Goal: Cass County residents will have the economic means to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
"Income that is slightly above the poverty level is not adequate for a reasonable standard of living. The indicators for this goal deal with several aspects of employment, income, and a households ability to live a decent life."[192]
Indicator 35: Median Family Income
"Income and poverty levels reflect the ability of residents to provide for themselves and their families, their capacity to support neighborhood businesses, and their prospects for building assets for the future."[193]
2000 Median Family Income
Median income of families in respective geographic areas.
| Location |
Median Family Income |
| Fargo |
$50,486 |
| Cass County |
$51,469 |
| North Dakota |
$43,654 |
| United States |
$50,046 |
According to the Census Bureau glossary:
- "A family is a group of two or more people who reside together and who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
- A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence."
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau[194]
Median Family Income
Estimated median family income in respective geographic areas.
| Location |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| *Metro |
$65,000 |
$64,100 |
$66,400 |
$69,300 |
$68,100 |
| North Dakota |
$57,000 |
$56,100 |
$58,200 |
$60,700 |
$61,500 |
| United States |
$59,600 |
$59,000 |
$61,500 |
$64,000 |
$64,400 |
| Estimated median family income in respective geographic areas. |
| *Metro: Fargo, ND Moorhead, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) |
| Data Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development[195] |
Indicator 36: Poverty
"Measuring the percentage of people who live in poverty gives an indication of how many people are not financially able to maintain a minimum standard of living. [196]
Percentage of individuals below poverty in respective geographic areas.
| Location |
Population |
| Fargo |
11.8% |
| Cass County |
10.1% |
| North Dakota |
11.9% |
| United States |
12.4% |
| Percentage of individuals below poverty in respective geographic areas. |
| >Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau[194] |
Indicator 37: Unemployment
"Unemployment rates are important for individuals and communities. At the individual level, unemployment reduces household income, can limit access to health insurance, and contributes to psychological stress. At the community level, increases in unemployment can be a reflection of the ability of the community to provide employment and can place demands on community services."[197]
The number of people unemployed as a percentage of the labor force in respective geographic areas.
| Location |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Fargo |
2.7% |
2.7% |
2.5% |
2.8% |
2.7% |
4.3% |
3.9% |
| Cass County |
2.6% |
2.7% |
2.6% |
3.0% |
2.7% |
4.2% |
3.9% |
| *Metro |
2.9% |
2.8% |
2.7% |
3.3% |
2.9% |
4.4% |
4.1% |
| North Dakota(SA) |
3.4% |
3.4% |
3.2% |
3.2% |
3.2% |
4.3% |
3.9% |
| United States(SA) |
5.5% |
5.1% |
4.6% |
4.6% |
5.8% |
9.3% |
9.6% |
| The number of people unemployed as a percentage of the labor force in respective geographic areas. |
| *Metro: Fargo, ND Moorhead, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| SA: Seasonally Adjusted |
| Data Sources: North Dakota Job Service[198] |
Indicator 38: No High School Diploma
"The level of education attained is an indirect measure of literacy in a community. Literacy is vital to the development of strong families, which are an essential element in building and maintaining healthy communities."[24]
Adults Without a Diploma in 2000
Percentage of population over 25 years with a 12th grade or less education and no diploma in respective geographic areas.
| Location |
Adults Without a Diploma |
| Fargo |
9.0% |
| Cass County |
9.1% |
| North Dakota |
16.1% |
| United States |
19.6% |
| Percentage of population over 25 years with a 12th grade or less education and no diploma in respective geographic areas. |
| Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau[200] |
