Economic Profile
Fargo Moorhead’s economy consistently ranks among the highest of 381 metropolitan areas in vitality, according to Moody’s economy.com. Gains in income and employment consistently exceed the national average, and the region has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Our community benefits from a diverse and solid base of industry that includes national and global names like Microsoft, John Deere, Bobcat, Case New Holland, Caterpillar, Titan Machinery, U.S. Bank, Bank of the West, and Wells Fargo.
Economic Indicators
Fargo Moorhead MSA Employment Information
| Data | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Employed | 117,689 | 119,400 | 120,279 | 122,309 | 124,516 | 127,187 | 132,597 | 134,956 |
| Change over previous year (%) | 1.95 | 1.45 | 0.74 | 1.9 | 1.80 | 2.15 | 4.25 | 1.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.4 |
Source: Job Service ND; LAUS
Wage Information- Cass County
| Data | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Average Weekly Wage, Total all industries | $760 | $797 | $832 | $851 | $884 | $917 | $922 | $946 |
| Change over previous year (%) | 2.84 | 4.87 | 4.39 | 2.28 | 3.88 | 3.73 | 0.55 | 2.60 |
Source: Job Service ND; QCEW Unit
Wage Information- Clay County
| Data | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Average Weekly Wage, Total all industries | $597 | $632 | $649 | $666 | $698 | $726 | $729 | $761 |
| Change over previous year (%) | 0.0 | 5.86 | 2.69 | 2.62 | 4.80 | 4.01 | 0.41 | 4.39 |
Source: Job Service ND; QCEW Unit
Current Employment Statistics for Fargo-Moorhead MSA in May 2018
Title |
May 2018 (Preliminary) |
May 2017
|
Over the Year Employment Change |
| Total Nonfarm | 143,400 | 142,900 | 500 |
| Total Private | 123,500 | 123,000 | 500 |
| Goods-Producing | 19,200 | 18,900 | 300 |
| Service-Providing | 124,200 | 124,000 | 200 |
| Private Service-Providing | 104,300 | 104,100 | 200 |
| Mining, Logging, and Construction | 9,400 | 9,200 | 200 |
| Manufacturing | 9,800 | 9,700 | 100 |
| Trade, Transportation and Utilities | 30,100 | 30,400 | -300 |
| Information | 3,000 | 3,200 | -200 |
| Financial Activities | 11,400 | 11,200 | 200 |
| Professional and Business Services | 15,400 | 15,800 | -400 |
| Educational and Health Services | 24,900 | 24,100 | 800 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 13,900 | 13,900 | 0 |
| Other Services | 5,600 | 5,500 | 100 |
| Government | 19,900 | 19,900 | 0 |
Source: Job Service N.D., Labor Market Information Center, CES Unit