Idaho unemployment rate holds steady

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.9 percent in February. It is the third consecutive month Idaho’s employment rate held steady.

The Idaho Department of Labor said nonfarm payrolls grew by .2 percent in February.

Compared to last year, total jobs grew by 4 percent, the largest increase since 2006. Leisure and hospitality sectors showed the greatest gains.

Eighteen of Idaho’s 44 counties had unemployment rates at or below the state rate. Clark and Madison counties experienced the lowest rates in the state with 2.6 percent and 2.7 percent respectively. Lewis County had the highest rate at 8.0 percent.

Among the Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the Idaho Falls MSA reported the lowest unemployment rate of 3.4 percent.