Rochester Area Jobless Rate Rises For the First Time in 7 Months Enter your number to get our free mobile app Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Seasonal factors likely contributed to a rise in unemployment in Rochester and throughout the region last month but the COVID-19 restrictions on bars, restaurants, and a number of other businesses also likely had a role. The unemployment rate for Olmsted County rose four-tenths of a point from November to 3.8 percent. It marked the first time the jobless rate for the Rochester area has gone up since it peaked at 9.8 percent last May. A year ago, the unemployment rate for December in Olmsted County was just 2.6 percent.