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 | 138,828 | 135,952 | 2.1% |
| North Dakota | 407,825 | 398,828 | 2.2% |
| Minnesota | 3,109,058 | 3,032,277 | 2.5% |
| United States | 159,979,000 | 153,407,000 | 4.1% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – May 2018
Cass, Clay and Surrounding Counties |
Labor Force |
Employed Persons |
Unemployment Rate |
| Becker, Minn. | 19,240 | 18,736 | 2.6% |
| Clay, Minn. | 36,436 | 35,527 | 2.5% |
| Norman, Minn. | 3,452 | 3,334 | 3.4% |
| Wilkin, Minn. | 3,660 | 3,577 | 2.3% |
| Barnes, N.D. | 5,190 | 5,090 | 1.9% |
| Cass, N.D. | 102,392 | 100,425 | 1.9% |
| Griggs, N.D. | 1,077 | 1,056 | 1.9% |
| Ransom, N.D. | 2,824 | 2,773 | 1.8% |
| Richland, N.D. | 8,586 | 8,394 | 2.2% |
| Steele, N.D. | 1,076 | 1,060 | 1.5% |
| Traill, N.D. | 4,650 | 4,549 | 2.2% |
| Total | 188,583 | 184,521 |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – May 2018
Education Attainment |
Percent of FM MSA, 25+ |
|---|---|
| Less than 9th Grade | 1.9% |
| 9th Grade to 12th Grade, No Diploma | 3.3% |
| High School Diploma (Includes equivalency) | 20.5% |
| Some College, No Degree | 21.5% |
| Associate’s Degree | 13.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 27.9% |
| Graduate Degree and Higher | 11.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 American Community Survey (ACS), 1-year Estimates