What You Should Know #3 – Federal Data Tools And ND Employment Growth

📊 Federal Data Tool Upgrades That Matter to Small Businesses

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – July 2025 Data.census.gov Newsletter

Small business owners and consultants who rely on demographic or geographic data to guide decisions—whether for expansion, marketing, or grant applications—will find the following updates to data.census.gov useful:

• New Mapping Functionality: You can now easily switch between detailed population groups (e.g., Japanese alone, Korean alone) via a new “Dimensions” dropdown when using map tools. The site also now saves your selection in the URL for easier sharing and repeat access.

• Microdata Tool Enhancements: The Microdata Access Tool (MDAT) has improved link-sharing functionality, warning users only when a link is truly too long to share—a useful upgrade for analysts and those collaborating on reports.

• Table Download Improvements: The “Save” button is now easier to find when saving tables, and large table printing is improved through Excel export. These refinements make it faster to pull local population, workforce, or housing data for business grant applications or expansion analysis.

• Mobile and Accessibility Enhancements: Navigation has been simplified for mobile and keyboard users—helpful for business owners accessing data on the go.

🔗 Business Tip: If you’re applying for a state or federal grant, planning a new location, or justifying hiring strategies, now is a great time to explore improved population and employment mapping on data.census.gov.

📈 North Dakota Sees Modest Employment Growth in Healthcare, Government, and Retail

Source: North Dakota Job Service – Nonfarm Employment (May 2025)

Small businesses across North Dakota should take note: employment is climbing in several key sectors, suggesting both opportunities and competition in hiring.

• Statewide Overview:
  North Dakota’s nonfarm employment rose 1.6% year-over-year (+7,100 jobs). The Healthcare sector led growth with +1,900 jobs, followed by Government (+1,100), Retail (+1,000), and Construction (+800).

• Industries Facing Decline:
  Jobs declined in Manufacturing (-700), Leisure & Hospitality (-700), and Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities (-600).

📍Regional Highlights for May 2025:

• Fargo:
  Strongest growth in Healthcare (+1,000) and Retail (+500). However, losses appeared in Leisure & Hospitality (-500) and Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities (-300).

• Grand Forks:
  Five of twelve sectors saw increases; top gains were in Healthcare (+600) and Retail (+300). Leisure & Hospitality fell by -100 jobs.

• Bismarck:
  Growth in Healthcare (+400) and Construction (+200) was offset by small declines in Professional Services and Leisure & Hospitality (-200).

• Minot:
  A mixed month. Only one sector—Professional & Business Services—grew (+100), while Leisure & Hospitality (-200) and Mining (-200) declined.

🔎 Business Takeaway:

If you’re in healthcare, retail, or construction, prepare for continued labor competition. If you operate in hospitality or manufacturing, watch for potential shifts in workforce availability or spending trends.

   ~  We continue to search for information that keeps you in the know and condense it into easy-to-understand and quick to read data so you can get on with business.

Jan Wangler, Executive Director