This week new March unemployment numbers came out for Minnesota, North and South Dakota. In a nutshell, while we are better than we were last year at this time, March 2010 really ended up in most cases to be a mixed bag of news. This week the statistic that was bounced around is that we need 5% economic growth to decrease unemployment 1%. Unfortunately, most feel economic growth for most of this year will be more in the 3% range at best.
City March 2010 March 2009 February 2010 mar vrs. feb
Bemidji 9.7% 10.5% 9.4% +.3
Alexandria 7.8% 8.5% 7.6% +.2
Brainerd 11.8% 13.0% 12.0% -.2
Willmar 7.7% 8.3% 7.5% +.2
Owatonna 9.6% 10.2% 9.2% +.4
Duluth 8.1% 8.8% 7.9% +.2
St. Cloud 8.2% 9.7% 7.7% +.5
Rochester 6.4% 7.1% 6.3% +.1
Moorhead 4.2% 4.6% 3.8% +.4
Only Brainerd made any headway last month, although they continue to have the highest unemployment numbers in the State. Rochester stays steady with its dependable IBM and medical employment. Moorhead obviously benefits from its proximity to Fargo.
North and South Dakota Unemployment Numbers
Grand Forks County (Grand Forks) March ty= 4.5% March ly= 5.3%
Cass County (Fargo) March ty= 4.6% March ly= 4.9%
Ward County (Minot) March ty= 4.8% March ly=5.0%
Rapid City SD March ty= 6.4%
Sioux Falls SD March ty =5.8%
Aberdeen SD March ty= 4.3%
Brookings SD March ty= 4.3%
By the way…unemployment rate in Williams County ND (Williston/Oil Fields) is at 2.5%. Before you go running out there watch this 6 minute YOU TUBE VIDEO made by the NEW YORK TIMES talking about housing crisis in Williston and people sleeping in their trucks at the local WalMart.
