Rochester Jobless Rate Higher in October – First Time in a Decade

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester area experienced an increase in its unemployment rate last month during a time of the year when seasonal factors usually push the rate lower.

The latest jobs data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the unemployment rate for Olmsted County in October was 2.2%. That was up a tenth of a percentage point from September and was two-tenths of a point higher than the rate reported for October of last year.

The data from October 2022 indicates the seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell three-tenths of a point when compared to the previous month It also shows the last time the rate increased from September to October in Olmsted County was in 2012 when the unemployment rate was steady at 4%.

The data shows every county across southeastern Minnesota also reported slightly higher unemployment rates. Mower County and the highest jobless rate at 2.5%, while Dodge County reported the largest increase, with its unemployment rate rising three-tenths of a percentage point to 2.4%.

Fillmore County reported the lowest jobless rate in the region. Its rate was up a tenth of a percentage point from September at 2.1%.