Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell slightly to 2.8 percent in August, continuing at or below 3 percent for the 12th consecutive month.
The state’s labor force was virtually unchanged, breaking a streak of month-to-month increases, while total employment increased slightly to nearly 828,900.
Manufacturing, construction, other services, and government all exceeded seasonal expectations for a combined increase of 800 jobs. Natural resources, information, and financial activities remained unchanged.
Leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, education and health services, and trade, transportation and utilities all saw losses.
Two of Idaho’s five Metropolitan Statistical Areas – Boise and Coeur d’Alene – experienced month-over-month job gains, while Lewiston and Idaho Falls saw lob losses, and Pocatello’s nonfarm jobs went unchanged from July to August. County unemployment numbers for August won’t be released until next week.
Year over year, the state continued to see strong job growth, with nonfarm jobs increasing by more than 3 percent, led by construction and manufacturing. (Idaho Department of Labor)
