The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development released the December 2018 employment figures today. The Mankato – North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) saw a gain of 2,379 jobs or 4% year-over-year in the month of December, which led all metropolitan areas in the state. Mankato-North Mankato has lead the state in job growth every month of 2018.
Highlights:
- Largest rate of job growth in December in the last 20 years
- Private sector employment (an increase of .1% from Nov. to Dec. 2018) bucked the regular seasonal trend of employment declining from November to December. It’s the first time since 2006 this has happened.
- Manufacturing (5.6% growth year-over-year) was the largest increase since 1997.
Here is a preliminary recap of employment change among Minnesota. Mankato-North Mankato led all regional centers (Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud) in Greater Minnesota in both total jobs and percent growth, despite being half the size of the others.
| MN Metro Area | 2017 Average Employment | 2018 Average Employment | # Change | % Change |
| Mankato-North Mankato | 57,673 | 59,488 | 1,815 | 3.05% |
| MSP | 1,988,745 | 2,017,817 | 29,072 | 1.44% |
| Duluth | 136,681 | 138,420 | 1,739 | 1.26% |
| Saint Cloud | 109,812 | 111,171 | 1,359 | 1.22% |
| Rochester | 120,002 | 120,104 | 102 | 0.08% |
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