Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester-area economy continues to show signs of strength, with the local job market setting new records in July.

The latest jobs data published by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows overall employment and the size of the labor force in Olmsted County hit new record highs last month. For the first time ever, overall employment has risen above 94,000.

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The report put the employment total at 94,657 in July. That represents an increase of nearly 670 jobs from June and is up by 4,000 jobs, or nearly 4.3%, compared to July 2024.

The size of Olmsted County’s labor force continues to edge closer to 100,000. Minnesota DEED reported the labor force rose to 97,530 in July, surpassing the previous record high of nearly 96,900 set in June. A year ago, the local labor force measured about 93,400.

The Rochester-area unemployment rate dipped slightly last month. The 2.9% rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point from June but was one-tenth of a point higher than the jobless rate from July of last year.

ALSO SEE: Rochester Sees Strongest Job Growth in Minnesota Again

Across southeastern Minnesota, other counties reported steady or slightly higher unemployment rates in July. Olmsted County continued to have the lowest jobless rate in the region, while Goodhue County reported the highest last month at 4%.

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