Employment rose 1.6 percent in North Dakota’s only large county, Cass, from September 2023 to September 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Acting Regional Commissioner Julie Wilson noted that in September 2024, Cass County’s employment was 130,100. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 264 of the 369 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.9 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-2.7 percent).

Cass County’s employment accounted for 29.9 percent of total employment within the state in September 2024. Within the county’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprised 73.1 percent of total covered employment in the United States.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 52 counties in North Dakota with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 46 of the 52 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,394 in the third quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Cass County’s 4.2-percent wage growth from the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024 was lower than the national rate of 4.5 percent and ranked 165^th nationally. Among the 365 largest counties in the United States with published data, 363 had over-the-year wage increases. Benton, AR, had the largest percentage wage increase (+15.5 percent). Weld, CO, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-1.3 percent).

Cass County’s $1,289 average weekly was below the national average of $1,394 and ranked 153^rd among the 369 large U.S. counties in the third quarter of 2024. Among the largest U.S. counties, 94 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the third quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,557). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($819).

Among the 52 smaller counties in North Dakota—those with employment below 75,000—Williams ($1,737) reported the highest average weekly wage, while Sheridan County ($706) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 53 counties in North Dakota were considered, 13 reported average weekly wages of less than $950, 15 registered wages from $950 to $1,049, 10 had wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 15 had average weekly wages of $1,150 or higher. (See map 1.)