Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Seasonal factors normally lead to an increase in unemployment rates at the end of the year, but the increase last month in the Rochester area was a little larger than it has been in recent years.

The latest data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the jobless rate for Olmsted County rose a half-point from November and the three-percent rate was up four-tenths of a point when compared to December 2015.

Despite the larger than normal increase, Olmsted County’s unemployment rate remained the lowest in the region last month. Houston County reported the highest jobless rate at 4.5-percent, while Fillmore County experienced the largest increase. It’s unemployment rate shot up 1.2 percentage points to 4.4-percent.

More From KROC-AM