(Boise, ID) Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8% in December, up from 3.7% in November.
The state’s labor force increased by 4,108 people (0.4%) to 1,000,658 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 63.4% to 63.6% between November and December.
This is the first time Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force has had over one million participants in the state’s history.
Total employment increased by 3,503 (0.4%) to 962,943 as unemployment increased by 605 (1.6%) to 37,715.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 3,000 (0.3%) to 886,600. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month increases included accommodation and food services (1.7%); private educational services (1.1%); state government (1.1%); other services (0.7%); arts, entertainment, and recreation (0.6%); nondurable goods manufacturing (0.6%); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (0.6%).
Industries that experienced job losses in December included information (-1.1%), durable goods manufacturing (-0.4%), finance and insurance (-0.3%), and local government (-0.1%).
Five of Idaho’s six Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month nonfarm job increases in December. Twin Falls experienced the largest increase at 0.6%, followed by Idaho Falls (0.4%), Boise (0.3%), Coeur d’Alene (0.3%) and Lewiston (0.3%). Pocatello saw no change.
Year over Year
Idaho’s 3.8% unemployment rate for December 2024 was up from 3.3% the prior year. The labor force was up 3.4%, an increase of 33,342 people.
The number of unemployed Idahoans increased 17.5% (5,625) while the total number of employed increased 3% (27,717).
Total nonfarm jobs increased by 3.6% (31,100), which was the highest percentage increase among all states. Most major industry sectors gained jobs except information (-8.5%); natural resources (-4.7%); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-1.8%).
All of Idaho’s MSAs saw year-over-year nonfarm job gains in December. Boise had the greatest increase at 4.6%, followed by Idaho Falls (3.7%), Pocatello (3.5%), Twin Falls (2.4%), Lewiston (2.3%) and Coeur d’Alene (0.9%).
National Comparisons
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between November and December, down from 4.2% to 4.1%. The number of unemployed decreased by 235,000 to 6.9 million. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 256,000 to 159.5 million.
