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Top 10 Cities in North Dakota with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job but love your home in North Dakota, you might be wondering how difficult it will be to find a new job locally. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of cities in North Dakota that boast the strongest job markets based on their unemployment rates.
Many choose to live where they do because of job opportunities; however, if you’re among those considering a move to North Dakota for fresh possibilities, understanding the local job market is essential.
We sourced demographic data from the Census Bureau to identify cities with the lowest unemployment rates. By focusing on cities with a minimum population threshold, we analyzed the data to present the top contenders:
- Rugby(Jobs)
- Lisbon(Jobs)
- Hazen(Jobs)
- West Fargo(Jobs)
- Horace(Jobs)
- Watford City(Jobs)
- Devils Lake(Jobs)
- Williston(Jobs)
- Bismarck(Jobs)
- Jamestown(Jobs)
For employers seeking a robust community to relocate their businesses, a low unemployment rate indicates a healthy local economy. Rugby stands out as the city with the lowest unemployment rate in North Dakota.
Continue reading to explore how we identified these cities and their job market strengths.
For more information on job opportunities in North Dakota, visit:
- Search for Jobs in North Dakota
- Highest Paying Jobs in North Dakota
- Fastest Growing Jobs in North Dakota
How We Determined the Cities in North Dakota with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To determine North Dakota’s cities with the lowest unemployment, we focused on municipalities with populations exceeding 2,000 where data was available.
This analysis included 23 locations in North Dakota. We examined the unemployment rates sourced from the latest American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau.
The unemployment rate serves as a key indicator of job availability in a city, whether you’re considering a job transfer within the state or relocating from another area.
We ranked the cities from one to 23, with the lowest rate receiving the top ranking. In cases of ties, larger cities were favored.
If your city is not listed in the top ten, scroll down for a detailed chart of all the cities analyzed. Otherwise, let’s delve into the highlights of our top ten cities.
1. Rugby
Population: 2,989
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
Rugby leads the list with an impressive 0.0% unemployment rate, making it the top contender for job seekers.
2. Lisbon
Population: 2,074
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
Lisbon earns the second spot with a commendable 1.0% unemployment rate, demonstrating its strong job market.
3. Hazen
Population: 2,607
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
Hazen shares the podium with Lisbon, also holding an unemployment rate of 1.0%.
4. West Fargo
Population: 28,371
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%
West Fargo comes in at number four with a population of 28,371 and a low unemployment rate of 1.1%, making it an excellent choice for job seekers.
5. Horace
Population: 2,502
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
Horace holds the number five position with a stable unemployment rate of 1.4% and a population of around 2,502.
6. Watford City
Population: 2,738
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
Watford City ranks sixth with a solid unemployment rate of 1.5%, providing attractive job opportunities.
7. Devils Lake
Population: 7,218
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
Devils Lake takes the seventh spot with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, reflecting its growing job market.
8. Williston
Population: 19,849
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Williston ranks eighth, showcasing a competitive job market with an unemployment rate of 1.9%.
9. Bismarck
Population: 65,123
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%
Bismarck, finishing at number nine, has an unemployment rate of 2.1%, a strong indicator of its job market vitality.
10. Jamestown
Population: 15,407
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
Jamestown rounds out the top ten list with a 2.4% unemployment rate, showcasing its job opportunities among the 23 cities analyzed.
Summary of Unemployment Across North Dakota
In summary, these are the ten cities in North Dakota with the lowest unemployment rates, providing strong job opportunities for residents and newcomers alike.
If you’re considering a move to North Dakota, focusing on these cities could be your best bet for finding employment quickly in a thriving community.
For additional insights on job markets across the U.S., visit Zippia. If you’re a recent college graduate contemplating relocation, discover which states attract graduates and which ones don’t.
Here’s a quick look at the cities in North Dakota with the highest unemployment rates:
- Grafton
- New Town
- Beulah
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in North Dakota
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby | 1 | 0.0% |
| Lisbon | 2 | 1.0% |
| Hazen | 3 | 1.0% |
| West Fargo | 4 | 1.1% |
| Horace | 5 | 1.4% |
| Watford City | 6 | 1.5% |
| Devils Lake | 7 | 1.8% |
| Williston | 8 | 1.9% |
| Bismarck | 9 | 2.1% |
| Jamestown | 10 | 2.4% |
| Bottineau | 11 | 2.5% |
| Minot | 12 | 2.5% |
| Casselton | 13 | 2.9% |
| Valley City | 14 | 3.0% |
| Dickinson | 15 | 3.2% |
| Lincoln | 16 | 3.4% |
| Mandan | 17 | 3.5% |
| Wahpeton | 18 | 3.8% |
| Grand Forks | 19 | 3.8% |
| Fargo | 20 | 3.8% |
| Beulah | 21 | 3.9% |
| New Town | 22 | 4.6% |
| Grafton | 23 | 4.7% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
