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Idaho’s June unemployment rate remains at 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2026
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between May and June, staying at 3.7%.

June’s labor force decreased by 1,913 (-0.2%) people to 1,000,382 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.2 percentage points between May and June to 61.8%.

Total employment decreased by 2,028 (-0.2%) to 963,614 and unemployment increased by 115 (0.3%) to 36,768. Continue reading →

Department of Labor names new economist for northern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Lorren MorganLorren Morgan is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for northern Idaho, covering Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties. He replaces the previous economist, Sam Wolkenhauer, who is the research analyst supervisor at the department.

Morgan earned a bachelor’s of science in biology with two minors in economics and chemistry from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in 2022.

He briefly attended the University of Washington School of Medicine before pivoting toward economics to complete a post‑baccalaureate bachelor’s of science in economics at EWU in 2026.

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Past 100 years of Idaho’s history inform current job trends

July 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States and the 136th anniversary of Idaho’s statehood. As the 43rd state admitted to the union in 1890, Idaho is a relatively young entrant, but its first few decades of statehood have proven to be pivotal cornerstones for the current labor market trends of the 2020s.

Idaho’s formation as an agricultural state

The federal passage of the 1894 Carey Act allowed arid western states like Idaho to reclaim up to one million acres of what was previously deemed as unusable desert federal land. After reclamation, states could then grant the productive land to settlers in up to 160-acre parcels.[1]

Most Carey Act projects were funded between 1905-1923. Idaho was considered one of the program’s primary beneficiaries as it far exceeded the initial one million acres. By 1920, approximately one-fourth of Idaho’s 2.5 million irrigated acres were a direct result of Carey Act projects.[2] Continue reading →

Northern Idaho event will feature hiring employers and resources

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 9, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event and resource fair Tuesday, July 14, at North Idaho College.

The address is 495 N. College Dr.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Heritage Health, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, North Idaho College, Northwest Traffic Control LLC, SAGE Truck Driving Schools, Silverlake Automotive, Spokane Produce and more.

Continue reading →

Learn about the past 100 years of Idaho employment at Labor webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 7, 2026
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Lisa Grigg will compare and contrast how economic factors in the 1920s and 2020s have structurally shaped Idaho employment in a webinar, Tuesday, July 14.

“Both of these eras – 100 years apart – highlight how Idaho’s labor market has adapted to significant technological shifts and external labor shocks,” Grigg said. “Many decisions in the 1920s surrounding the state’s natural resources and occupational roles laid important cornerstones for the labor market of today.”

Continue reading →

Department of Labor names new economist for southwestern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov

Knox Freedman headshotKnox Freedman is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for southwestern Idaho, covering Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington counties. He replaces the previous economist, Jan Roeser.

Freedman earned two bachelor’s of business administration degrees in economics and finance from Idaho State University in 2022. After being in the workforce, he decided to return to school and earned a master’s degree in economics at Boise State University (BSU) in 2025.

Continue reading →

Economic snapshot: Tourism industry adapts to economic shifts in Idaho

The summer tourism season is upon us in Idaho, driving significant spending across the state. Employment within Leisure and Hospitality, and other supporting industries, are significant factors and central to tourist activity.

Tourism spending shows growth

Idaho’s tourism spending reveals progressive growth in the Leisure and Hospitality industry from 2015 to 2023, when Idaho Commerce first began collecting the data. This is shown in Figure 1. The majority of tourism spending was from dining at over $1.2 billion.

Other direct industry-supporting sectors like Retail and Transportation also shared this growth. Tourists in Idaho spent an estimated total of $4.3 billion in 2023, according to the latest report.1

The Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industry had an initial increase in consumer spending which overall has created an increase in economic activity. This has been the same in other related industries such as Accommodation and Food Service, Retail and Transportation.

This increase is shown in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industry where every dollar spent generates an additional $0.70 in related economic activity. 2  Targeted tourist activity, like visiting a state park, attending a golf tournament or ski trip, further supports revenue to other establishments like shuttle companies, hotels, restauranteurs and shop owners.

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, June 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of June and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Regional news

  • The northern region reported 52 average weekly initial unemployment insurance claims and 474 average weekly continuing claims during May 2026. Initial claim volume decreased 22% from the previous month and 9% from the 57 average weekly initial claims filed in May 2025. Continuing weekly claim volume in the northern region during May decreased 38% from April 2026 and 14% from the 550 average weekly claims in May 2025. Statewide, weekly initial claims decreased 2% from April 2026 and 25% from May 2025. Statewide continuing claims also decreased 19% from last month and 8% from May 2025. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Encompass Health plans to build a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Post Falls. Construction is planned to be completed in 2028 and will be the second location in Idaho — along with Boise. Source: Encompass Health
  • Jacklin Northwest is developing Jacklin Ranch Retail Center in Post Falls with 12 leasable spaces covering 18,000 square feet. The groundbreaking is planned for fall 2026 with completion in 2027. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining grossed over $300 million in proceeds after closing an initial public offering of 23 million shares of common stock. The Sunshine Mine is expected to restart silver and antimony operations in late 2028 with plans for a 24-year mine life. Source: Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining

Continue reading →

Nampa Public Library and Idaho Department of Labor hosts Third Annual Hiring and Resource Fair

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is cohosting a hiring and resource fair with the Nampa Public Library on Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event takes place at the Nampa Public Library located at 215 12th Ave. S.

Job seekers will have an opportunity to meet with many employers to discuss job openings including Autozone Auto Parts, City of Boise, City of Nampa, CS Beef Packers, Gem County, Idaho Air National Guard, Idaho Central Credit Union, Idaho Public Television, Lactalis American Group, Simplot and more.

The positions available range from excavation operators, skilled trade technicians, maintenance technicians, heavy equipment operators, certified nursing assistants, bus drivers, customer service specialists and others.

Community resources attending include Advocates Against Family Violence, Glocal Friend Partner, Icarus Wellness and Recovery, Nampa Family Personal Center, Valley Regional Transit and more.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s May unemployment rate increases to 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2026
Media Contact: Samuel.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased between April and May, from 3.6% to 3.7%.

May’s labor force decreased by 1,203 (-0.1%) people to 1,002,324 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.2 percentage points between April and May, down to 62.0%.

Total employment decreased by 1,349 (-0.1%) to 965,666 and unemployment increased by 146 (0.4%) to 36,658. Continue reading →