Tag Archives: Employment

State requests public comments for modification of 2024-2027 state workforce plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 10, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor and the Workforce Development Council are requesting public comment on the proposed modification of Idaho’s 2024-2027 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Combined State Plan.

Idaho’s workforce development system is comprised of a network of state, regional, local agencies and organizations that provide a range of services. This includes employment, education, training and overall support to help all job-seekers secure good jobs while providing businesses with the skilled workers they need to compete in a global economy. 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

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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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, November 2025

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

  • The regional housing market remains strong, according to the Coeur d’Alene Regional Realtors. Median prices on single family homes increased 4.1% year over year in October, while year to date home sales increased 3.6% in Kootenai County. Median prices and sales also increased in Shoshone County by 3.9% and 6.4% respectively. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →

Despite an aging population, Idaho’s labor force is getting younger

Idaho was one of the fastest growing states over the past decade, cresting 2 million residents in 2024. While the state’s average age increased from 35.9 in 2014 to 37.8 in 2024, this was still relatively younger than the national average of 39.1.1

From 2014-2024, the population of Idahoans age 16+ increased by 27.5% — more than triple the national rate of 8.3%. Similarly, the state’s labor force increased by 30.5%, as compared with the 7.8% increase nationwide.2

The changing demographics of Idaho’s general population have impacted its labor force and labor force-eligible population (defined as those over the age of 16 who are not a full-time student, member of the military or incarcerated). The effects of in-migration, the displacement of older workers and an increased participation among women and youth can be seen in the age and gender breakdown of the data.

Continue reading →