August 12, 1999 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Agriculture employment most widespread by far in West North Central States

In 1997, the States in the West North Central area had the highest proportion of employed persons working in farming, forestry, and fishing occupations. More than one in 20 employed persons in the West North Central area worked in these occupations.

Percent of employed persons working in farming, forestry, and fishing, by area, 1997
[Chart data—TXT]

In other areas in the western part of the country, about one in 30 employed persons were in agricultural occupations. In the Pacific area, 3.5 percent had jobs in farming, forestry, and fishing, while in the Mountain area and West South Central areas, the percentages were 3.4 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. These proportions were all well below the 5.6-percent figure for workers in West North Central States.

In the Northeastern region of the country, workers were least likely to work in farming, forestry, and fishing occupations. Only 1.7 percent of workers in New England and 1.4 percent in the Middle Atlantic were in agricultural occupations.

These data on employment are a product of the Current Population Survey. The data refer to the primary jobs of employed persons. Additional information is available from Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment, 1997 (PDF, 966K), (BLS Bulletin 2515). West North Central States include Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

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