Goal: Cass County will have sustainable, strong economic growth.
"Economic growth creates jobs and may increase opportunities for better jobs and improved living standards. Cass County can be a place with a high quality of life driven by a strong economy. Sustainable, strong economic growth puts Cass County in a better position to achieve other stated goals." [201]
Indicator 39: Labor Force Participation
"High labor participation rates, as measured by the proportion of the working age population that is in the workforce, contribute to strong and sustainable economic growth." [202]
2000 Labor Participation
Percentage of population 16 years and older in the labor force in respective geographic areas
| Location |
Labor Force |
| Fargo |
75.1% |
| Cass County |
75.5% |
| North Dakota |
67.5% |
| United States |
63.9% |
| Percentage of population 16 years and older in the labor force in respective geographic areas |
| Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau [200] |
2010 numbers not available as of April 2011.
Indicator 40: Diversity of Economic Activity
"Understanding the kinds of jobs in which its residents work can help a city tailor education, economic development, and career development strategies that enhance economic security for working families."[203]
2000 Occupational Data
Occupational breakdown information
| Occupation |
Fargo |
Cass County |
North Dakota |
United States |
| Management, professional, and related |
34.1% |
33.4% |
33.3% |
33.6% |
| Service |
15.2% |
14.6% |
16.7% |
14.9% |
| Sales and office |
31.2% |
30.8% |
26.1% |
26.7% |
| Farming, fishing and forestry |
0.4% |
0.6% |
1.7% |
0.7% |
| Construction, extraction, and maintenance |
7.5% |
8.2% |
9.8% |
9.4% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving |
11.5% |
12.4% |
12.4% |
14.6% |
| Percentage of employed civilian population 16 years and over in respective geographic areas. |
2000 Occupational Industry Data
Occupational Industry information
| Industry |
Fargo |
Cass County |
North Dakota |
United States |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining |
0.9% |
1.8% |
8.2% |
33.6% |
| Construction |
5.9% |
6.3% |
6.2% |
6.8% |
| Manufacturing |
8.3% |
9.0% |
7.1% |
14.1% |
| Wholesale trade |
5.0% |
5.2% |
3.7% |
3.6% |
| Retail trade |
15.3% |
14.8% |
12.7% |
11.7% |
| Transportation and warehousing, and untilities |
4.2% |
4.9% |
5.7% |
5.2% |
| Information |
2.6% |
2.3% |
2.3% |
3.1% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing |
8.9% |
8.9% |
5.9% |
6.9% |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrive, and waste management services |
8.6% |
7.9% |
6.0% |
9.3% |
| Educational, helath, and social services |
23.6% |
22.8% |
24.2% |
19.9% |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation, accomodation and food services |
9.5% |
8.7% |
8.2% |
7.9% |
| Other services (except public administration) |
4.5% |
4.7% |
4.9% |
4.9% |
| Public administration |
2.7% |
2.7% |
4.8% |
4.8% |
| Percentage of employed civilian population 16 years and over in respective geographic areas. |
| Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau [200] |
Indicator 41: Post Secondary Education
"Higher levels of education are associated with longer and healthier life. In addition, education beyond high school is increasingly necessary for attaining career goals."[204]
2000 Post Secondary Education Information
Post secondary education information
| Location |
Population Percentage with Bachelors Degree or Higher |
| Fargo |
34.4% |
| Cass County |
31.3% |
| Norh Dakota |
22.0% |
| United States |
24.4% |
| 2010 numbers unavailable as of April, 2010 |
| Percentage of the population over age 25 with a Bachelors degree or higher in respective geographic areas. |
| Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau [205] |
Indicator 42: High School Graduation Rate
"A high school diploma is a sign of basic academic competence. It is generally considered a minimum requirement for entry into the workforce and is an essential prerequisite for additional education and training." [206]
| Location |
2006-2007 |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
| Fargo |
90.7% |
89.2% |
87.0% |
83.1% |
| North Dakota |
86.2% |
87.7% |
86.9% |
85.4% |
| Data Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction [207] |
|
|
Cohort rate is estimated from the number of graduates and the number of dropouts in the cohort during their four years in high school in respective geographic areas.
Indicator 43: Age Dependency Ratio
"The total dependency ratio measures the dependency that non-working age people have on working-age people. It indicates the economic responsibility of those economically active in providing for those that are not." [208]
Age Dependency Ratio
| Location |
Ratio |
| Fargo |
45/100 (45%) |
| Cass County |
49/100 (49%) |
| North Dakota |
66/100 (66%) |
| United States |
61/100 (61%) |
| 2010 numbers unavailable as of April, 2011 |
| Ratio of youth (ages 0 - 17) and elderly (65+) to 100 working-age (ages 18 - 64) residents in respective geographic areas |
| Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau [209] |
Indicator 44: Household Growth
"The household composition of a city can provide leaders critical intelligence as to the kinds of housing and services they need to provide."[79]
Household Growth Information
| Location |
1990 |
2000 |
Increase Percentage |
| Fargo |
30,340 |
39,268 |
29.4% |
| Cass County |
40,478 |
51,315 |
26.8% |
| North Dakota |
241,802 |
257,152 |
6.3% |
| United States |
91,993,582 |
105,480,101 |
14.7% |
| 2010 numbers unavailable as of April, 2011 |
| Number of households in respective geographic areas |
| Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1990 [211] and *U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 [212] |
