Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.0% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Fargo, ND-MN market declined by 4,853 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 4.0%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Fargo, ND-MN unemployment rate is 281 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 120 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -1.0% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Fargo, ND-MN Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.0%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 30,100; -1,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 27,100; -200
  • Government: 18,200; -600
  • Business Services: 13,000; -400
  • Financial Services: 11,700; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 11,400; -100
  • Manufacturing: 10,200; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 8,600; -500
  • Other Jobs: 4,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,900; -100
Fargo, ND-MN Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.