The Bakken oil boom dwarfs previous oil production expansions in Montana and North Dakota. Explore a range of economic, demographic and financial data for the Bakken, and learn about factors driving jobs and other forms of development in the oil patch of North Dakota and Montana.
Employment - 12-month moving average
Data Dashboard
Employment (Thousands)1
| Apr 2013 | Pct. change from a year earlier | |
|---|---|---|
| Bakken Oil Counties | 91.0 | 20.7% |
| Rest of Montana | 466.1 | 1.8% |
| Rest of North Dakota | 304.4 | -1.5% |
Summary
Employment levels have increased over 70 percent in the Bakken area since 2009. During this time, employment in the rest of North Dakota was relatively flat, while employment in Montana dipped during the recession.
Unemployment rate - 12-month moving average
Data Dashboard
Unemployment Rate1
| Apr 2013 | Pct. point change from a year earlier | |
|---|---|---|
| Bakken Oil Counties | 1.7% | -0.3% |
| Rest of Montana | 5.9% | -0.6% |
| Rest of North Dakota | 3.7% | 0.0% |
Summary
Unemployment rates in North Dakota within and outside the Bakken remained low during the recession and the oil boom. The decrease in unemployment in the Bakken since 2009 has been much sharper than in other areas.
1 12-month moving average
Average weekly wages
4 quarter moving average in 2012 dollars
Data Dashboard
Average Weekly Wages
| Third Quarter 2012 | Pct. point change from a year earlier | |
|---|---|---|
| Bakken Oil Counties | $1,217 | 17.1% |
| Rest of Montana | $703 | 1.0% |
| Rest of North Dakota | $776 | 3.6% |
County Unemployment Rate
Slideshow of maps showing the historical county unemployment rate in the Bakken area
12-month moving average
<3% 3 to 4% 4 to 5% 5 to 6% 6 to 7% >7%
January 2013
October 2012
July 2012
April 2012
January 2012
October 2011
July 2011
April 2011
January 2011
October 2010
July 2010
April 2010
January 2010
October 2009
July 2009
April 2009
January 2009
October 2008
July 2008
April 2008
January 2008
October 2007
July 2007
April 2007
January 2007
October 2006
July 2006
April 2006
January 2006
October 2005
July 2005
April 2005
January 2005
October 2004
July 2004
April 2004
January 2004
County Employment Change
Slideshow of maps showing the county employment rate change in the Bakken area
12-month moving average
<-4% -4% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% to 2% >2%
January 2013
October 2012
July 2012
April 2012
January 2012
October 2011
July 2011
April 2011
January 2011
October 2010
July 2010
April 2010
January 2010
October 2009
July 2009
April 2009
January 2009
October 2008
July 2008
April 2008
January 2008
October 2007
July 2007
April 2007
January 2007
October 2006
July 2006
April 2006
January 2006
October 2005
July 2005
April 2005
January 2005
October 2004
July 2004
April 2004
January 2004
The Bakken area
Detailed map of the oil patch in the Ninth District
Definition for oil production: North Dakota production is from Bakken, Sanish, Three Forks and Bakken/Three Forks Pools as reported by the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources. Montana production is total production from Richland, Roosevelt and Sheridan counties.
Definition for economic indicators: North Dakota counties: Billings, Burke, Divide, Dunn, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Mountrail, Stark, and Williams. Montana counties: Richland, Roosevelt, and Sheridan.
Recent Trends in the Bakken [pdf]
Full Report [pdf]
Data on demographic, economic and financial activity in the Bakken as of December 20, 2012
More about oil in the Ninth District
Bakken activity: How wide is the ripple effect?
fedgazette, May 7, 2013
Working on the railroad - and the pipeline
fedgazette, April 23, 2013
Dealing with gas
fedgazette, April 23, 2013
Booming sales in North Dakota
fedgazette, February 8, 2013
Frac sand mining spurs rural rail
fedgazette Roundup, July 19, 2012
Sand surge
fedgazette, July 16, 2012
Desperately seeking workers in the oil patch
fedgazette, April 18, 2012
No room at the inn
fedgazette, April 18, 2012
Faces and places from the oil patch
fedgazette, April 18, 2012
After the oil rush
fedgazette, September 1, 2009
Location of the Bakken in the Ninth District
Jobs in the oil patch
Video: fedgazette Senior Writer Phil Davies talks about jobs in the oil patch
