What is the unemployment rate in North Dakota right now?
Updated monthly
About 2.5% in August 2025. That's unchanged from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
In August 2025,
2.5%
of the labor force was unemployed in North Dakota
August 2025 had a
0
percentage point change from August 2024
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate through a monthly survey to identify the civilian labor force, meaning people who are employed or actively seeking work. It counts part-time workers as employed. It excludes people who aren’t actively looking for work, such as retirees or discouraged workers.
In August 2025, the unemployment rate in North Dakota was lower than the US overall.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to August 2025
Unemployment rates differ within states due to various factors. Counties with many job opportunities and different industries often have lower unemployment rates. In rural areas or in places where industries are shrinking, the rate can be higher. Seasonal work in industries like tourism or farming can lead to unemployment rising or falling. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.
In North Dakota, Rolette County, ND had the highest unemployment rate at 7.3%. Dickey County, ND had the lowest at 1.6%. Cass County, ND, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 2.4%. The latest county-level data is from August 2025.
Unemployment rates in North Dakota counties ranged from 1.6% to 7.3% in August 2025.
Not seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rate, by county in North Dakota (August 2025)
| 1. | Rolette County, ND | 7.3% |
| 2. | Oliver County, ND | 3.5% |
| 3. | Emmons County, ND | 3.4% |
| 4. | Pembina County, ND | 3.4% |
| 5. | Mercer County, ND | 3.3% |
| 6. | Sheridan County, ND | 3.3% |
| 7. | Sioux County, ND | 3.3% |
| 8. | Kidder County, ND | 3.1% |
| 9. | McHenry County, ND | 3.0% |
| 10. | Sargent County, ND | 3.0% |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
