Fargo, North Dakota
Richard Cummins | Lonely Planet Images | Getty Images
Category Score 2013 Rank 2012 Rank
Cost of Doing Business3001216
Workforce199810
Quality of Life22655
Infrastructure & Transportation233215
Economy29822
Education643619
Technology & Innovation794647
Business Friendliness16164
Cost of Living213028
Access to Capital112943
Overall159235

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Governor: Jack Dalrymple (R)

Population: 699,628

GDP growth: 13.4 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2013): 3.2 percent

Top corporate rate: 5.15 percent

Top individual tax rate: 3.99 percent

Gasoline tax: 23 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/Stable

Major private employers: North Dakota State University, Altru Health System, Sanford Health, St. Alexius Medical Center, Trinity Health, US Bank, Bobcat Co., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Dakota, Noridian Mutual Insurance Co., LM Wind Power

Economic profile sources: American Petroleum Institute (April 2013), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2012), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2013 release), CareerOneStop, Moody's Investors Service (senior-most tax-backed ratings), National Governors Association, Tax Foundation (2013), U.S. Census Bureau (2012 estimate)