by Nick Dobbins
February 2016
Monthly analysis is based on unadjusted employment data.
Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA was down in January, losing 37,362 jobs (1.9 percent). While this decline appears sizeable, it is important to note that steep employment declines are common in January as employers cut back some of the workforce they had built up for the holiday season. In fact, the 1.9 percent decrease matches January 2013 as the smallest proportional January decline for the metro area since at least 1990, the oldest published data. As expected, the biggest loss came in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which shed 9,491 jobs (2.7 percent) with the lion’s share of that coming from Retail Trade (down 6,357, 3.4 percent). Annually, employment in the MSA remains up, adding 33,120 jobs (1.8 percent) from January 2015 estimates. The only supersector to lose jobs over that period was Information, where employment dropped by just 63 total jobs (0.2 percent). Large increases came in Educational and Health Services (up 11,826 or 3.8 percent) and Leisure and Hospitality (up 5,844 or 3.5 percent) among others. The Leisure and Hospitality gains were driven by a substantial increase of 4,275 jobs (8.4 percent) in Limited-Service Eating Places, a sector made up primarily of fast food, carryout, and delivery restaurants.
The Duluth-Superior MSA lost 3,921 jobs (2.9 percent) in January with declines in eight of nine published supersectors, Educational and Health Services adding 67 jobs or 0.2 percent. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities dropped 1,565 jobs (5.9 percent), and Government employers lost 906 (3.4 percent) with State Government dropping 447 (5.9 percent) and Local Government losing 453 (2.6 percent). This reflects the larger statewide trend in January, with Government employers losing more total jobs than any supersector save Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, with State and Local employers driving that decline. Annually, employment in the Duluth MSA is also down with the area shedding 2,358 jobs (1.8 percent). Mining, Logging, and Construction led the declines, down 1,137 jobs (12.9 percent) on the year, with Manufacturing losing 671 jobs (9.2 percent) and other smaller declines spread among a variety of industry groups. Duluth was the only MSA in Minnesota to lose jobs on the year.
Employment in the Rochester MSA was down in January as the area lost 1,269 jobs (1.1 percent). The only area to gain employment for the month was Manufacturing which added 26 jobs (0.2 percent). Mining, Logging, and Construction lost 310 jobs (7.4 percent), and Professional and Business Services, another big job loser statewide, lost 268 (4.8 percent). Annually, Rochester added 2,813 jobs (2.5 percent). Educational and Health Services drove that gain, adding 2,248 jobs (5 percent) with Trade, Transportation, and Utilities chipping in another 693 (3.9 percent). Leisure and Hospitality lost 360 jobs (3.7 percent) on the year, and Professional and Business Services lost 295 (5.3 percent), making them the biggest losers of the bunch.
The St. Cloud MSA lost 2,393 jobs (2.2 percent) in January. The only supersector to add employment was Other Services, and that industry gained just 14 jobs (0.4 percent). Government employers lost 714 jobs (4.4 percent), and Mining, Logging, and Construction lost 441 (7.1 percent). Over the year St. Cloud added 2,551 jobs (2.4 percent). Educational and Health Services added 737 jobs (3.6 percent), while Mining, Logging, and Construction added 671 (13.2 percent).
Employment in the Mankato-North Mankato MSA was down by 1,382 jobs (2.4 percent) in January. Private employers lost 985 jobs (2.1 percent), and Government employers lost 397 (4.2 percent). Goods Producers lost 285 jobs (2.9 percent), and Service Providers shed 1,097 jobs (2.3 percent). Annually, Mankato added 1,014 jobs (1.9 percent), all of it from Service Providers, who added 1,204 (2.7 percent) while Goods Producers lost 190 jobs (2 percent). Government employment is also down on the year, off 24 (0.3 percent) from January 2015.
Employment in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA was down sharply in January as the area shed 4,018 jobs (2.8 percent), with every published supersector losing employment. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost the most in actual employment, down 1,181 (3.7 percent), while Government and Leisure and Hospitality had larger proportional declines, with each down 4.3 percent (801 and 624 jobs, respectively). Over the year the area added 3,523 jobs (2.6 percent). Manufacturing (down 141, 0.8 percent) and Other Services (down 76, 1.4 percent) were the only supersectors to see an employment decline. Professional and Business Services added 1,289 jobs (8.4 percent).
Employment in the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA dropped by 1,075 jobs (1.9 percent) in January. Mining, Logging, and Construction had the largest proportional decline, off 336 jobs or 10 percent. Over the year, employment in the area increased by 128 jobs (0.2 percent). Mining, Logging, and Construction was up 321 jobs (11.9 percent) while Government was down 381 (2.6 percent).
