BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s August not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.5 percent. The unemployment rate declined 0.4 of a percentage point between July and August. August 2022’s rate was 0.6 of a percentage point higher than the current rate.

Between July 2023 and August 2023 unemployment fell by 1,499, a decrease of 18.8 percent. North Dakota typically sees a slight decline in unemployment numbers between July and August. The over-the-year decrease (August 2022 to August 2023) in unemployed labor force was 2,158, a loss of 24.9 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August was 3.9 percent. It was 3.8 percent the prior month and 3.8 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 August 2023July 2023August 2022
Unemployment Rate1.5%1.9%2.1%
Unemployed6,4927,9918,650
Employed414,091416,579411,924
Labor Force420,583424,570420,574

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent for the month, higher than the prior month by 0.3 of a percentage point, and 0.1 of a percentage point higher than one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 1.9 percent, lower than the prior month by 0.1 of a percentage point, and 0.1 of a percentage point lower than one year ago. The seasonal adjustment process uses a statistical adjustment to accommodate predictable fluctuations between months such as length of daylight and typical weather, allowing for comparison between all months of a year.

In August, North Dakota ranked 4th among all states’ unemployment rates, at 1.9 percent. South Dakota tied with North Dakota. Maryland came in 1st place, with an unemployment rate of 1.7 percent.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 August 2023July 2023August 2022
North Dakota1.9%2.0%2.0%
United States3.8%3.5%3.7%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s August 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 1.8 percent (+7,800) from the same period one year ago and decreased 0.3 percent (-1,200) over the month.

Ten of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Mining and Logging posting a gain of 2,400 jobs (+14.0 percent). Government (+2,100), Leisure and Hospitality (+1,300), Professional and Business Services (+1,000), Private Educational and Health Services (+900), Wholesale Trade (+900), and Retail Trade (+700) reported substantial gains in employment.

Construction (-1,500), Financial Activities (-500), and Information (-300) posted decreases in employment.

METRO AREAS

Of North Dakota’s three metro areas over-the-year, Bismarck was the only metro area to post an employment loss (-500). The Grand Forks and Fargo metro areas posted employment gains of 1,900 and 1,100, respectively.

FARGO

  • Prominent employment gains took place in Private Educational and Health Services (+1,300), Leisure and Hospitality (+400), and Retail Trade (+300). The largest employment reductions occurred in Government (-400), Information (-300), and Mining, Logging and Construction (-300).

BISMARCK

  • Retail Trade (+300), Wholesale Trade (+200), Private Educational and Health Services (+200), Manufacturing (+100), and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (+100) reported employment gains. The most substantial losses occurred in Government (-700), Leisure and Hospitality (-300), and Mining, Logging and Construction (-200).

GRAND FORKS

  • Seven of the 12 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Government (+1,000), Retail Trade (+500), Manufacturing (+200), and Professional and Business Services (+200) posted the largest gains in employment. The only losses were reported in Mining, Logging and Construction (-200) and Financial Activities (-100).