![Which Cities Have the Nation’s Lowest Unemployment Rates?](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/tsminteractive.com/files/2012/08/helpwanted-300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Which Cities Have the Nation’s Lowest Unemployment Rates?
The nation’s unemployment rate is currently stuck at 8.3 percent, but in some cities, it’s much lower. So if you’re okay with relocating, where should you start your job search?
According to Forbes, many of the 21 cities with the lowest unemployment rates have a few things in common.
For starters, several have a state-run university or college in the region, and all those students coming and going create their own economic boom.
Others have robust health care or tourism industries, while some have strong regional industries — for example, quite a few cities on the list are in oil-rich North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas.
Finally, a good number have fewer than 100,000 residents, which means the unemployment rate can change quickly depending on the month or season.
CITIES WITH LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
1. Bismark, ND – 2.8 percent
2. Fargo, ND – 3.5 percent
3. Lincoln, NE – 3.7 percent
4. Sioux Falls, SD – 3.9 percent
5. Iowa City, IA and Rapid City, SD – 4.2 percent
6. Grand Forks, ND; Midland, TX; Omaha, NE; and Council Bluffs, IA – 4.3 percent
7. Burlington/South Burlington, VT – 4.4 percent
8. Ames, IA and Portsmouth, NH – 4.5 percent
9. Dubuque, IA and Logan, UT – 4.7 percent
10. Billings, MT; Columbia, MO; and Odessa, TX – 4.9 percent
11. Oklahoma City, OK and Rochester, MN – 5 percent
12. Mankato/North Mankato, MN – 5.1 percent
13. Casper, WY – 5.2 percent
[Forbes]
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