In recent data from Job Service North Dakota, the state’s November unemployment rate remained at 1.4 percent, marking a slight increase from the previous year. There was a 1.8 percent increase in unemployment between October and November 2023, showing an increase of 103 individuals. Compared to November 2022, however, there was a significant drop in unemployment, with a decrease of 1,271 individuals representing a 17.9 percent decrease.

Nationally, the unemployment rate for November was reported to be 3.5 percent, a drop from October’s 3.6 percent but higher than 3.4 percent from the previous year. North Dakota’s unemployment rate is considerably lower than the national average at 1.9 percent, ranking it second nationally.

Preliminary data for November 2023 indicates that non-seasonally adjusted employment in North Dakota rose by 1.9 percent from the same period last year but decreased slightly over the month. Employment increases were reported in nine out of the 13 major industries, with the mining and logistics sector leading. However, there were employment decreases in construction and information.

In Stark County, North Dakota, the unemployment rate was 1.2 percent, ranking it at 39th position amongst the state’s counties. During the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment levels peaked at 14.7 percent, but have since stabilized. Stark County’s unemployment rate is well below the national and state averages, displaying positive employment trends within the region.