Idaho unemployment rate holds steady in April

For the fourth month, Idaho ranked in the top two of the nation in over-the-year job growth.

Idaho finished April with a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.9 percent. The state’s labor force, which is the total number of people 16 years of age and older who are working or looking for work, gained 1,242 people from March to April.

The state continued to see strong job growth. Total non-farm jobs grew by 3.3 percent, the second fastest rate of growth in the nation.

The areas of biggest job growth came in the areas of natural resources, education, and health services.

Job growth was greatest in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Lewiston. Pocatello’s unemployment rate held steady, but Idaho Falls experienced a loss of 100 jobs during the month.

Pocatello had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.7 percent, Idaho Falls was pegged at 2.5 percent, and Rexburg posted the lowest official unemployment rate of 1.9 percent.