Idaho’s September unemployment rate increases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 18, 2024
Media Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

- State first in nation for over-the-month nonfarm job growth at 0.7% -

Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6% in September, up from 3.5% in August.

The state's labor force increased by 4,019 people (0.4%) to 989,744 while the labor force participation rate - the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work - increased from 63.1% to 63.2% between August and September.

Total employment increased by 3,184 (0.3%) to 953,973 as unemployment increased by 835 (2.4%) to 35,771.

Idaho's nonfarm jobs increased by 5,800 (0.7%) to 879,200 - the largest percentage change among all states. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month increases included real estate, rental, and leasing (2.6%); state government (2.6%); natural resources (2.5%); private educational services (1.6%); durable goods manufacturing (1.3%); wholesale trade (1.3%); accommodation and food services (1.2%); professional and business services (1.2%); financial and insurance (1%); federal government (0.7%) and construction (0.6%).

Industries that experienced job losses in September included arts, entertainment, and recreation (-1.1%); information (-1.1%) and other services (-0.8%).

Three of Idaho's six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in July. Idaho Falls experienced the largest increase at 0.4%, followed by Boise (0.3%) and Coeur d'Alene (0.1%). Pocatello and Twin Falls experienced decreases of 2.4% and 0.4%, respectively. Lewiston was unchanged in September.

Year over Year

Idaho's 3.6% unemployment rate for September 2024 was up from 3.3% the prior year. The labor force was up 2.4%, an increase of 22,901 people.

The number of unemployed Idahoans increased 12.1% (3,865) while the total number of employed increased 2% (19,036).

Total nonfarm jobs increased by 3.4% (29,200). Most major industry sectors gained jobs except information (-6.4%); other services (-5.4%); natural resources (-2.4%); accommodation and food services (-1.9%); retail trade (-0.9%); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-0.6%); and finance and insurance (-0.3%).

All of Idaho's MSAs saw year-over-year nonfarm job gains in September. Boise had the greatest increase at 3.8%, followed by Idaho Falls (3.2%), Lewiston (2.7%), Pocatello (1.8%), Coeur d'Alene (1.3%) and Twin Falls (0.8%).

National Comparisons

Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between August and September, down to 4.1% from 4.2%. The number of unemployed decreased by 281,000 to 6.8 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 254,000 (0.2%) to 159.1 million.

-end-

Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:

Nov. 22, 2024: Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for October 2024
Dec. 20, 2024: Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for November 2024

Find more labor market information at lmi.idaho.gov

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information Grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.

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