Jobless rates inch upward
Crow Wing at 8 percent
This Thanksgiving many area residents will be giving thanks for a steady job, but there are still thousands in the seven-county area who remain unemployed this holiday season.
The jobless rate began a slight uptick in four out of seven area counties in the latest numbers for October recently released by the state Department of Employment and Economic Development. It wasn't a big jump, but the rise comes after three straight months where the unemployment rate decreased.
A seasonal jobless rate rise is typical for the area. Although in the years before the recession, the unemployment rate historically decreased between September and October before it began a seasonal increase in November, December and January.
The nation's jobless rate for October was 10.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, compared to 9.8 in September. Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.6 percent for October. In September the state's jobless rate was 7.4 percent.
The Brainerd micropolitan area, covering Crow Wing and Cass counties, posted a jobless rate of 8 percent for October, compared to 7.6 percent a month ago.
In the seven-county region, the state reports there are 8,867 people now without jobs from a labor force of 104,371.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.