by Amanda Rohrer
August 2013
Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.
Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA fell 0.6 percent (11,297) over the month but increased 3.7 percent (64,443) over the year. On the whole, Private Sector industries saw moderate gains of less than 1.0 percent over the month. Manufacturing (down 0.2 percent, 420), Educational and Health Services (down 0.5 percent, 1,352), and Mining, Logging, and Construction (up 3.5 percent, 2,361) were the only exceptions. The driving force behind the decline was Government employment with an overall loss of 6.1 percent (14,839), largely coming from Local Government Educational Services (down 20.8 percent, 17,940). Despite the large monthly loss, which was seasonally appropriate for the industry, Local Government Education was still up 14.4 percent (8,609) over the year.
Employment in the Duluth-Superior MSA declined 1.4 percent (1,799) over the month and increased 0.5 percent (632) over the year. The declines were driven by Public Sector losses with Local Government in particular falling 11.9 percent (2,081) over the month. While substantial, this is a seasonal decrease stemming from layoffs during the summer when schools are not in session and is more moderate than the five-year average July decline of 12.1 percent. In contrast, the Private Sector saw growth both over the month (up 0.4 percent, 461) and over the year (up 0.6 percent, 678). Most Private industries saw small gains or losses with the exceptions of Mining, Logging, and Construction (up 2.5 percent, 202) and Leisure and Hospitality (up 2.0 percent, 290).
In the Rochester MSA employment fell 0.4 percent (430) over the month but was up 0.5 percent (493) over the year. On the whole, Private Sector industries saw increases. There were significant over-the-month changes in Mining, Logging, and Construction (up 3.1 percent, 109), Manufacturing (up 2.0 percent, 202), and in Educational and Health Services (up 0.5 percent, 233). The losses came from Government: Local Government fell 8.0 percent (666), while State Government employment fell 4.0 percent (63). Particularly in Local Government the losses are seasonal losses related to schools. Over the year Private employment is up 1.0 percent (926) but Government employment is down 4.1 percent (433).
Employment in the St. Cloud MSA fell 0.8 percent (795) over the month but increased 3.0 percent (2,971) over the year. Again, the major losses came in Government (down 6.7 percent, 1,023), but in contrast to other metros the largest percentage losses were in State Government (down 10.2 percent, 400). The bulk of summer losses for State Government in St. Cloud usually come in June, but sometimes, as in 2013, they are spread across June and July. In the Private Sector most industries saw slight gains or losses with the exception of Mining, Logging, and Utilities (up 3.2 percent, 201). Over the year the industry has been growing as well, with a gain of 19.0 percent (1,029).
Employment in the Mankato-North Mankato MSA fell 2.1 percent (1,145) over the month and was up 1.7 percent (903) over the year. Government was down 12.1 percent (1,094) over the month and down 5.1 percent (428) over the year. Only Goods Producing industries saw a monthly gain (up 0.4 percent, 43), although all but Government were up over the year.
Fargo-Moorhead MSA employment fell 1.3 percent (1,786) over the month but increased 3.3 percent (4,177) over the year. Mining, Logging, and Construction employment increased 6.2 percent (592) over the month and 22.3 percent (1,840) over the year. All other Private industries saw moderate gains or losses of less than 1.0 percent over the month. Over the year Administrative and Support Services increased 16.7 percent (1,046), a significantly larger change than any other industry except Mining, Logging, and Construction. Local Government employment fell 22.3 percent (2,095) over the month, but was up 2.3 percent (165) over the year. Seasonal declines in school employment are likely responsible for the monthly decline.
Employment in the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA fell 3.1 percent (1,746) over the month and increased 1.2 percent (616) over the year. Mining, Logging, and Construction was strongest over the month (up 4.7 percent, 161). Over the year the strongest industries were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (up 4.7 percent, 550) and Mining, Logging, and Construction (up 4.7 percent, 161), although all the gains in that industry occurred over the month. The overall decline stemmed largely from Local Government (down 29.4 percent, 1,747), likely a seasonal decline from schools' letting out for the summer.
