Rochester Jobless Rate Hits Highest December Level Since 2020

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Seasonal factors contributed to a rise in unemployment across southeastern Minnesota last month.

The latest jobs data published by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the jobless rate for the Rochester area increased by two-tenths of a percentage point from November to 3.1% last month. It was the highest unemployment rate reported in Olmsted County for the month of December since the pandemic in 2020, when the rate stood at 4.1%. It was also more than a full percentage point higher than the jobless rate recorded in December 2024.

Jobs and Workers Increase

The state agency reported the employment total for Olmsted County last month was just over 93,700, down slightly from the previous month but up by nearly 2,300 jobs when compared to the previous December. Meanwhile, the size of the local labor force increased by about 3,400 workers over the 12-month period, reaching nearly 96,700 in December.

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Regionwide Unemployment

Across the region, every county reported higher unemployment rates. Olmsted County recorded the lowest jobless rate, while the highest was found in Goodhue County at 4.4%. The largest percentage increase in unemployment occurred in Fillmore County, where the jobless rate jumped from 2.9% in November to 4.1% last month.