The nation’s unemployment rate decreased to 7.8 percent in September, according the jobs report released this morning by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.  

According to the report, 114,000 new jobs were added in September, bringing unemployment to the lowest rate since February 2009. Employment increased primarily in the fields of health care and transportation and warehousing.

Unemployment remained between 8.1 percent and 8.3 percent in the first eight months of 2012.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate in August was reported at 5.9 percent, which is a tenth of a percent higher than July.

Minnesota's September unemployment report will not be released until October 18.

According to an article by Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota has added about 25,000 jobs over the past year, up 0.9 percent from one year ago.