BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s October not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.8 percent. The unemployment rate remained the same between September and October. October 2023’s rate was 0.5 of a percentage point lower than the current rate.

Between September 2024 and October 2024 unemployment rose by +75, an increase of 1.0 percent. North Dakota typically sees a slight decrease in unemployment numbers between September and October. The over-the-year increase (October 2023 to October 2024) in unemployed labor force was +2,030, a gain of 36.4 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 3.9 percent. It was 3.9 percent the prior month and 3.6 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 October 2024September 2024October 2023
Unemployment Rate1.8%1.8%1.3%
Unemployed7,6037,5285,573
Employed411,628413,421411,575
Labor Force419,231420,949417,148

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent for the month, the same as the prior month, and 0.3 of a percentage point higher than the same period one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 2.4 percent, higher than the prior month by 0.1 of a percentage point, and 0.5 of a percentage point higher 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 October, North Dakota ranked 3rd among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.4 percent. South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9 percent. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 October 2024September 2024October 2023
North Dakota2.4%2.3%1.9%
United States4.1%4.1%3.8%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s October 2024 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 1.7 percent (+7,600) from the same period one year ago and changed slightly (-200) over the month.

Eight of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Government posting a gain of 5,100 jobs (+6.0 percent). Private Educational and Health Services (+2,800), Retail Trade (+1,000), Construction (+800), Mining and Logging (+400), and Wholesale Trade (+300) reported considerable gains in employment.

Leisure and Hospitality posted the largest over-the-year drop in employment, a loss of 1,800 jobs (-4.5 percent). The drop in Leisure and Hospitality employment was largely due to a drop in Food Services and Drinking Places (-1,400) employment. Other notable decreases in employment occurred in Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-600) and Professional and Business Services (-500).

METRO AREAS

All three of North Dakota’s metro areas reported increases in annual employment. Fargo posted the largest change in employment, with a gain of 2,200 jobs. Bismarck and Grand Forks trailed with employment gains of 1,400 and 500, respectively.

GRAND FORKS

  • Government (+500) posted the largest employment gain. The largest employment reduction occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (-300).

BISMARCK

  • Government reported the largest employment gain, with an increase of 1,100 jobs. The second largest gain took place in Private Educational and Health Services (+400). The largest employment reduction occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (-300).

FARGO

  • Half of the major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Government (+1,100), Private Educational and Health Services (+1,000), Retail Trade (+600), and Mining, Logging and Construction (+500) posted the most substantial gains in employment. Losses were reported in Professional and Business Services (-800), Financial Activities (-500), and Manufacturing (-200).