Yep. We're so popular, they're writing national articles on us. ;o)
Here's the article:
15 Great Cities for Job SeekersBy Meg Donohue, CareerBuilder.com writer The harsh truth of job-hunting is that in some cities, no matter how hard you look, there just aren't enough jobs to go around. Since a low unemployment rate is an indication of a city with a proportionate number of jobs for its population, it stands to reason that cities with minimal unemployment rates represent promising economic environments for job seekers. The 15 cities in this list have unemployment rates well below the national average (4.5 percent in December 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). To create a comprehensive portrait of the employment conditions of each area, we've also included the mean annual wage as well as the most prevalent local industries and occupations. Local chamber of commerce and tourism Web sites are additional resources for job seekers interested in learning more about a specific location.
1. Fargo, N.D.Unemployment rate: 1.7 percent *Mean annual wage: $32,580*Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (22.8 percent)**Predominant occupation: 33.4 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations**
2. Logan, UtahUnemployment rate: 2.0 percent Mean annual wage: $29,520Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (29.1 percent)Predominant occupation: 32.7 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
3. Billings, Mont.Unemployment rate: 2.1 percent Mean annual wage: $31,290Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (21.4 percent)Predominant occupation: 31.9 percent of workers are employed in sales and office occupations
4. Charlottesville, Va.Unemployment rate: 2.1 percent Mean annual wage: $38,490Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (39.3 percent)Predominant occupation: 44 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
5. St. George, UtahUnemployment rate: 2.2 percent Mean annual wage: $29,770Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (18.1 percent)Predominant occupation: 29.2 percent of workers are employed in sales and office occupations
6. Provo-Orem, UtahUnemployment rate: 2.2 percent Mean annual wage: $38,490Industry with largest percentage of workforce (Provo): Educational, health and social services (32.7 percent)Predominant occupation (Provo): 38.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
7. Bismarck, N.D.Unemployment rate: 2.3 percent Mean annual wage: $31,580Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (32.7 percent)Predominant occupation: 38.2 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
8. Ames, IowaUnemployment rate: 2.3 percent Mean annual wage: $36,050Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (39.1 percent)Predominant occupation: 47.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
9. Iowa City, IowaUnemployment rate: 2.3 percent Mean annual wage: $32,530Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (44.3 percent)Predominant occupation: 43.6 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
10. Huntsville, Ala.Unemployment rate: 2.3 percent Mean annual wage: $39,540Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (19.7 percent)Predominant occupation: 44.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
11. Idaho Falls, IdahoUnemployment rate: 2.4 percent Mean annual wage: $32,970Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services (19 percent)Predominant occupation: 37.9 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
12. Sioux Falls, S.D.Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent Mean annual wage: $31,340Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (19.8 percent)Predominant occupation: 33.2 percent of workers are employed in sales and office occupations
13. Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Fla.Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent Mean annual wage: $32,430Industry with largest percentage of workforce (Fort Walton Beach): Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (15.7 percent)Predominant occupation (Fort Walton Beach): 30.3 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
14. Lincoln, Neb.Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent Mean annual wage: $34,020Industry with largest percentage of workforce: Educational, health and social services (24 percent)Predominant occupation: 36 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations
15. Boise City-Nampa, IdahoUnemployment rate: 2.8 percent Mean annual wage: $35,330Industry with largest percentage of workforce (Boise City): Educational, health and social services (17.8 percent)Predominant occupation (Boise City): 38.8 percent of workers are employed in management, professional and related occupations* Unemployment rates and annual wages obtained from BLS in January 2007.
** Industry percentages and predominant occupations obtained from 2000 census.Meg Donohue is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
