Mower County’s unemployment rate fell last month to its lowest level since October of 2000.

Newly released numbers by the Minnesota Department of Economic Development show Mower’s unemployment rate reached 2.6 percent in September, when 19,803 people were employed and 539 were listed as unemployed.

Austin had 12,092 people employed in September, along with 359 unemployed, making for an unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.

Minnesota’s September unemployment rate dropped again to 3.8 percent in September. The Minnesota rate compares to a national average of 5.1 percent for last month.

The latest statewide figures estimate that roughly 114,000 people considered part of the labor force are without a job. The labor force participation rate is at 69.7 percent.

Freeborn and Dodge counties September unemployment were 3.1 percent, while Albert Lea’s was 3.2 percent. Steele County’s was 2.9 percent and Owatonna’s 3.1 percent. Rochester and all of Olmsted County’s jobless rate was 2.6 percent.