Tracking Idaho's Unemployment Rate

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Do you remember Idaho’s unemployment rate just as the recession was being noticed? It was three percent.

The National Bureau of Economic Research said the great recession started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009.

Since those declarations, Idaho’s unemployment rate climbed to its peak of 8.8 percent in August 2010. By August 2011 it had dropped to 8.4 percent, and by August 2012 it was down to 7 percent.

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March 6, 2013

For Young People, College Degrees Cut Unemployment

StateImpact has reported on Idaho’s high rate of youth unemployment. We’ve also pointed out that unemployment rates vary according to workers’ educational backgrounds. So a post from Catherine Rampell at The New York Times‘ Economix blog that compares the unemployment rates of high-school-educated twenty-somethings to their college-educated peers caught our eye. Rampell writes: [T]he unemployment […]

March 1, 2013

Revised Data Show Idaho Didn’t Create Many Jobs In 2012

Data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Idaho’s 2012 jobless rate was lower than expected. The average annual rate was revised down three-tenths of a percent to 7.1. That’s a significant decline from 2011’s average rate of 8.3 percent. The revised data show the number of jobless Idahoans dropped below 50,000 […]

February 11, 2013

Job Cuts Continue At The Idaho National Lab

Job-cutting at the Idaho National Laboratory continues. The Post Register reports more than 100 INL employees voluntarily left their jobs last week as the lab’s contractor deals with “budget constraints”. The contractor [Battelle Energy Alliance] in charge of INL announced in December it would lay off at least 300 employees, citing budget concerns, increased daily […]

January 18, 2013

Idaho’s Jobless Rate Reaches Four Year Low

The Idaho Labor Department today released December jobless figures, showing the lowest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in nearly four years. December’s rate dipped to 6.6 percent, down from 6.8 percent in November. Unlike previous monthly jobless reports, this one signals stronger hiring. “The labor force expanded, albeit just fractionally, for the first time since last […]

January 3, 2013

“Fiscal Cliff” Deal Means Extended Jobless Benefits For Long-Term Unemployed Idahoans

The more than 6,000 Idahoans who lost jobless benefits last week, will see those federal payments continue, thanks to Congressional action. As part of the Congressional “fiscal cliff” deal, unemployment insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed will be extended through the end of the year at a cost of $30 billion. The Idaho Department of […]

December 21, 2012

Idaho National Lab Cuts More Jobs, Could Eliminate 450

The Post Register reports Battelle Energy Alliance plans to cut at least 300 jobs at the Idaho National Laboratory. Battelle, the contract company in charge of INL, could cut up to 450 jobs. Budget constraints, increased daily costs and a need to remain competitive have prompted Battelle, the contractor in charge of INL, to reduce […]

Idaho’s Jobless Rate Drops Two-Tenths Of A Percent As The Labor Force Shrinks

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 7 percent to 6.8 percent in November. That’s the lowest Idaho’s jobless rate has been in three and a half years. The Idaho Department of Labor says most Idaho counties, 36 of 44, posted jobless rate declines from October to November. Total employment was up last month, with […]

December 10, 2012

“Jobless In Idaho” Comes Full Circle: After A Long Search, A Single Mom Finds Work

At this time last year, StateImpact Idaho began a series called “Jobless in Idaho.” Through those interviews we met Kelly Barker, a single mom from Meridian who was struggling to find work after losing her job as an office administrator in early 2011. The first time we met, at her comfortable, suburban home, Barker described […]

December 3, 2012

More Than 20 Percent Of Idaho Young People Are Out Of School And Out Of Work

An Annie E. Casey Foundation report on youth unemployment released today shows that Idahoans aged 16 to 24 have a slightly higher employment rate than the national average. But that seemingly good news masks significant problems for Idaho young people, with respect to employment. The report highlights several things: that it’s become harder for young […]

November 26, 2012

Aberdeen, Idaho Anxious About Simplot Closure And Personal Property Tax Repeal

Tomorrow, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and a half-dozen state officials will visit a small eastern Idaho town of fewer than 2,000 people. That town – Aberdeen – will be Idaho’s Capital for a Day. Mayor Morgan Anderson says he hopes to use some of the time to explain to state leaders why he’s concerned for […]