BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show
North Dakota’s February not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6 percent. The
unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point between January and February. February
2023’s rate was 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the current rate.

Between January 2024 and February 2024 unemployment rose by 441, an increase of 4.2
percent. North Dakota typically sees a slight increase in unemployment numbers between
January and February. The over-the-year increase (February 2023 to February 2024) in
unemployed labor force was 467, a gain of 4.5 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was 4.2 percent. It was
4.1 percent the prior month and 3.9 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
February 2024 January 2024 February 2023
Unemployment Rate 2.6% 2.5% 2.5%
Unemployed 10,887 10,446 10,420
Employed 403,137 402,033 402,617
Labor Force 414,024 412,479 413,037

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 percent for the month, higher
than the prior month by 0.2 of a percentage point and 0.3 of a percentage point higher than
the same period one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 2.0
percent, 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the prior month, and the same as 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 February, North Dakota ranked 1st among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.0 percent.
South Dakota came in 2nd place, with an unemployment rate of 2.1 percent.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
February 2024 January 2024 February 2023
North Dakota 2.0% 1.9% 2.0%
United States 3.9% 3.7% 3.6%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment
Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s February 2024 not seasonally adjusted employment
increased 0.9 percent (+4,000) from the same period one year ago and increased 0.3 percent
(+1,300) over the month.

Eight of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Private
Educational and Health Services posting a gain of 1,600 jobs (+2.4 percent). The HealthCare and
Social Assistance subsector contributed the largest portion of the Private Educational and Health
Services increase, a gain of 1,400 jobs. Government posted the second largest employment
increase, with a gain of 1,400 jobs (+1.7 percent). Other prominent employment increases were
reported in Wholesale Trade (+1,100), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (+900),
Manufacturing (+800), and Mining and Logging (+800).

Construction (-1,600), Professional and Business Services (-800), Leisure and Hospitality (-400),
and Information (-400) reported decreases in employment.

METRO AREAS
Of North Dakota’s three metro areas, Bismarck was the only metro area to post an over-the-year
decrease in employment (-400). The Fargo and Grand Forks metro areas posted employment
gains of +1,400 and +900, respectively.

GRAND FORKS
• Prominent employment gains took place in Government (+500), Manufacturing (+200), and
Wholesale Trade (+200). Employment reductions were reported in Financial Activities (-
100), Retail Trade (-100), and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-100).

BISMARCK
• The largest employment gain was reported in Wholesale Trade (+200). The most
substantial losses occurred in Government (-400) and Retail Trade (-200).

FARGO
• Seven of the major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Private
Educational and Health Services (+700), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (+600),
and Government (+400) posted prominent employment gains. Employment reductions
were reported in Professional and Business Services (-600), Financial Activities (-300),
Information (-300), and Leisure and Hospitality (-100).