Idaho unemployment holds steady in October

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 2.7 percent in October

According to the Idaho Department of Labor, the total number of people 16 years of age and older working or looking for work was essentially unchanged since July at 853,444. At the same time, Idaho’s labor force participation decreased slightly to 63.5 percent.

Annually, unemployment insurance benefit payments were down 11.4 percent from a weekly average of $999,000 a year ago to $886,000 for October 2018. The number of claimants was down by 13 percent to 2,800 from a weekly average of 3,200 a year ago.

Regionally, Idaho Falls jobs were up 1.5 percent (1,000 jobs) and Pocatello’s non-farm payrolls were up 1.6 percent (600 jobs).

Madison County’s unemployment rate was the lowest in the state at 1.8 percent.

October’s national unemployment rate was 3.7 percent.