Bismarck, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s December not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.7 percent. The unemployment rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point between November and December. December 2022’s rate was 0.3 of a percentage point higher than the current rate.

Between November 2023 and December 2023 unemployment rose by 1,312, an increase of 22.5 percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate increase in unemployment numbers between November and December. The over-the-year decrease (December 2022 to December 2023) in unemployed labor force was 1,216, a loss of 14.6 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 3.5 percent. It was the same the prior month and 3.3 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 December 2023November 2023December 2022
Unemployment Rate1.7%1.4%2.0%
Unemployed7,1315,8198,347
Employed402,128406,377400,664
Labor Force409,259412,196409,011

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 percent for the month, the same as the prior month, and 0.2 of a percentage point higher than one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 1.9 percent, the same as the prior month, and 0.2 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 December, North Dakota ranked 1st among all states’ unemployment rates, at 1.9 percent. Maryland tied with North Dakota. South Dakota came in 3rd place, with an unemployment rate of 2.0 percent. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 December 2023November 2023December 2022
North Dakota1.9%1.9%2.1%
United States3.7%3.7%3.5%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s December 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 2.6 percent (+11,000) from the same period one year ago and decreased 0.3 percent (-1,400) over the month.

Nine of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Mining and Logging posted the largest employment percentage increase at 13.4 percent (+2,300). Government posted the largest numerical employment increase, with a gain of 2,500 jobs (+3.0 percent). The Local Government Educational Services subsector contributed the largest portion of this increase, a gain of 1,200 jobs. Other prominent employment increases were reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+2,200), Leisure and Hospitality (+1,500), Wholesale Trade (+1,300), and Retail Trade (+1,200).

Construction (-700), Financial Activities (-400) and Information (-200) reported decreases in employment. Manufacturing remained unchanged.

METRO AREAS

All three of North Dakota’s metro areas reported increases in annual employment. Grand Forks posted the largest change in employment, with a gain of 1,400 jobs. Fargo and Bismarck followed with employment gains of 800 and 100, respectively.

BISMARCK

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+300), Retail Trade (+100), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Other Services (+100) reported employment gains. The most substantial losses occurred in Professional and Business Services (-200).

GRAND FORKS

  • Prominent employment gains took place in Government (+700) and Retail Trade (+300). Employment reductions occurred in Financial Activities (-100).

FARGO

  • Over half of the major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Private Educational and Health Services (+1,000) and Retail Trade (+600) posted the largest employment gains. Prominent employment reductions were reported in Mining, Logging and Construction (-500), Professional and Business Services (-400), and Manufacturing (-300).