[Clemenza]

Actually, it has more to do with demographics/culture (saying anymore on that would get me banned), to say nothing of the fact that most NDers are employed in Ag or Energy. ND is subject to the same whims of the global economy as SC.

Should be mentioned that Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Iowa are always at the top of the list in terms of educational tests and have the lowest rates of divorce, FWIW.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

The real reason South Dakota has such low unemployment is that people simply leave the state when they lose work, and virtually nobody moves TO North Dakota. The state’s population peaked in 1930. They also have a hard time keeping their young people, a source of much hand-wringing in the state, which is graying rapidly.