Idaho unemployment drops to 3.9 percent

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November fell to 3.9 percent, the first time it has been below 4 percent since early 2008.

The Idaho Department of Labor said above average employer payrolls and a declining labor force drove the change.

Employment continued rising at a record level to nearly 743,000.

According to the department, employers in most sectors maintained payrolls at levels above the five-year average. Exceptions included nondurable manufacturing, retail sales, health care and hotels and motels. Federal and state governments posted larger than normal declines in jobs while public education added jobs at a slightly higher rate than normal.

While total employment was at a record level and unemployment was just over 30,000 – less than half the recession peak – another 1,500 workers left the labor force, which dropped below 773,000 for the first time since October 2012.