Regional Analysis

by Nick Dobbins
January 2025

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Employment in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MSA was off by 13,284 jobs or 0.7% over the month in December. This was in line with the statewide movement, which was also a loss of 0.7%. The steepest declines were in Mining, Logging, and Construction, which was off by 5,682 jobs or 6.4%. Other Services was down 3,989 jobs (5.2%), and Leisure and Hospitality was down 2,603 or 1.5%. Overall, eight of 10 published supersectors in the area lost jobs on the month. The only two with positive employment growth were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (up 2,834 jobs or 0.8%, with growth in all three component sectors) and Educational and Health Services (up 1,167 jobs or 0.3%, from the addition of 2,254 jobs or 0.7% in Health Care and Social Assistance). 

Over the year employers in the metro area lost 4,709 jobs or 0.2%. Professional and Business Services was off 14,481 jobs or 4.9%, caused in large part by the loss of 8,852 jobs (9.8%) in Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services. Other Services lost 4,989 jobs or 6.4%, the largest proportional loss of any supersector. Overall, seven of 10 published supersectors in the area lost jobs on the year. The largest real and proportional positive growth in the area was in Educational and Health Services, which added 23,571 jobs or 6.5%. The growth came entirely from Health Care and Social Assistance, which was up 24,108 jobs (7.6%), while Educational Services lost 537 jobs or 1.1%. 

Duluth-Superior MSA

The Duluth-Superior MSA lost 868 jobs (0.7%) over the month of December, the same level as the state. Five supersectors added jobs, four lost jobs, and one (Information) held steady on the month. The largest declines were in Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 338 jobs or 3.8%), Government (down 485 jobs or 2.1%), and Other Services (down 138 jobs, 2.1%). The largest real and proportional gain was in Educational and Health Services, which added 228 jobs or 0.7%. 

Over the year employers in the Duluth-Superior area lost 392 jobs or 0.3%. This was the lowest over-the-year growth of any MSA in Minnesota. Government employers lost 1,057 jobs (4.4%) caused primarily by the decline of 1,067 (6.8%) in Local Government employment. The largest proportional job loss was in Mining, Logging, and Construction, which was off by 6.6% or 607 jobs. The largest real and proportional job growth occurred in Educational and Health Services, which added 1,796 jobs or 5.7%. 

Rochester MSA

Employment in the Rochester MSA was up by 1,550 (1.2%) in December. This was the highest proportional growth of any MSA in Minnesota. Eight of 10 published supersectors lost jobs, but the declines were more than overcome by the addition of 2,017 jobs (3.2%) in Educational and Health Services. The largest job losses were in Mining, Logging, and Construction (down 257 jobs or 5%) and Leisure and Hospitality (down 126 jobs or 1.2%). 

Over the year employers in the Rochester MSA added 8,726 jobs or 6.9%. This was the highest proportional annual growth of any MSA in the state. As was the case with monthly growth, the annual changes were driven by Educational and Health Services, which added 9,347 jobs or 16.6%. The steepest proportional decline was in Information (down 34.9% or 384 jobs), and the largest real job loss was in Leisure and Hospitality (down 400 jobs or 3.7%). 

St. Cloud MSA

Employment in the St. Cloud MSA was off by 794 (0.7%) over the month of December. Mining, Logging, and Construction lost 443 jobs (5.5%), the largest real and proportional decline of any supersector in the area. Government employers lost 248 jobs (1.5%) thanks to the decline of 372 (9.5%) in State Government employment. The largest real and proportional growth in the area was in Educational and Health Services, which added 90 jobs or 0.4% 

On an annual basis St. Cloud employers added 667 jobs or 0.6%. Educational and Health Services employment was up 1,114 or 4.9%, the largest real job growth of any supersector. Government employment was up 5.2% (793 jobs), due primarily to the addition of 827 jobs (9%) in Local Government. Leisure and Hospitality lost 509 jobs (6.5%), the largest real and proportional decline of any supersector. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost 358 jobs (1.5%) with Retail Trade off by 322 jobs (2.4%). Financial Activities lost 164 jobs or 3.1%. 

Mankato-North Mankato MSA

The Mankato-North Mankato MSA lost 436 jobs (0.7%) in December, in line with statewide employment growth. All published series lost jobs. Goods producers lost 179 jobs (1.7%), and service providers lost 257 jobs (0.5%). 

Over the year employers in Mankato-North Mankato added 1,904 jobs (3.3%), outpacing statewide growth. Goods producers lost 229 jobs (2.2%), but service providers added 2,133 jobs (4.5%). Private sector employment was up 766 (1.6%), and public sector employment was up 1,138 (12%).

Fargo-Moorhead MSA

The Fargo-Moorhead MSA lost 61 jobs (0.0%) over the month in December. Eight of 10 published supersectors had positive monthly growth, but those gains were erased by the loss of 664 jobs or 6.2% in Mining, Logging, and Construction. Manufacturing also lost 48 jobs or 0.4%. The largest real job growth came in Financial Activities (up 195 jobs or 1.9%), and the largest proportional growth was in Information (up 2.1%, or 49 jobs). 

Over the year employers in the Fargo-Moorhead MSA added 2,916 jobs or 1.9%. Five supersectors added jobs, and five lost jobs on the year. Government employers added 1,271 jobs or 6.1%, the largest proportional growth of any supersector. Local Government employers drove the growth, adding 968 jobs or 7.9%. The largest real job growth was in Educational and Health Services, which added 1,273 jobs or 4.3% with growth in both major component sectors. 

Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA

Employers in the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA lost 136 jobs (0.2%) in December. Mining, Logging, and Construction was down 146 jobs (4.4%), and Government employment was down 142 jobs (1%). The largest real and proportional monthly job growth was in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which added 169 jobs or 1.5% on the strength of 168 new jobs in the Retail Trade component sector (up 2.4%). 

Over the year employers in the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MSA added 929 jobs or 1.7%. Government employment was up 537 jobs (3.9%), and Education, and Health Services was up 339 jobs or 3.6%. The largest declines in the metro came in the Leisure and Hospitality supersector, which lost 276 jobs (4.9%) with declines in both major component sectors