Idaho unemployment rate holds steady in November

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent in November. It has held at the same rate since July.

The Idaho Department of Labor says an additional 1,200 people joined the state’s labor force. That pushed the number of unemployed Idahoans down by 300 people to 30,600.

The department said job growth was strongest in natural resources, manufacturing, trade and transportation, information, financial activities, professional, government, and business services. Growth in those areas offset declines in construction, education and health, and leisure and hospitality.

23 of the state’s 44 counties had unemployment rates above the statewide average. Madison County had the state’s lowest rate at 2.4 percent.

The Idaho Falls metropolitan statistical area reported the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.2 percent.