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The August unemployment rate for the State of MN was reported at 5.9%. This is an increase of 0.1% from the the July 2012 rate and is the second consecutive month with a rate increase. In August there were (just) over 175,000 individuals unemployed in Minnesota. This is an increase of about 2,700 over the prior month. Also, the number of employed workers also dropped by 6,000 to approximately 2.79 Million. This, together with a corresponding decrease of roughly 3,300 in the total civilian workforce caused the slight 0.1% rise in this month's rate.

When we compare to a year ago, the current unemployment rate is 0.6% lower than the August 2011 rate of 6.5%. Back in 2011 there were about 193,000 unemployed workers in the state. This is about 18,000 more unemployed than the current month. There are about 8,200 more individuals employed in Minnesota in August 2012 over August 2011. Coupled with 9,600 fewer workers in the total workforce results in the lower unemployment rate over the past year in MN. Also, the current 5.9% unemployment rate is the highest in Minnesota since November 2011.

Minnesota is not alone. Many others state in the area have also seen their unemployment rates rise recently. Wisconsin's unemployment rate went up 0.2% in August to it's highest rate in a year (7.5% in August 2011). Iowa's rate also went up 0.2% in August to 5.5%. South Dakota's rate was up 0.1% to 4.5% for the month. The State of Illinois was also higher at 9.1% in August. The only exception to this pattern was North Dakota who's rate in August was static at just 3.0%. However, Minnesota's unemployment rate is still much lower than the national August 2012 average of 8.1%.

We can also look at the major business sector numbers for MN in August. Areas with positive employment numbers included Information, Leisure & Hospitality, Education & Health Services, and a big increase in Government. Areas with positive employment numbers included Manufacturing, Mining and Logging, Construction, Trade Transportation and Utilities, and Professional & Business Services. The area with the biggest gain over the past 12 months was Professional & Business Services (up 4.1%). The area with the biggest loss was in the past year was Leisure & Hospitality (down -3.6%). The biggest employment major business sector in Minnesota in August was Trade, Transportation, and Utilities at about 494,000 employed.

Next month we'll look at the September 2012 employment statistics for the State of MN. We'll review the State's business sectors and patterns, and how it compares to neighboring states and the nation. As always, please remember that previously released employment numbers may be adjusted at a later date.