Significant drops in the number of unemployed Idahoans and people looking for work pushed the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate down to 3.4 percent in April.
Idaho’s labor force dropped by 2,500, while the number of unemployed dropped by 1,500. Combined with a slight decrease of 950 in total employment, the state’s unemployment rate was pushed down by one-tenth of one percent.
Year-over-year, Idaho’s labor force gains remained positive. Nonfarm payroll jobs increased 2.6 percent since April 2016, ranking third in the nation for percentage growth, tied with Florida and Georgia.
Three industry sectors in Idaho experienced larger-than-normal gains in April including leisure and hospitality; manufacturing; and education and health services. Natural resources, information, other services and government met seasonal expectations with no over-the-month job gains or declines. Meanwhile, professional and business services; trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; and construction all experienced larger-than-normal losses. \
April’s jobless rate for Nez Perce County was 2.7 percent; Clearwater County, 8.1 percent; Idaho County, 4.9 percent; Latah County, 2.6 percent; and Lewis County, 6.1 percent. (Idaho Department of Labor)
