Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
May 2010

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA grew by 1.4 percent (22,590) over the month of April but was still down 1.7 percent (28,940) over the year. Government employment grew 0.4 percent (880) over the month, but declined 1.5 percent (3,720) over the year. The bulk of the gains came from federal government employment (up 4.2 percent, 900) – largely temporary Census workers. State government gains were balanced out by local government losses of 0.1 percent (150), more moderate than the average April losses of 0.5 percent. In the private sector only financial activities lost jobs as an industry (down 0.8 percent, 1,050), while the largest monthly gains were in mining, logging, and construction (up 7.9 percent, 3,190) and in leisure and hospitality (up 5.6 percent, 8,170).

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA increased 2 percent (2,530) over the month but declined 0.4 percent (570) over the year. Government employment increased 2.6 percent (710) over the month and 0.1 percent (40) over the year. The majority of these gains were in federal government employment (up 23.7 percent, 480), largely a result of temporary Census employment. While most private sector industries also saw moderate monthly gains, the largest came from leisure and hospitality (up 4.9 percent, 620) and mining, logging, and construction (up 9.4 percent, 500). Only financial activities saw employment declines, both over the month (down 0.5 percent, 30) and over the year (down 3.9 percent, 215).

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA increased 1.5 percent (1,490) over the month and 0.1 percent (70) over the year. Private employment increased 1.5 percent (1,330) over the month and declined 0.5 percent (430) over the year. While the gains were fairly evenly distributed over various industries, the largest percentage gains came from leisure and hospitality (up 3 percent, 250) and mining, logging, and construction (up 11.7 percent, 300). Only financial activities employment was down over the month by 0.9 percent (30). Government employment was up 1.4 percent (160) over the month and 4.5 percent (500) over the year. Most of the gain came from local government employment, up 1.9 percent (160) over the month and 6 percent (510) over the year.

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA grew by 1.5 percent (1,500) over the month and 0.5 percent (470) over the year. The monthly gains were proportionately split between the public and private sectors, with government employment growing 1.3 percent (220) over the month. Over the year, gains were driven by government employment, which was up 4.7 percent (780). Most private industries saw moderate monthly gains with the exception of financial activities, which declined 0.5 percent (20). The largest monthly gains were in trade, transportation, and utilities (up 2.1 percent, 420) and in mining, logging, and construction (up 9.7 percent, 340). Most private sector industries, however, were still down moderately over the year.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA increased 1.3 percent (1,520) over the month and 0.5 percent (560) over the year. Government employment grew 0.9 percent (170) over the month and 1.7 percent (300) over the year. The largest monthly gain was from federal government temporary Census hiring, which raised employment in that industry by 4 percent (90). Most private industry employment was relatively flat, but manufacturing employment fell by 0.6 percent (50) and information fell by 0.8 percent (30), while there were much larger gains in mining, logging, and construction (up 12.2 percent, 640) and in leisure and hospitality (up 1.9 percent, 250).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA grew 0.4 percent (200) over the month, and 0.7 percent (350) over the year. Government employment fared slightly better, growing by 0.6 percent (80) over the month and 2.3 percent (320) over the year. Most of the monthly gain was a result of temporary Census hiring by the federal government (up 6.1 percent, 90) over the month. In the private sector most industries saw moderate over-the-month gains. The largest changes were in leisure and hospitality (down 4.5 percent, 260) and mining, logging, and construction (up 11.7 percent, 250).

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