N.D. has best job market in 2010 in U.S., study says

North Dakota was credited with the nation’s best job market in 2010, according to Gallup's Job Creation Index study. The results are based on aggregated data from nearly 200,000 interviews with employed adults during 2010.

“The Gallup study is more evidence that our efforts are getting results,” said Acting Commerce Commissioner Paul Govig. “The most important indicators, however, are that North Dakotans are working, their wages are increasing and our population is growing. That translates into a better quality of life for individuals and families in our state.”

In the study, Gallup asks those who are employed whether their companies are hiring workers and expanding the size of their labor forces, not changing the size of their work forces, or laying off workers and reducing their work forces. Details of the Gallup study are available at www.gallup.com.

Additional findings recently released show the following economic growth in North Dakota since 2000:

Created 47,900 net new jobs. In 2010 North Dakota had 375,600 jobs, an increase of 47,900 from 2000 when the state had 327,700. This was an increase of 14.62 percent (Source: Job Service North Dakota, Labor Market Information Center).

Average wages have increased $11,287. The average wage in 2009 was $35,970, an increase of $11,287 since 2000 when the average wage was $24,683. This represents an increase of 45.7 percent (Source: Job Service North Dakota, Labor Market).

Per capita personal income has increased $15,103. The per capita personal income in the state in 2009 was $40,727, an increase of $15,103 since 2000 when the per capita personal income was $25,624. This increase of 58.9 percent brings North Dakota to 102.8 percent of the national average. Per capita income includes wages and any additional income sources (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis).

Population has grown by 30,000. North Dakota had a population of 672,591 in 2010, an increase of 30,391 since 2000 when the total population was 642,000. That’s an increase of 4.7 percent. Source: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Commerce

“These findings are powerful recognition that North Dakota has some great qualities to offer businesses and workers,” said Govig.

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