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 | 137,662 | 134,699 | 2.2% |
| North Dakota | 400,585 | 392,012 | 2.2% |
| Minnesota | 3,119,177 | 3,010,258 | 3.5% |
| United States | 164,007000 | 158,504,000 | 3.4% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – December 2019
Cass, Clay and Surrounding Counties |
Labor Force |
Employed Persons |
Unemployment Rate |
| Becker, Minn. | 19,057 | 18,080 | 5.1% |
| Clay, Minn. | 36,739 | 36,620 | 3.0% |
| Norman, Minn. | 3,459 | 3,278 | 5.2% |
| Wilkin, Minn. | 3,583 | 3,459 | 3.5% |
| Barnes, N.D. | 5,240 | 5,132 | 2.1% |
| Cass, N.D. | 100,923 | 99,079 | 1.8% |
| Griggs, N.D. | 997 | 971 | 2.6% |
| Ransom, N.D. | 2,815 | 2,770 | 1.6% |
| Richland, N.D. | 8,553 | 8,401 | 1.8% |
| Steele, N.D. | 949 | 933 | 1.7% |
| Traill, N.D. | 4,365 | 4,279 | 2.0% |
Source: Job Service N.D., Minn. DEED – December 2019