Rochester Saw Sizable Uptick in Unemployment in June

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Seasonal factors often lead to slight increases in the unemployment rate during the early summer, but the increase in the Rochester area this year was significantly larger than in recent years.

The latest jobs data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development show the jobless rate for Olmsted County rose from 2.6 percent in May to 3.2 percent in June. Over the past three years the May to June increase has been in the 1-tenth to 3-tenth of a point range. This year’s unemployment rate for June is also up a tenth of a point when compared to June of last year.

The data also shows total employment in Olmsted County this year was nearly steady when compared to a year ago, while the local labor force grew to 82,550. That figure is over 600 above the level reported last June and is approaching the record high hit last August.

Across the region, unemployment rates were higher in every county. The biggest increases were reported by Goodhue and Winona Counties at 9-tenths of a point, while Winona County had the highest rate in the region at 4.2-percent.