![Minnesota Unemployment Rate Drops Below 5 Percent](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/08/helpwanted-300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Unemployment Rate Drops Below 5 Percent
ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate has dropped below 5 percent for the first time in nearly six years as the state climbs further out of the deep hole caused by the Great Recession.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development reports Thursday that October's unemployment rate was 4.8 percent. That's the same as it was in December 2007, which is generally considered to be the month that the long recession started.
The state released figures for both September and October. The September figures had been delayed by the federal government shutdown. Unemployment fell from 5.1 percent in August to 5 percent in September to 4.8 percent in October.
The department reports that Minnesota employers added 9,900 jobs in October, for a total of nearly 50,000 jobs added in the past year.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)