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 | 138,992 | 129,601 | 6.8% |
| North Dakota | 403,634 | 368,779 | 8.6% |
| Minnesota | 3,060,535 | 2,773,601 | 9.4% |
| United States | 157,975,000 | 137,461,000 | 13.0% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – May 2020, numbers not seasonally adjusted
Cass, Clay and Surrounding Counties |
Labor Force |
Employed Persons |
Unemployment Rate |
| Becker, Minn. | 20,171 | 18,598 | 7.8% |
| Clay, Minn. | 34,834 | 33,566 | 3.6% |
| Norman, Minn. | 3,355 | 3,132 | 6.6% |
| Wilkin, Minn. | 3,494 | 3,378 | 3.3% |
| Barnes, N.D. | 4,976 | 4,665 | 6.3% |
| Cass, N.D. | 104,158 | 96,035 | 7.8% |
| Griggs, N.D. | 984 | 943 | 4.2% |
| Ransom, N.D. | 2,749 | 2,585 | 6.0% |
| Richland, N.D. | 8,396 | 7,851 | 6.5% |
| Steele, N.D. | 958 | 909 | 5.1% |
| Traill, N.D. | 4,259 | 3,990 | 6.3% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – May 2020, numbers not seasonally adjusted