Idaho’s economy lost 12,000 jobs in December, driving the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate up nine-tenths of a point from November to 6.6 percent.
The national rate rose four-tenths of a point to 7.2 percent.
More than 50,000 Idaho workers were without jobs, more than double a year earlier, as the unemployment rate hit its highest level in over 20 years. The recession was felt throughout the state, hitting every sector of Idaho’s economy including government.
The state paid out a record $33 million in regular and extended jobless benefits during December and an unprecedented $22 million during the first two weeks of January.
Total employment fell another 7,200 to just over 710,000, the fewest people at work in Idaho since January 2006.
Sectors with typically higher paying jobs continued to be hit hard. Over 3,800 more construction jobs were lost in December, while another 1,300 manufacturing jobs disappeared — primarily in high technology and wood products. Wholesale and retail trade both shed jobs in December, as did financial services, business services and restaurants.
Clearwater County unemployment was 16.3 percent; Idaho County, 11.8 percent; Nez Perce County, 5.1 percent; and Lewis County, 3.9 percent.
Lewiston reported 5.1 percent unemployment.
