Category Archives: News Releases

Idaho’s December unemployment rate remains at 3.3%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 19, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov
or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between November and December, remaining at 3.3%.

The state’s labor force increased by 1,616 people (0.2%) to 975,560.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased from November’s 62.5% to 62.4% in December.

Total employment increased by 1,178 (0.1%) to 942,919 as unemployment increased by 438 (1.4%) to 32,641.

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Over 150 jobs available at Labor’s Post Falls hiring event, Jan. 17

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 11, 2024
Media Contact: Tara.McKelvey@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event in Post Falls on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This event takes place at the department’s Post Falls local office, located at 600 N. Thornton St.

While over 1,000 job openings are currently listed in Kootenai County, Labor Economist Sam Wolkenhauer shared the top five industries looking for workers include administrative and support services; hospitals; ambulatory healthcare services; food services and drinking places; and insurance carriers and related activities. Continue reading →

Celebrating Idaho Human Rights Day

NEWS RELEASEIHRC logo

For Immediate Release: Jan. 10, 2024
Information Contact: Benjamin.Earwicker@labor.idaho.gov, 208-334-2873, ext. 4055

Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, marks the 37th year that Idaho has celebrated Idaho Human Rights/Martin Luther King Jr. Day, first commemoratively and later as a state holiday.

The public is invited to attend a ceremony for Idaho Human Rights Day and the annual event commemorating Dr. King’s birthday on the second floor of the State Capitol Building Rotunda from noon to 1 p.m.

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Healthcare Career Event set for Jan. 17 in Lewiston

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 10, 2024
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Statewide, the demand for healthcare jobs is increasing while local healthcare companies continue to struggle with staffing levels to meet the demand for services.

Idaho healthcare and social service jobs have increased by 7,800 (7.3%) over the past year. Statewide – department of Labor analysts conservatively project this industry to add another 4,500 jobs during 2024.

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2024 Labor market webinar series starts Tuesday, Jan. 9

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 4, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Labor Research Supervisor Craig Shaul will provide an overview of Labor’s Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee presentation during a webinar Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m.

Afterwards, Jan Roeser, labor economist for southwestern Idaho, will discuss Idaho’s results from the American Community Survey.

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Labor’s TAA program helps laid-off workers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 8, 2024
Media Contact: Kathy.Nesmith@labor.idaho.gov

Employee layoffs are common when a U.S. company offshores some of its production or is sold to an international firm that does similar work in a foreign country.

James Black experienced a job loss when his employer closed a large section of its manufacturing division in 2013. The jobs and a portion of the production of articles and supply of services shifted to a foreign country. Through the federally funded Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, Black and other affected coworkers have access to reemployment benefits.

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Learn about AmeriCorps with Serve Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 4, 2024
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are invited to attend a virtual presentation on Jan. 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. (MT) to learn about AmeriCorps grant opportunities. AmeriCorps is a federal grant program that provides funding to organizations to expand their impact.

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Idaho’s 2023 population growth outpaces the nation

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 5, 2024
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s population growth in 2023 was double the national average of 0.5%. The U.S. added 1.6 million people, bringing its population estimate to 334,914,895 — higher than the growth rate of 0.4% in 2022 and 0.2% in 2021.

The U.S. Census estimates Idaho’s July 2023 population at 1,964,726 — an increase of 1.3% from July 2022 — ranking it fourth nationally in percentage growth. Despite the state’s position as 17th in numerical growth and falling from its top 10 status of the past two years, Idaho still outpaces the national population growth rate.

While most states experienced a population rebound from 2022 to 2023, only eight saw a decline — a contrast to the 18 declining states from 2021 to 2022.

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Idaho’s 15% median household income growth highest in nation

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 28, 2023
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

Correction: language was added to clarify that Idaho’s median household income growth (in dollar amount) of $9,153 ranked 5th in the nation, not Idaho’s overall median household income ($70,214).
Correction: the formatting of the y-axis for Figure 2 has been corrected, the previous version incorrectly listed dollar amounts.

-Housing units surge by 57,000-

Idaho led the nation for median household income growth at a rate of 15%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey. The state’s median household income increased by $9,153 from the 2013-2017 survey, ranking 5th in the nation for dollar-for-dollar growth. The 2018-2022 survey puts Idaho’s median household income at $70,214. The American Community Survey also provides multi-year estimates for all 50 states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

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Idaho November unemployment rate edges up to 3.3%

-State second in nation for nonfarm job growth at 3.1%-

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.3% in November from 3.2% in October.

The state’s labor force increased by 2,771 people (0.3%) to 973,924.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work – increased from October’s 62.4% to 62.5% in November.

Total employment increased by 2,017 (0.2%) to 941,711 as unemployment increased by 754 (2.4%) to 32,213.

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