Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 8.9 percent in October.
The number of Idaho workers without jobs rose to a record 67,300 as employers held October hiring to the lowest level since record-keeping began in 1998 and 22 percent below 2008’s previous low for October. Except for health care, every major sector of the Idaho economy including government had fewer jobs than October 2008.
Although Idaho’s jobless rate remained at a 26-year high, October was the fourth straight month of relative stability. The rate fluctuated between 8.8 percent and 8.9 percent while the national rate steadily climbed from 9.4 percent in July to 10.2 percent in October.
Nez Perce County reported 6.1 percent unemployment; Clearwater County, 16.8 percent; Idaho County, 12.3 percent; and Lewis County, 5.8 percent. O
Of Idaho’s nine largest cities, Lewiston had the lowest unemployment rate at 6.5 percent.
Over $43 million in state and federal unemployment benefits was paid to a weekly average of 37,300 jobless workers during October. Since the year began, Idaho has paid out a record of over $547 million in state and federal jobless benefits.
