By Nick Dobbins
October 2021
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA lost 6,752 jobs (0.3%) over the month in September. It was the second worst monthly growth of any MSA in Minnesota. Leisure and Hospitality had the largest real and proportional declines, off 9,839 jobs (5.7%) over the month, in a month where the supersector regularly sees negative growth caused by the end of summer. Government employers posted the largest real and proportional growth, adding 12,083 jobs or 5.4%, with positive growth at all three levels of government.
Over the year metro area employers added 61,641 job or 3.3%. This was slightly worse than August's 3.8% growth and slightly worse than Minnesota's statewide September over-the-year growth of 3.9%. Six of 10 supersectors added jobs on the year, led by Leisure and Hospitality (up 17.2% or 23,963 jobs), Mining, Logging, and Construction (up 7.1%, 6,257 jobs), and Professional and Business Services (up 5.4%, 16,517 jobs). The largest over-the-year declines came in Information (down 5.9% or 1,905 jobs), Financial Activities (down 1.7%, 2,792 jobs), and Government (down 1.2%, 2,750 jobs).
The Duluth-Superior MSA added 2,143 jobs or 1.6% over the month in September. This was the largest proportional growth of any MSA primarily in Minnesota although behind the two shared North Dakota MSAs. Just three of 10 published supersectors had positive growth, but all three performed especially well. Government employers drove the growth, adding 1,943 jobs (8.4%) with State Government adding 1,150 jobs (18%), while Educational and Health Services added 658 jobs (2.1%) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities adding 212 jobs (0.9%). The largest real job loss came in Leisure and Hospitality, which was off by 252 or 1.7% as summer employment tapered off.
Over the year the Duluth area added 4,571 jobs or 3.6%. Leisure and Hospitality employment was up 12.6% (1,589 jobs), and Manufacturing employment was up 8.5% (648 jobs). Government employment was up 4.9% (1,170 jobs), with most of that growth coming at the Local level (up 7.2% or 1,063 jobs). Three supersectors posted negative annual growth, with Mining, Logging, and Construction showing the largest declines (off by 302 jobs or 3.1%).
The Rochester MSA lost 478 jobs (0.4%) in September. This was the worst over-the-month performance of any MSA in Minnesota. Nine of 10 posted supersectors lost jobs on the month, with the only positive growth coming in Educational and Health Services (up 267 or 0.5%). The largest proportional decline was in Mining, Logging, and Construction (off 1.8% or 100 jobs) while the largest real job loss was in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities which was down 262 jobs (1.5%), with most of that decline coming in Retail Trade (down 279, 2.3%).
Over the year the Rochester MSA added 4,636 jobs or 3.9%. It was the largest proportional increase of any MSA primarily in Minnesota. Leisure and Hospitality had the largest proportional increase, up 12.3% (1,182 jobs), and Educational and Health Services had the largest real employment increase, up 2,088 (4%). Two supersectors (Information and Financial Activities) posted negative annual growth, with both losing less than 100 jobs.
The St. Cloud MSA added 1,416 jobs (1.3%) over the month in September. The largest real and proportional change in any direction was in Government, which added 1,747 jobs or 12.9%. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 265 jobs (1.2%) while Mining, Logging, and Construction lost 230 (2.7%), and Manufacturing lost 169 (1.1%). Every other supersector posted absolute change of less than 100 jobs.
Over the year Saint Cloud added 1,931 jobs or 1.8%. It was the lowest proportional annual growth of any MSA primarily in Minnesota although Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, which is primarily in North Dakota, was lower. Leisure and Hospitality was down on the year, bucking the larger trend in dropping 376 jobs (5.3%) on the year. The largest proportional growth came in Mining, Logging, and Construction (up 6.8% or 535 jobs) while the largest real job growth came in Government (up 637 jobs or 4.3%).
The Mankato-North Mankato MSA added 824 jobs (1.5%) in September. Service providers added 914 jobs (2%) while goods producers lost 90 (0.9%).
Over the year the Mankato-North Mankato MSA added 1,087 jobs (2%). Private sector employers added 1,141 jobs (2.5%) while public sector employers lost 54 (0.6%).
The Fargo-Moorhead MSA added 3,225 jobs (2.3%) over the month in September. The growth was primarily in Government employment, which was up 3,232 (19.9%). State Government employment was up 26.2% (1,212 jobs), and Local Government employment was up 22.3% (2,018 jobs), most likely from school employment increasing for fall classes.
Over the year, the Fargo-Moorhead area added 5,608 jobs (4%). It was the largest proportional increase of any MSA in the state. Mining, Logging, and Construction was up 1,316 (14.1%), and Leisure and Hospitality was up 1,884 (15.7%).
The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA added 1,956 jobs (3.9%) over the month in September. It was the best monthly performance for any MSA in the state. Government employment was almost entirely responsible for the growth, adding 2,399 jobs (23.1%) while the rest of the industries combined to lose 443 jobs. Local Government employers added 1,692 jobs or 36%, presumably because of school employment.
Over the year the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA added 362 jobs or 0.7%, It was the lowest proportional over-the-year growth of any MSA in Minnesota. Leisure and Hospitality was up 16.7% (844 jobs), while Professional and Business Services employment was down 9.8% (337 jobs).
