Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in June, continuing at or below 3 percent for the 10th consecutive month.
The state’s labor force – the total number of people 16 years of age and older working or looking for work – continued to increase, gaining 971 people from May to June for a total of 851,599. Total employment increased by 1,032 to 827,084, keeping pace with the state’s labor force growth, while the number of unemployed remained virtually unchanged at 24,515.
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 2,000 in June. Five industry sectors – professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; education and health services; construction; and trade, transportation and utilities – all exceeded seasonal expectations for a combined increase of 2,700 jobs.
Three sectors – financial activities, manufacturing and government – decreased by a total of 700 jobs from May, while employment in natural resources, information and other services remained unchanged.
Year over year, the state continued to see strong job growth as employers increased payrolls. Total nonfarm jobs grew by 3 percent – for a total of 21,700 jobs – the fastest growth rate in the nation in June, tied with Utah.
Nez Perce County reported 2.7 percent unemployment in June; Clearwater County had the highest jobless rate in the state at 6.8 percent; Idaho County was 4.8 percent; Lewis County reported 5.9 percent and Latah County’s June unemployment rate was 2.4 percent. (Idaho Department of Labor)
