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 | 141,738 | 134,448 | 5.1% |
| North Dakota | 409,533 | 383,514 | 6.4% |
| Minnesota | 3,122,326 | 2,889,851 | 7.4% |
| United States | 161,374,000 | 144,492,000 | 10.5% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – July 2020, numbers not seasonally adjusted
Cass, Clay and Surrounding Counties |
Labor Force |
Employed Persons |
Unemployment Rate |
| Becker, Minn. | 19,347 | 18,240 | 5.7% |
| Clay, Minn. | 36,046 | 34,289 | 4.9% |
| Norman, Minn. | 3,422 | 3,207 | 6.3% |
| Wilkin, Minn. | 3,584 | 3,428 | 4.4% |
| Barnes, N.D. | 5,008 | 4,772 | 4.7% |
| Cass, N.D. | 105,692 | 100,159 | 5.2% |
| Griggs, N.D. | 994 | 959 | 3.5% |
| Ransom, N.D. | 2,752 | 2,641 | 4.0% |
| Richland, N.D. | 8,305 | 7,959 | 4.2% |
| Steele, N.D. | 964 | 923 | 4.3% |
| Traill, N.D. | 4,289 | 4,095 | 4.5% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – July 2020, numbers not seasonally adjusted