SE Minnesota Experienced Higher Unemployment in December

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - It is believed seasonal factors were largely to blame for a rise in the unemployment rate in the Rochester area last month.

The latest jobs data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development show the jobless rate for Olmsted County rose from 1.4% in November to 1.8% last month. A year ago, the unemployment rate, locally, was 1.9%. The increase followed a drop in November to a level that tied the previous record low unemployment rate for Rochester that was set in the late 1990s.

Across the region, every county reported higher jobless rates in December. Olmsted County's rate was the lowest, while Dodge and Goodhue Counties were tied for the highest rates at 2.6%. Dodge County also reported the largest increase. Its jobless rate jumped a full percentage point from November.