Idaho unemployment rate drops again

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell again in October to an even 7 percent. That is the lowest jobless rate in three-and-a-half years.

The rate was 7.1 percent in September, But, the Idaho Department of Labor said total employment was essentially unchanged from September at fewer than 721,000 jobs.

The agency said the lower unemployment rate was the result of another 1,100 workers leaving the state labor force.

Over seven thousand workers have left the labor force since May.

Good weather kept seasonal construction layoffs to a minimum and Idaho’s food manufacturers boosted employment by more than three percent from September.

The Idaho Falls Micropolitan Statistics Area saw unemployment rates drop by 1.5 percent from the same time a year ago; Pocatello by 1.4 percent; and Rexburg by 1.1 percent.

County unemployment rates in each market area were below the statewide average, but total civilian labor force also dropped substantially in each county.