February 6, 2003

North Dakota has Highest Proportion of Teens in School

Nearly 87 percent of persons ages 16 to 19 in North Dakota were civilians enrolled in school in 2000, the highest proportion in the nation.

According to the recent Population Bulletin released from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, of those North Dakota civilians ages 16 to 19 enrolled in school, 46.1 percent were employed compared to 37.4 percent nationwide. "Workforce activity is very high in our state and throughout the Upper Great Plains. The high proportion of youth employed reflect both the work ethic of the region and the economic reality," said Richard Rathge, director of the state data center. "The poor economy is requiring more family members to pitch in to keep the family financially afloat. Nonetheless, the data clearly show that education is viewed as a key to success which encourages youth to remain in school regardless of economic circumstance."

Less than 1 percent of all persons ages 16 to 19 in North Dakota were in the Armed Forces in 2000, down from 1.2 percent in 1990 and 2.4 percent in 1980.

Civilian youth ages 16 to 19 who are not enrolled in school and not high school graduates comprised less than 5 percent of all persons ages 16 to 19 in 2000. Of this 5 percent in North Dakota, less than half (45.6 percent) were employed in 2000 compared to 43.8 percent nationwide. These proportions are up slightly from a decade earlier.

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Sources: Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard.rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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