Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The unemployment rate in the Rochester has dipped below 2-percent for the first time in almost 20-years. The latest job market statistics from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development put the jobless rate for Olmsted County at just 1.8-percent last month. It was down two-tenths of a point from August and six-tenths of a point below the rate from September of last year.

The rate has not been this low since October of 1999 and the last time it was below 2-percent was November 1999. Looking back to 1990, the unemployment rate in Olmsted County has been below 2-percent during fewer than 20 months. The lowest jobless rate was recorded in October, November, and December 1998 when it bottomed out at only 1.4-percent.

Across the region, every county saw a drop in unemployment while Olmsted and Houston Counties were tied for the lowest jobless rate at 1.8-percent. The biggest drop was reported by Wabasha County, where the rate was down a half-point to 2-percent. The highest rate in the region was found in Freeborn County at only 2.4-percent.

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