Regional Analysis

By Amanda Rohrer- amanda.rohrer@state.mn.us
September 2009

Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA fell by 0.4 percent (7,100) over the month of August, and by 4 percent (71,800) over the year. Over the month the losses were concentrated in government employment, which fell 2.4 percent (5,400). Most losses were in local government employment (down 2.7 percent, 3,800), although state government education also fared poorly, losing 6.2 percent (2,500) over the month. In the private sector most of the over-the-month losses came from trade, transportation, and utilities which fell 0.7 percent (2,100) and from educational and health services which fell 0.4 percent (more than 900). Employment in the leisure and hospitality industry increased by nearly 1,300 over the month (0.8 percent) but was still down by 2.4 percent (4,100) over the year.

Duluth-Superior MSA

Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA declined 0.7 percent (950) over the month and 5.3 percent (7,050) over the year. Most of the annual losses were in the private sector which fell 6.6 percent (7,200), while over-the-month losses were much less represented (down 0.1 percent, 150). In the private sector none of the major industries saw gains or losses of greater than 1 percent over the month. Leisure and hospitality saw the most substantial losses, declining 1 percent (140) over the month. Government employment fell 3.2 percent (800) over the month, but was still up by 0.6 percent (150) over the year. Local government employment accounted for the majority of the losses and was down 3.4 percent (550) over the month.

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA fell 0.2 percent (210) over the month, contributing to a 2 percent (2,140) over-the-year loss. Private-sector employment was flat across the board with no industries experiencing a gain or a loss of even 1 percent. The most substantive numeric change was in educational and health services which fell 0.2 percent (nearly 70). In contrast, over-the-year losses are still significant and concentrated in manufacturing (down 11.1 percent, 1,380) and in trade, transportation, and utilities (down 2.5 percent, 210). Government employment fell 2.2 percent (220) over the month with most of the losses stemming from local government employment which fell 2 percent (more than 150).

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA declined 0.5 percent (450) over the month of August and 3.7 percent (3,800) over the year. The losses were concentrated in the service-providing industries, including all levels of government, which lost 0.5 percent of employment (more than 400) over the month. In the private sector, educational and health services (down 0.9 percent, 160) and financial activities (down 0.3 percent, more than 10) were the hardest-hit industries, while leisure and hospitality (up 0.7 percent, nearly 70) and professional and business services (up 0.5, more than 40) fared better. In the private sector only leisure and hospitality showed employment gains over the year and was up 2.9 percent (nearly 280). Government employment fell by 2.7 percent (more than 350), driven equally by losses in state and local government.

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA declined 0.2 percent (270) over the month and 0.3 percent (400) over the year. The over-the-month decline was disproportionately borne by government employment, which fell 0.7 percent (100). State government employment fell 2.7 percent (180), while local government employment grew 1.5 percent (100). Over the year, government employment grew 6 percent (870) compared to a private-sector loss of 1.2 percent (1,280). Although over-the-month losses in the private sector were only 0.2 percent (160), a few industries saw particularly substantial losses. Trade, transportation, and utilities fell 1 percent (260), and financial activities fell 1.7 percent (160), while mining, logging, and construction gained 1.7 percent (150), and educational and health services gained 1 percent (180).

Grand Forks MSA

Employment in the Grand Forks MSA declined 0.3 percent (140) over the month and by 0.7 percent (380) over the year. Government employment declined 0.7 percent (90) over the month but gained 1 percent (110) over the year. The most substantial changes were in local government employment which fell 1.9 percent (80) over the month. The most significant change in employment in private-sector industries was positive: leisure and hospitality gained 1.6 percent (90). Financial activities fell 1.4 percent (20), and other services fell by 1.1 percent (20), while all other industries saw changes of less than 1 percent over the month.