Idaho’s Unemployment Rate Drops

-Idaho’s unemployment rate dropped for the fifth straight month to 8.4%. The Idaho Department of Labor reports job growth during the last half of 2011 was stronger than estimated, culminating with a 1% year over year increase in jobs in December. According to the department, this is the fourth month in a row that Idaho’s unemployment rate has been below the national rate, which also fell a tenth of a point in December to 8.5%.

The agency reports December was the fifth straight month the state’s unemployment rate fell, hitting its lowest level since September 2009. The statewide labor force rose by 1,600 workers, marking the third month that the number of people with jobs or looking for them has increased. According to the report, employers hired just over 11,000 new employees, the majority to replace workers who retired or left their jobs for other reasons.

According to this month’s report, Idaho unemployment hit a record 9.7% in December 2010 and stayed there through March before beginning to fall.

The Washington D.C. Based “Conference Board” think-tank estimates there were more than three unemployed workers in Idaho for every job posted in December.

County, city and labor market unemployment was delayed because of this week’s winter storm.