Rochester Jobless Rate Below 2% For First Time in 3-Years

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The unemployment rate in the Rochester area has dipped below 2-percent for the first time in 3-years.

The latest jobs report from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the jobless rate in Olmsted County dropped 3-tenths of a percentage point from October to 1.8-percent in November. It marked the first time since November 2018 the rate has been under 2-percent and matched the rate reported 3-years ago. A year ago, the unemployment rate for Olmsted County was 3.4-percent.

Across southeastern Minnesota, three other counties had lower rates than Olmsted County. Winona, Fillmore, and Houston County all reported unemployment rates of 1.7 percent. Wabasha County was the only county to report an increase, with its jobless rate rising a tenth of a point to 2-percent, while Freeborn County had the highest rate at 2.1 percent.