Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8% in December, up slightly from 3.7% in November.
The state’s labor force increased by 4,108 people to 1,000,658 while the labor force participation rate — the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work — increased from 63.4% to 63.6% between November and December.
It’s the first time Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force has had over one million participants in the state’s history.
Total employment increased by 3,503 to 962,943 as unemployment increased by 605 to 37,715.
Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 3,000 to 886,600. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month increases included accommodation and food services; private educational services; state government; arts, entertainment, and recreation; nondurable goods manufacturing; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities.
Industries that experienced job losses in December included information, durable goods manufacturing, finance and insurance, and local government.
Idaho’s 3.8% unemployment rate for December 2024 was up from 3.3% the prior year. The labor force was up 3.4%, an increase of 33,342 people.
Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased between November and December, down from 4.2% to 4.1%.
