Tag Archives: Labor market information

Report sheds light on past 20 years of economic growth in rural Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 21, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Rural Idaho plays a crucial role in the state’s economy and its future. Natural resources, manufacturing and renewable energy production continue to remain central to rural livelihoods, according to a report released this week from the Idaho Department of Labor.

The Profile of Rural Idaho provides an updated look at the state’s rural identity in 2025 and its evolution over the past 20 years since the previous profile was released in 2005. The report is divided into three parts analyzing demographic trends, the economic backbone of rural Idaho and the critical trends shaping the state’s future. Continue reading →

Webinar spotlights two decades of economic change in rural Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 12, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a webinar focusing on the past 20 years of growth in rural Idaho, Tuesday, Nov. 18.

“Idaho’s population has grown three times as fast as the U.S. This webinar will bring together rural voices and community leaders to speak in detail about their experiences as rural residents,” Labor Market Research Manager Craig Shaul said.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT.

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, October 2025

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

  • Home sales and prices increased year over year in the Inland Northwest, including in Kootenai County. Year to date single family sales in Kootenai County were 1,892 at the end of September (a 4% increase over 2024) while median prices climbed to $547,250 for a 3% year over year increase. Source: Journal of Business

Kootenai County

  • A new affordable housing development is opening in Post Falls. ’The Arc’ features 38 single family homes priced at $375,000, with resale limitations designed to ensure long-term affordability. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →

The rising cost of living in Idaho limits labor force availability

Idaho’s economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, yet the benefits of growth have not been evenly distributed. While Idaho’s poverty rate is the 15th lowest in the nation at 10.6% ¹ and unemployment remains low, many Idahoans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living.

Median home prices in Idaho have more than doubled since 2016, and rents have risen at one of the fastest rates in the nation.² Combined with higher costs for essentials such as food, child care and transportation, even full-time workers often find themselves increasingly burdened by the rising cost of living.

Poverty and rising costs of living have significant impacts on the labor force, from high mortgage rates constraining labor mobility to the rising cost of raising a family depressing the birthrate.

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, September 2025

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

  • Northern Idaho is currently in a drought at the highest ratings of severity, according to hydrologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Several years of below-normal snowpack, low rainfall totals and above-normal temperatures have created “extreme to exceptional” drought in the region. Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed more than 50% of measured stream flow sites in the region are below normal. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Kootenai County

  • Local governments in Kootenai County are completing their budgetary approval processes for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a $151.9 million budget with an allowable 3% property tax increase, and Post Falls approved a $165 million budget with a 3% property tax increase. County commissioners approved a $144 million budget for Kootenai County, with a 2.5% tax increase. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Major changes are coming to the retail development on US 95 at Neider Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. Construction is underway on a Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant, with confirmed plans for additional businesses in the shopping center, including a Mexican restaurant called Cultura CDA and national chains like Jersey Mike’s Subs, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Sleep Number. The shopping center currently houses At Home, Tractor Supply and Safeway. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Continue reading →

Learn how Idaho’s cost of living and affordability impact the labor force

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2025
Media Contact: Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Seth Harrington will share how Idaho’s cost of living is impacting the labor force at a webinar, Tuesday, Sept. 30.

According to United for Alice, four in 10 Idaho households can’t afford the basics of housing, food, child care and health care – even though many earn above the poverty line.

“While Idaho’s poverty rate is the 15th lowest in the nation and unemployment remains low, many Idahoans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living,” Harrington said. “Poverty and the rising costs of living have had significant impacts on the labor force, from reduced labor mobility to growing the urban and rural divide.”

Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate remains at 3.7% in August

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

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

August’s labor force decreased by 627 (0.1%) people to 1,009,419 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 July and August, down to 63.1%.

Total employment decreased by 778 (-0.1%) to 972,377 and unemployment increased by 151 (0.4%) to 37,042. Continue reading →

Idaho’s marginal labor force wants to work but sees potential barriers

Idaho’s marginal labor force — individuals who want to work but are not working currently and haven’t been looking for work recently — is relatively small in scale. However, this group of potential workers could be an important resource for employers needing to fill open positions.

The U.S.’s marginal labor force is estimated to be around 1-2% of the non-labor force but is comprised of those who are the most likely to accept employment if an opportunity arose.1 If Idaho’s patterns are similar, this would mean there is a marginally attached population of roughly 5,000-10,000 non-working people ready and willing to take on employment in addition to the approximately 37,000 unemployed people statewide who are actively seeking a job. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, August 2025

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

Bonner County

  • The ongoing Sunset Fire northeast of Athol has burned more than 3,200 acres. Due to the fire, the U.S. Forest Service announced a closure order for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Source: KHQ News

Kootenai County

  • The North Idaho State Fair opened Aug. 15 for its annual 10-day run at the Kootenai County fairgrounds. The 2025 theme was “Keeping Tradition Alive,” and the fair featured hundreds of attractions and vendors. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Coeur d’Alene City Council has proposed a $152.6 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year which includes a 3% property tax increase, which will generate $835,702 in additional revenue. The city council held public hearings concerning the proposed budget in August. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Home prices edged further upward in Kootenai County according to the latest market snapshot from Coeur d’Alene Regional Realtors. The median home price increased to $545,000, which was a 3.3% increase year over year. Active listings and single-family home sales in Kootenai County have both increased slightly year over year, while average days on market has declined slightly. Source: Journal of Business

Continue reading →

Idaho’s unemployment rate increases to 3.7% in July

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2025
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased between June and July, from 3.6% to 3.7%.

July’s labor force decreased by 451 people to 1,010,133 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.2 percentage points between June and July, down to 63.2%.

Total employment decreased by 643 (-0.1%) to 973,241 and unemployment increased by 192 (0.5%) to 36,892. Continue reading →