Idaho’s June unemployment rate increases to 3.4%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2024
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov
or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% in June, an increase from May’s rate of 3.3%.

The state’s labor force increased by 2,227 people (0.2%) to 977,902 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 62.7% to 62.8% between May and June.

Total employment increased by 1,649 (0.2%) to 944,740 as unemployment increased by 578 (1.8%) to 33,162.

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Over 1,000 job postings in Boise, employers looking to fill positions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2024
Media Contact: Sheri.Phimmasone@labor.idaho.gov

The top three occupations in Boise with the most job postings in June were registered nurses, retail salespersons and software developers, according to Labor Economist Jan Roeser.

With employers looking to fill open positions, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a Multi-Employer Job Fair, Wednesday, July 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hewlett Packard (otherwise known as the HP Campus) in the Les Bois Conference Room. The address is 11311 W. Chinden Blvd.

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Airport worker fatalities have increased in Idaho

On August 15, 2023, Benjamin Katz of The Wall Street Journal released the article, “More Workers Are Getting Hurt on the Tarmac. ‘It Was Really Frightening.’” In the article, Katz examined Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) data and interviewed multiple airport employees and companies. According to Katz’s findings, there has been a significant increase in work-related injuries for airport workers since the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of worker fatigue, inexperience, lack of government oversight, and lack of training. There has also been a significant turnover in the past five years among airport workers, which potentially expounds these risk factors. 3

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Business openings and job opportunities continue to increase in Canyon County

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2024
Media Contact: Traci.Petitt@labor.idaho.gov

Economic growth since the pandemic has climbed in Canyon County with about 50% more businesses and 20% more jobs. During that same time frame, the county’s average wage grew by 30% compared to inflation at 19%, said Labor Economist with the Idaho Department of Labor Jan Roeser.

“Prospects are encouraging for the area that continue to see housing developments and home values increase in step with its job market,” Roeser said.

To connect job seekers to the many job opportunities and resources in Canyon County, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a career and resource fair, Thursday, July 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nampa Public Library. The address is 215 12th Ave. S.

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Around 530 employers look to fill job openings in Kootenai County

NEWS RELEASE

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

The top industries hiring in Kootenai County are administrative services, ambulatory health care and hospitals, according to Idaho Department of Labor Economist Sam Wolkenhauer.

There are approximately 1,285 job openings in the area. To connect employers to perspective job candidates, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the department’s Post Falls office. The address is 600 N. Thornton St.

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Labor economists dive into Idaho’s fish and wildlife industry, July 9

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

In 2023, there were over 4,200 jobs in Idaho related to fishing, game hunting and supporting occupations. Cumulatively, the occupations have grown at a 6.6% rate since 2012, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

“Based on the department’s occupational projections for 2022 through 2032, job growth for these occupations is projected to expand by 22.1% as one of the fastest growing occupations in Idaho,” Labor Economist Ryan Whitesides said.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, June 2024

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

Region

  • Family Promise of North Idaho was awarded a $15,000 grant from Clayton and Family Promise National to help families facing homelessness stay in their homes and work toward stability. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Innovia Foundation awarded $330,000 to 34 northern Idaho organizations to assist with local opportunities for education and youth development, health, well-being and arts and culture. Benewah County received three awards, Bonner received 12, Boundary received three, Kootenai received 12 and Shoshone received four. Source: Innovia Foundation

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Idaho’s agricultural evolution: Insights from the U.S. Census

*The charts in this article, except for the H2A chart, are sourced by the U.S. Census of Agriculture*

Idaho’s agricultural roots run deep, with certain regions of the state maintaining this traditional economic base within the broader sector of agri-business.

According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture’s 2022 data, Idaho lost 2,119 farms and 144,000 acres of farmland between 2017 and 2022. While this sounds alarming, it’s important to understand Idaho’s industries usually follow national trends.

For example, it is important to note Idaho’s neighbors and the nation all followed the same downward trend of reductions in farms with a higher number of contiguous states losing ground by a greater ratio, as shown in Figure 1. The argument can be made that production is not dropping, rather agriculture is following the route of manufacturing and producing more with less.

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Alternative measures of underemployment in Idaho

Idaho’s labor underutilization rates show a clear difference in job opportunities between urban and rural areas. Labor underutilization rates are developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and provide an overview of how effectively a workforce is employed, identifying where potential labor resources are underutilized. Business leaders and government officials sometimes use this information to identify specific groups of underutilized workers and develop strategies to reduce workforce inefficiencies in other areas.

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Idaho’s May unemployment rate remains at 3.3%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2024
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

– State first in nation for over-the-month nonfarm job growth at 0.9% –

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3% in May, unchanged since September 2023.

The state’s labor force increased by 1,679 people (0.2%) to 975,713 while the labor force participation rate — the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work — remained at 62.7% between April and May.

Total employment increased by 1,363 (0.1%) to 943,123 as unemployment increased by 316 (1%) to 32,590.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 7,600 (0.9%) to 871,000 in May — the largest percentage change among all states. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month increases included arts, entertainment, and recreation (10.4%); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (3%); private educational services (2.9%); state government (1.5%); wholesale trade (1.4%); professional and business services (1.2%); durable goods manufacturing (0.9%); health care and social services (0.9%); real estate rental and leasing (0.9%); and construction (0.7%). Continue reading →