Labor Market
Fargo Moorhead’s labor market epitomizes the Midwestern work ethic. Local employers enjoy a stable base of employees with high productivity, low turnover and low absenteeism.
- Total MSA population of approximately 230,000
- Total MSA workforce of approximately 139,000
Local, State and National Labor Market |
Labor Force |
Employed Persons |
Unemployment Rate |
| Fargo Moorhead MSA | 135,299 | 132,521 | 2.1% |
| North Dakota | 401,330 | 392,304 | 2.2% |
| Minnesota | 3,072,947 | 3,004,624 | 2.2% |
| United States | 161,958,000 | 156,191,000 | 3.6% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – September 2018
Cass, Clay and Surrounding Counties |
Labor Force |
Employed Persons |
Unemployment Rate |
| Becker, Minn. | 18,913 | 18,499 | 2.2% |
| Clay, Minn. | 35,815 | 35,052 | 2.1% |
| Norman, Minn. | 3,211 | 3,112 | 3.1% |
| Wilkin, Minn. | 3,549 | 3,463 | 2.4% |
| Barnes, N.D. | 5,192 | 5,082 | 2.1% |
| Cass, N.D. | 99,484 | 97,469 | 2.0% |
| Griggs, N.D. | 1,088 | 1,065 | 2.1% |
| Ransom, N.D. | 2,801 | 2,750 | 1.8% |
| Richland, N.D. | 8,608 | 8,383 | 2.6% |
| Steele, N.D. | 1,089 | 1,070 | 1.7% |
| Traill, N.D. | 4,573 | 4,475 | 2.1% |
| Total | 184,323 | 180,420 |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – September 2018