NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2024
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov
Editor’s note: This release was updated Dec. 20 at 1:55 p.m. MST to include the following statistic: Idaho’s seasonally adjusted over-the-year nonfarm job increase of 3.1% was first in the nation.
– State first in nation for over-the-year nonfarm job growth at 3.1% –
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7% in November, unchanged from October.
The state’s labor force increased by 3,188 people (0.3%) to 996,574 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 63.3% to 63.4% between October and November.
Total employment increased by 2,537 (0.3%) to 959,460 as unemployment increased by 651 (1.8%) to 37,114.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 3,700 (0.4%) to 883,500. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month increases included finance and insurance (2.3%); durable goods manufacturing (2%); real estate, rental, and leasing (1.7%); construction (1.4%); federal government (1.4%); wholesale trade (1.4%); information (1.1%); other services (0.7%); and private educational services (0.5%).
Industries that experienced job losses in November included arts, entertainment, and recreation (-3%); accommodation and food services (-0.8%); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-0.6%).
Four of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in November. Boise experienced the largest increase at 0.4%, followed by Twin Falls (0.2%), Coeur d’Alene (0.1%) and Idaho Falls (0.1%). Lewiston experienced a decrease of 0.6%, while Pocatello saw no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.7% unemployment rate for November 2024 was up from 3.3% the prior year. The labor force was up 3%, an increase of 29,017 people.
The number of unemployed Idahoans increased 15.2% (4,888) while the total number of employed increased 2.6% (24,129).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 3.1% (26,800) in Idaho — the largest percentage change among all states. Most major industry sectors gained jobs except natural resources (-6.8%); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-6.4%); accommodation and food services (-3.7%); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-1.2%).
All of Idaho’s MSAs saw year-over-year nonfarm job gains in November. Boise had the greatest increase at 4.2%, followed by Pocatello (3.5%), Idaho Falls (3.2%), Twin Falls (1.8%), Lewiston (1%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.8%).
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate increased between October and November, up from 4.1% to 4.2%. The number of unemployed increased by 161,000 to 7.1 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 227,000 to 159.3 million.
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Upcoming Idaho Release Schedule:
Jan. 24, 2025: Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for December 2024
March 17, 2025: Statewide labor force and nonfarm jobs data for January 2025
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.