State jobless rate at all-time low

Help wanted signs are not expected to go away any time soon.

The Minnesota Department of Economic Security released June unemployment statistics last week that show Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.3 percent in June, an all-time low for the state.

June numbers were also below the revised May rate of 3.1 percent and lower than last year's 3.0 percent unemployment rate.

Minnesota rates are below the national numbers, which list seasonally adjusted June employment rates at 4 percent. If rates are unadjusted for seasonal employment the rate climbs slights to 4.2 percent unemployment.

Updated July unemployment numbers not seasonally adjusted include the county, workforce estimate, number employed, those jobless and the unemployment rate.

The rates around central Minnesota:

-- Aitkin County

Workforce: 6,099.

Employed: 5,849.

Jobless: 250.

Jobless rate: 4.1 percent.

-- Cass County

Workforce: 13,538

Employed: 13,010.

Jobless: 528.

Jobless rate: 3.9 percent.

-- Crow Wing County

Workforce: 30,402.

Employed: 29,612.

Jobless: 790.

Jobless rate: 2.6 percent.

-- Morrison County

Workforce: 14,670.

Employed: 14,145.

Jobless: 525.

Jobless rate: 3.6 percent.

-- Todd County

Workforce: 9,373.

Employed: 9,062.

Jobless: 311.

Jobless rate: 3.1 percent.

-- Wadena County

Workforce: 7,585.

Employed: 7,350.

Jobless: 235.

Jobless rate: 3.1 percent.

Comparing Crow Wing County to a county experiencing considerable growth near St. Cloud, Sherburne County's numbers are not much larger than Crow Wing's. Sherburne County has a workforce of 33,989 with 33,323 employed and 666 jobless for an unemployment rate of 2 percent.

Minnesota economic indicators noted help wanted advertisements were actually down 11.9 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted 24,303, which is the lowest number since November 1999. The MDES noted the swings in help-wanted advertising can send confusing labor market signals, but it may also signal a change as businesses find alternative methods to attract workers.

Statewide, manufacturing hours appeared to slip this spring, which MDES' Minnesota Employment Review publication for July noted was "another sign of the state's sluggish manufacturing environment."

Losses in construction, trade and durable goods manufacturing were offset in part by job gains in services and government employment. Higher mortgage rates were credited with having an effect on a 9.6 percent decline in residential building permits in the state in May. The decline meant May residential building permits were down by 286 units from April's total, Minnesota Employment Review reported.

But looking at highlights in Minnesota's economy also pointed to economic growth that, while it may have moderated, continues to mean a tight labor market. And Minnesota Employment Review reported "jobseekers are still in the driver's seat."