Minnesota Unemployment Rate Hits 8.2%

The unemployment rate in Minnesota hit 8.2% in March, as the state lost 23,200 jobs according to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The rate is just below the 8.5% national rate for March, and only slightly up from February.

The manufacturing sector lost 6,700 jobs, and construction lost 3,700. That sector has lost 21% of jobs since March 2008.

Education and health services has gained 16,200 jobs in the last 12 months. Minneapolis-St. Paul lost 3.6% of its jobs; Duluth-Superior lost 2.7%.