Job growth (2000-2011):
10.8%
If you're more comfortable pounding the pavement than hiking South Dakota's pine forests, then head east to Minnehaha County. Sioux Falls, the state's most cosmopolitan city, is located here and offers the perks of urban life while still maintaining a small-town feel.
Manufacturing and agriculture have long been economic anchors in the county, but a tax-friendly environment and the amenities of Sioux Falls have also made the area a destination for financial services firms like Wells Fargo and Citigroup.
After a rough period, hiring in the financial sector looks to be rebounding. TCF Bank launched a new operations center in Sioux Falls in May that is anticipated to add more than 200 new jobs.
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