Sioux Falls Metro Reclaims Top Spot with 1.7 Percent Unemployment

November 2, 2026 - 23:00

In September, the Sioux Falls metro area regained its spot as one of the areas with the lowest jobless rates in the country, posting an unemployment rate of 1.7 percent. The figure places the region back at the top of the national rankings after a brief slip in previous months.

The rate reflects a labor market that remains tight, with employers continuing to struggle to fill open positions across a range of industries. Local economists note that such low unemployment typically signals strong demand for workers, though it also limits the pool of available candidates for businesses looking to expand.

Compared with the national rate, the Sioux Falls figure stands out as significantly lower, underscoring the relative strength of the regional economy. Neighboring metro areas in the state also recorded low rates, but Sioux Falls led the group.

Workforce officials say the challenge ahead is not attracting jobs but finding enough people to fill them. Efforts to draw workers from outside the region and to encourage participation among those on the sidelines of the labor force are expected to continue. For now, the September numbers confirm that the local job market remains among the tightest in the nation.