By Nick Dobbins
December 2020
Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA lost 11,482 jobs (0.6%) over the month in November, slightly better than the state’s 0.7% decline. Monthly losses were largely driven by two supersectors that often see seasonal declines in the fall; Mining, Logging, and Construction was off by 5,150 jobs (6.1%), and Leisure and Hospitality was off by 9,786 (6.5%), with declines in both component sectors. Government, Other Services, Manufacturing, and Information also saw declines in November. The largest real and proportional monthly growth came in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which added 4,754 jobs (1.4%) with growth in all three major component sectors. Growth in this supersector is common this time of year, as holiday shopping drives seasonal employment spikes in Retail Trade and Transportation and Warehousing.
Over the year the metro area lost 132,551 jobs (6.5%). This was slightly worse than October’s 6.2% over-the-year decline. The biggest losses in both real and proportional terms continued to be in Leisure and Hospitality, which was off by 46,852 jobs or 24.9%. Government employers shed 21,220 jobs or 8.3 percent, a slight worsening in that supersector which was likely due at least in part to continued drawing down of Census employees at the Federal Government level (down 0.4% over-the-year after being up 2.7% in October). Financial Activities had the lowest annual losses, down 2,086 jobs or 1.3%.
The Duluth-Superior MSA lost 1,604 jobs or 1.3%, in November. It was the worst over-the-month job growth of any MSA primarily in Minnesota. Leisure and Hospitality drove the declines, off by 1,671 jobs or 15.6%, as a combination of early winter weather and tightened COVID-19 restrictions brought down employment in the supersector. Mining, Logging, and Construction, another highly seasonal supersector, lost 649 jobs or 7%. Five supersectors added jobs in November, with Educational and Health Services and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities both up 1.2% (377 jobs and 293 jobs, respectively).
Over the year the Duluth area lost 12,174 jobs (8.8%). It was the worst over-the-year performance of any MSA primarily in Minnesota. Every supersector in the area lost jobs over the year, with the largest real and proportional declines coming in Leisure and Hospitality (down 5,043 or 35.7%). The strongest annual growth was in Professional and Business Services, which lost 85 jobs or 1.1%.
Employment in the Rochester MSA was down by 170 (0.1%) in November, slightly better than the statewide loss of 0.7%. Growth in Government (up 631 or 5%), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (up 532 or 3%) was offset by losses in Leisure and Hospitality (down 550 or 6%), Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 358, 6.3%), and Manufacturing (down 287, 2.6%). Six of the 10 published supersectors lost jobs on the month.
Over the year the Rochester area lost 6,504 jobs (5.2%). Seven of 10 published supersectors lost jobs, led by Leisure and Hospitality (down 2,561 or 22.8%) and Educational and Health Services (down 3,505 or 6.8%). The largest positive growth came in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, up 764 jobs or 4.4%.
The St. Cloud MSA lost 649 jobs (0.6%) in November. The largest decline in real and proportional terms was in Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 482 jobs or 6%). Trade, Transportation, and Utilities and Educational and Health Services had the two largest real increases, up 153 and 129 jobs, respectively (0.6% for both).
Over the year the St. Cloud area lost 4,366 jobs (3.9%). This was the best over-the-year change of any MSA primarily in Minnesota and tied with Fargo-Moorhead, well outpacing the state’s 6.4% decline. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 921 jobs (3.9%) on the year, with most of that coming in Retail Trade, while Mining, Logging, and Construction added 360 jobs (5.1%). The largest decline was in Leisure and Hospitality, down 2,126 jobs or 27%.
The Mankato-North Mankato MSA added 165 jobs (0.3%) in November. It was the best over-the-month job growth of any MSA primarily in Minnesota. Goods producers lost 100 jobs (2.5%), while service providers added 265 (0.6%). Over the year the MSA lost 2,682 jobs (4.4%). The private sector bore all of those losses, off by 2,746 (5.4%) while public sector employers added 64 jobs (0.6%).
The Fargo-Moorhead MSA lost 867 jobs (0.6%) in November. Of the 10 published supersectors five lost jobs and five added jobs, but the declines tended to be larger than the increases. Professional and Business Services lost 412 jobs (2.8%), and Leisure and Hospitality lost 271 (2.1%), while the largest increases came in Financial Activities (up 42 jobs or 0.4%) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (up 93 or 0.3%).
Over the year the MSA lost 5,820 jobs or 3.9%, tying it with St. Cloud for the lowest over-the-year declines of any area in the state. Leisure and Hospitality lost 2,238 jobs (15.2%), the largest real and proportional declines of any supersector. Educational and Health Services was the only supersector to add jobs, up 86 or 0.3%.
The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA lost 198 jobs (0.4%) in November. Mining, Logging, and Construction had the largest real and proportional declines, down 167 jobs or 5.7%. The largest increase came in Government, which added 254 jobs or 2%.
Over the year the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA lost 2,599 jobs (4.6%). Three supersectors added jobs with Manufacturing leading the way, up 429 or 9%. The largest decline was in Leisure and Hospitality, which was down 16.4% or 971 jobs. Government employers lost 1,148 jobs (8.1%).
