Rochester Area October Jobless Rate is Lowest Since 1999

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The unemployment rate in the Rochester area last month fell to a level that has not been seen in almost 18 years.

The latest jobs statistics from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development put the jobless rate for Olmsted County in October at only 2-percent. That is the lowest it has been since November 1999 when the unemployment rate was 1.9-percent. The lowest rate found on the state database, going back to 1990, is 1.4-percent in October, November, and December 1998

Last month’s unemployment rate for Olmsted County was down four-tenths of a point from September, and eight-tenths of a point when compared to October of last year.

It was not the lowest in the region. Mower County had that distinction in October with an unemployment rate of only 1.9-percent, which was down four-tenths of a point from September. The biggest drop in the region occurred in Winona County, where the jobless rate fell seven-tenths of a point to 2.1-percent.

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Click HERE to check out the latest list of Olmsted County's Most Wanted. You're asked to watch the video and contact the Sheriff's Department if you recognize some and have information that would be useful to investigators. Please, DO NOT try to apprehend any of these individuals.