Tag Archives: Idaho

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Idaho Department of Labor Rexburg mobile location moves

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 1, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor’s Rexburg mobile location has moved to 314 N. 3rd E.

The location has extended hours of operation and is open to customers Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The location is shared with Eastern Idaho Public Health Madison County Office WIC.

Customers will get the same 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.

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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

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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.

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Idaho grows its waste management workforce

Employment needs within Idaho’s waste management industry remain reliably consistent over time, reflecting the essential nature of the services it provides. Trash doesn’t take a day off and continues to be generated even during the coldest months of winter, the worst economic recessions and amid unpredictable 100-year pandemics. While trash volume will be dictated in part by consumer behavior, it is more closely associated with population growth.

Between 2014-2024, Idaho added 370,000 new residents and led the nation with a population growth rate of 23%. This was more than three times the U.S. growth rate of 7%.¹ During the same period, as shown in Figure 1, privatized waste management employment in Idaho added more than 2,000 jobs and increased by 98% (compared with 23% growth for the U.S. waste management sector). Like population, Idaho’s private waste management employment experienced the highest growth rate of any U.S. state.²

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