The boom in the state’s oil patch and strong farm prices have given a big boost to personal incomes in North Dakota, putting per capita pay in some places on par with the most famously rich counties in the U.S.
Three western North Dakota counties — Williams, Billings and LaMoure — posted average personal incomes in 2011 that place them sixth ($81,170), 11th ($76,798), and 14th ($74,875), respectively, among the nation’s 3,113 counties, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.LaMoure County is an outlier: way east of the oil patch and far from any large metropolitan area. This county, about 1,100 square miles in size (compare with Rhode Island, 1,200 square miles), has a population of about 4,000 people, giving it a population density of about 4 people per square mile.
Notably missing: McKenzie County.
Quick! Name the biggest town in LaMoure County.
Easy...Lamoure
ReplyDeleteThank you. And checking out the town's website, I still don't know what accounts for the high pay. But it must be a great story waiting to be told.
DeleteShocker Williams County North Dakota just behind Arlington County Virgina in average personal income. Also Clay County Minnesota, Moorhead is $10 thousand behind Case County North Dakota, Fargo. I would think with that difference Moorhead is a pretty sleepy place.
ReplyDeleteCould a state's policy in regards to business and taxes be the difference? I think so.
Wow, $10,000 delta, and just across the river from each other. Hmmm.
DeleteState assistance is much better in Minnesota versus North Dakota. In the metro area of Fargo-Moorhead, if someone "needs" assistance from the state, it is an easy decision- move to The state of MN. Drive around or live there for a while and you will see!
ReplyDeleteSince the majority of the oil service companies (over 400 alone in WIlliston) are based in Williams county. And the Hess plant in Tioga. Many of these jobs are paying annual wages of 70,000 to 120,000+ ..it would make sense the average wage in Williams county would have gotten so high.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct.
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