Author Archives: Idaho Department of Labor

About Idaho Department of Labor

Our vision is to be Idaho’s first choice for employment services. We connect job seekers with Idaho employers, deliver employment services to Idaho businesses and support people during career and life transitions.

Idaho Department of Labor Twin Falls office moves to Parkview Loop beginning Monday

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The department’s Twin Falls office is moving to a new location at 458 Parkview Loop, beginning Monday.

The office will be open to customers Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Customers will get assistance with resume writing, job applications, interview preparation, job training opportunities, community resources and filing for unemployment insurance benefits that was available at the previous location. Continue reading →

Idaho’s population growth rate second in nation for 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s population continued its pattern of growth in 2025 with an over-the-year growth rate of 1.4%, ranking second nationally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent population estimate data. From April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, Idaho grew the fastest in the nation at 10.4% growth, adding 190,610 new residents for a total of 2,029,733 people.

Idaho’s over-the-year population growth rate has bounced between 1.4% and 1.5% over the past three years, significantly lower than the growth rates seen in 2021 and 2022 (3% and 2% respectively). However, the state’s growth in 2025 was still higher than the nation’s growth of 0.5% and that of its contiguous states, including:

  • Utah (1%)
  • Nevada (0.9%)
  • Washington (0.9%)
  • Montana (0.6%)
  • Wyoming (0.3%)
  • Oregon (0.2%)

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, January 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of January 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

  • Amid the warmest winter on record, snowpack across northern Idaho is far below normal, creating what a hydrologist at the Idaho Department of Water Resources have called a “snow drought.” Precipitation levels have been normal, but high temperatures have led to more rain than snow, allowing high runoff. The low snowpack makes it likely that northern Idaho will continue to see drought conditions for the fourth consecutive year. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
  • Heritage Health is breaking ground on Phase 2 of their Center for Healthy Living. When the new phase is completed, it will consolidate a variety of services in a single facility, including medical, dental, pediatric and behavioral health services. The Phase 2 facility will cost $4 million and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • An 85,000 square foot, $5 million indoor pickleball facility is under construction in Post Falls. Slated for opening in June, The Flying Pickle is the first northern Idaho franchise for the Meridian-based company. The facility will include 24 indoor courts. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →

Idaho’s December unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 23, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between November and December, from 3.7% to 3.6%.

December’s labor force increased by 1,628 (0.2%) people to 1,013,141 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – was unchanged between November and December, remaining at 62.9%.

Total employment increased by 1,755 (0.2%) to 976,258 and unemployment decreased by 127 (-0.3%) to 36,883. Continue reading →

Idaho resident finds opportunity in ICONIC program

Johnny Soumie has one word he associates with his experience — opportunity. He was born in France and was eight years old when his family moved from Guana to Idaho. Soumie said it has been a great journey moving to the United States and becoming a U.S. citizen. That journey led him to the Idaho Department of Labor and the ICONIC program.

Soumie’s career path hasn’t been linear, with career changes due to events happening in his life.

Johnny Soumie stands proudly at Land Lab Day in November.

Johnny Soumie stands proudly at Land Lab Day in November.

Continue reading →

Economic snapshot: Idaho’s growing fitness industry

The holiday season is in the rearview mirror and New Year’s resolutions are near to mind. An overwhelmingly popular resolve is to be more active, with gym memberships recently reaching a record-breaking 77 million in the U.S.1 In Idaho, the fitness industry has grown by 85% over the past decade — increasing from 175 to 324 establishments — and has been directly tied to the state’s notable population growth.2

About one in four Americans participate in the fitness and recreational sports center industry (commonly referred to as the “fitness industry”) which includes gyms, sports clubs, swimming complexes, yoga and Pilates studios, skating rinks and hot springs along with indoor soccer, tennis and pickleball courts.3 Continue reading →

MLK – Idaho Human Rights Day celebration takes place at State Capitol, Jan. 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2026
Media Contact: Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D., Benjamin.Earwicker@labor.idaho.gov, 208-696-2448

Monday, Jan. 19, will mark the 39th year that Idaho has celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. – Idaho Human Rights Day, first commemoratively and later as a state holiday.

The public is invited to attend ceremonies in the State Capitol’s second-floor rotunda beginning at noon and concluding at 1 p.m.

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke will present the state proclamation. Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Administrator Benjamin Earwicker and IHRC Commissioners will be speaking at the event.

Continue reading →

Start a new career in 2026 at Coeur d’Alene hiring event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Jan. 14, from noon to 3 p.m. in Coeur d’Alene.

The event takes place at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Employers attending include Access Care At Home, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Ironwood Rehabilitation and Care Center, North Idaho College, Kootenai Health and more.

Positions to explore include caregivers, production workers, assemblers, office supervisors, medical assistants and others.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate at 3.7% in November

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 7, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November was 3.7%. This rate matches the 3.7% unemployment rate published in September. October labor force data was not available due to the federal government shutdown.

November’s labor force was 1,011,367 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – was at 62.9%. Total employment was 974,410 and unemployment was 36,957.

Continue reading →

Devoted husband finds fulfilling job with workforce consultants’ assistance

Solomon Lopez, 73, had his life change in October 2005, when his wife had an accident, was hospitalized and ended up with a disability.

Before this life-changing event, Lopez had a wide variety of job experiences. He had two degrees in civil engineering and sanitary engineering from the Philippines. There, he built 52-story buildings and ran large construction crews.

Solomon Lopez celebrates his accomplishment of employment with Labor staff.

Solomon Lopez celebrates his accomplishment of employment with Labor staff.

Continue reading →