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.

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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 →

ICONIC program offers construction training in three areas of Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 5, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

ICONIC program offers construction training in three areas of Idaho

A popular program that creates career opportunities for Idaho residents to pursue heavy equipment operation will offer trainings in three areas of the state including Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Boise this year.

The Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program is a path to a rewarding career in highway construction. The intensive course involves a mix of classroom and hands-on learning at no cost to the participants.  Students receive certifications in Heavy Equipment Operation, Flagging, Forklift, First Aid/CPR/AED and OSHA-10. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, December 2025

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

  • Unfavorable weather has so far prevented area ski resorts from full and consistent operations. Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain, in Shoshone County, both had delayed openings and have since experienced intermittent closures due to inconsistent weather. Schweitzer, in Bonner County, currently has one lift operating. Idaho ranked No. 10 nationally for total annual skier visits. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital is expanding services with the opening of a new 17-bed rehabilitation unit at their Post Falls campus. This will raise the capacity at the Post Falls campus, which is shared with Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest, to a total of 47 intensive medical rehabilitation beds. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

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Idaho’s e-commerce industry continues to grow

One of the most visible trends in the American economy — especially during the holiday season — has been the long and steady rise of online retail sales, or e-commerce. Currently, in 2025, e-commerce accounts for more than 16% of all retail sales in the U.S., and trends suggest it will continue to gain ground in future years.

E-commerce has been growing as an industry since the turn of the century. In 2000, e-commerce retail sales made up less than 1% of total retail activity in the U.S. Since then, this share has continued to increase steadily, with a rapid acceleration occurring in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as can be seen below in Figure 1. Continue reading →

Idaho’s September unemployment rate remains at 3.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 11, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

September’s labor force increased by 687 (0.1%) people to 1,010,111 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.1 percentage point between August and September, down to 63%.

Total employment increased by 441 to 972,828 and unemployment increased by 246 (0.7%) to 37,283. Continue reading →

Meet recruiters during holiday season at hiring event, Dec. 17

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 10, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

Stop by the department’s office at 600 N. Thornton St.

Employers attending include Cornerstone Caregiving, the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Integrated Interventions LLC, Ironwood Rehabilitation and Care Center, North Idaho College, SAGE Truck Driving Schools and more.

Explore career options to become a coach, mentor, records specialist, certified nursing assistant, heating ventilation and air conditioning lead instructor or other role.

Continue reading →