Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Olmsted County set new records for employment and the size of the labor force last month.

The latest job statistics from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development show employment in the Rochester area rose to an estimated 85,815 jobs in June, while the labor force grew to just under 88,000. The previous records in both categories were set last July. The new employment mark is over 1,000 higher and the workforce total is over 750 above last summer’s peak.

Seasonal factors contributed to an increase in the unemployment rate in the Rochester area, which came in at 2.4-percent last month. That figure is up four-tenths of a point from May but is down six-tenths of a point when compared to June of last year. It’s also the lowest jobless rate for Olmsted County in the month of June since 1999.

Olmsted County continues to sport the lowest unemployment rate in the region, while Winona and Freeborn Counties had the highest at 3.1-percent. Every county reported higher jobless rates in June and the seven-tenths of a point increase reported by Winona County was the largest.

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