Counties with the highest unemployment in North Dakota

2024 ended on a high note, with the unemployment rate relatively unchanged at 4.1%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Jan. 10.

Unemployment rates were higher in November than the prior year in 308 of 389 metro areas, though they dropped in 60 areas and remained unchanged in 21 areas, the BLS reported.

The lion's share of job growth remained in government, social assistance, and health care, with openings in nursing, residential care facilities, and home health care leading employment in the latter sector.

To get a glimpse of regional variations in employment, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rates in North Dakota, using BLS data. Counties are ranked by their preliminary unemployment rate in November 2024, with initial ties broken by the number of unemployed people within that county, though some ties may remain. County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Key takeaways: Biden's economic legacy, inauguration day, and immigration's impact on jobs

The latest BLS report highlights the final job figures under the Biden administration, giving the outgoing president a win during his final weeks in office. President Biden highlighted the creation of 16.6 million jobs during his term in a Jan. 11 statement.

"Although I inherited the worst economic crisis in decades with unemployment above 6% when I took office, we've had the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years with unemployment at 4.1% as I leave," he said.

Incoming President-elect Donald Trump will inherit a strong economy, with forecasts tracking ongoing growth into 2025. However, uncertainty remains. Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign goods coupled with a sweeping deportation operation may have a significant impact on the economy, accelerating inflation and tamping down job growth, some experts forecast.

"I worry that immigration will be significantly lower than the long-term average of 1.0 million. I worry that tariffs will be universal and lead to a trade war. That would not be good for the economy and earnings," Hugh Johnson, chairman emeritus at Graypoint, told U.S. News.

What does all this mean for middle-class Americans? The unemployment rate is projected to remain stable, only creeping up to 4.3%, according to the Federal Reserve's latest Summary of Economic Projections. Experts suggest paying down mortgages, revisiting investment strategies, and paying attention to taxes before rates possibly shift as Inauguration Day draws close.

The big story: California wildfires still rage

Although Goldman predicts only a "modest drag" on U.S. jobs due to the devastating California wildfires, the situation is still ongoing. Small businesses destroyed by the fires will impact local jobs; in the wake of the fires, a surge in construction and the need for labor and materials might lead to localized shortages and rising costs, impacting several industries.

However, amid political and environmental uncertainty, it's unclear which way the winds will blow. Americans will have to simply wait for the smoke to clear.

To get a better idea of your community's current economy, read on to see the counties with the highest unemployment in North Dakota.

#53. Dunn County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,225 people (44 unemployed)

#52. Logan County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.6%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 882 people (14 unemployed)

#51. Mountrail County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,675 people (109 unemployed)

#50. Renville County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,172 people (20 unemployed)

#49. Hettinger County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.7%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,334 people (23 unemployed)

#48. Dickey County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,405 people (41 unemployed)

#47. Grant County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,283 people (23 unemployed)

#46. LaMoure County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,115 people (38 unemployed)

#45. Divide County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,344 people (26 unemployed)

#44. Bowman County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,538 people (29 unemployed)

#43. Traill County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,562 people (87 unemployed)

#42. McKenzie County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,226 people (199 unemployed)

#41. Stark County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 19,106 people (368 unemployed)

#40. Burleigh County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 1.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 51,380 people (968 unemployed)

#39. Billings County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 452 people (9 unemployed)

#38. Foster County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,470 people (29 unemployed)

#37. Ransom County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,606 people (52 unemployed)

#36. Barnes County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.0%
--- 1-month change: Down 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,079 people (101 unemployed)

#35. Grand Forks County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 38,307 people (755 unemployed)

#34. Steele County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 939 people (20 unemployed)

#33. Towner County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,098 people (23 unemployed)

#32. Eddy County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,145 people (24 unemployed)

#31. Ramsey County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,583 people (115 unemployed)

#30. Stutsman County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,566 people (220 unemployed)

#29. Williams County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 23,469 people (488 unemployed)

#28. Cass County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 111,737 people (2,371 unemployed)

#27. Slope County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 362 people (8 unemployed)

#26. Burke County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,039 people (23 unemployed)

#25. Wells County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,854 people (41 unemployed)

#24. Bottineau County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,008 people (66 unemployed)

#23. Golden Valley County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 874 people (20 unemployed)

#21. Adams County (tie)

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 980 people (23 unemployed)

#21. Griggs County (tie)

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 992 people (23 unemployed)

#20. Cavalier County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,779 people (41 unemployed)

#19. McHenry County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,052 people (70 unemployed)

#18. Morton County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 16,962 people (394 unemployed)

#17. Ward County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.3%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 32,104 people (754 unemployed)

#16. Kidder County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,310 people (32 unemployed)

#15. Nelson County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,461 people (35 unemployed)

#14. Benson County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,288 people (54 unemployed)

#13. McLean County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,732 people (116 unemployed)

#12. Richland County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.9 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 8,950 people (229 unemployed)

#11. Sheridan County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 621 people (17 unemployed)

#10. Pierce County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,683 people (46 unemployed)

#9. Sargent County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,177 people (58 unemployed)

#8. Mercer County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,739 people (102 unemployed)

#7. McIntosh County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,076 people (31 unemployed)

#6. Walsh County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 2.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,125 people (151 unemployed)

#5. Pembina County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,154 people (95 unemployed)

#4. Sioux County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,217 people (38 unemployed)

#3. Emmons County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,445 people (54 unemployed)

#2. Rolette County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,631 people (187 unemployed)

#1. Oliver County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 1.9 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 888 people (37 unemployed)

This story features data reporting by Elena Cox, writing by Alizah Salario, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.