Regional Analysis

by Amanda Rohrer - amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
October 2009

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA declined over the month by 0.2 percent (nearly 3,000) and 4.1 percent (73,500) over the year. Over-the-month employment in leisure and hospitality declined 2.7 percent (more than 4,400), professional and business services fell by 1.1 percent (2,600), and trade, transportation, and utilities fell 0.7 percent (2,400), while educational and health services employment grew 0.6 percent (1,600). Manufacturing employment declined by only 0.2 percent (over 300), while in September it typically falls 1 percent (2,100). Government employment grew 3.7 percent (8,300) over the month. State government employment growth was most substantial, increasing 8 percent (5,200), largely a result of universities' resuming classes, but local government employment also grew 2.3 percent (3,200) over the month.

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA grew 1.5 percent (1,840) over the month but declined 4.5 percent (6,060) over the year. Hardest hit were leisure and hospitality, which declined 5.2 percent (740) over the month, and other services, which declined 1.9 percent (110) over the month. Educational and health services gained 1.2 percent (350) over the month, while most other industries had changes of less than 1 percent. Government employment grew 10.3 percent (2,480) over the month, but fell 1 percent (270) over the year. The monthly gains were in state government employment (up 14.4 percent, 970) and in local government employment (up 2.7 percent, 1,530).

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA declined 0.9 percent (930) over the month and 1.9 percent (2,010) over the year. The monthly losses were primarily from the private service-providing industries. Employment in educational and health services fell 1.1 percent (490) and leisure and hospitality fell 5.7 percent (540) over the month. There was a gain in transportation, warehousing, and utilities employment of 5.8 percent (130) and a loss in retail trade employment of 1.6 percent (180), but most other private sector industries saw more moderate employment changes. Government employment grew 3.4 percent (350) over the month. Local Government employment gained 3.4 percent (260) over the month, driving the change.

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA grew 0.2 percent (220) over the month of September, but over the year was still down 3.9 percent (4,000). In the private sector there was an over-the-month decline of 0.6 percent (more than 500). Mining, logging, and construction employment fell 3.6 percent (170), and manufacturing fell 0.7 percent (more than 100). With the exception of leisure and hospitality, which fell 2.4 percent (230), all other industries saw overall changes of less than 1 percent either up or down. Government employment increased 5.7 percent (730) over the month. Monthly gains were proportionately split between local government (up 7 percent, 500) and state government (up 6.5 percent, 260).

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA grew 2.2 percent (2,600) over the month and declined 1 percent (1,300) over the year. Employment growth was mostly in government, which increased 16.9 percent (2,600) over the month. Local government employment grew 22.9 percent (1,550), and state government employment grew 16.2 percent (1,030). Government employment growth is largely from seasonal changes and the start of the academic year. Private-sector employment was mostly flat, but mining, logging, and construction employment declined 2.7 percent (230) and financial activities employment declined 1.5 percent (140).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA grew 4.6 percent (2,400) over the month of September but declined 1.7 percent (920) over the year. Most of the growth stemmed from government employment, which was up 20 percent (2,300). Local government employment grew 39 percent (1,500), while state government employment grew 13 percent (more than 800). Government employment growth was largely caused by seasonal changes and the start of the academic year. Mining, logging, and construction employment declined 4 percent (110), while manufacturing employment grew 1.5 percent (50), and leisure and hospitality employment grew 1.4 percent (80).