Flathead County’s unemployment rate dropped nearly two percentage points last month, signaling steady and consistent economic improvements as the tourism season approaches.
The non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased from 8.3 percent in March to 6.6 percent in April, according to the latest job figures from the state’s Department of Labor. It is the lowest since last October. The local labor force grew to 43,993 workers.
Lake County’s rate dropped 2 percentage points to 6.4 percent. Lincoln County, which has consistently seen one of the highest rates in the state, saw its figures improve by nearly 3 percentage points. The jobless rate sunk from 16.1 percent in March to 13.4 percent last month. Glacier County dropped from 11.6 percent to 9.8 percent.
Montana’s unemployment rate dipped below 5 percent for the first time in five years. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent in April after the state’s overall economy added 1,403 jobs.
“I am pleased that Montana’s unemployment rate is back down to pre-recession levels,” Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy stated. “With the economy strengthening, and increased hiring, the Department of Labor and Industry will continue our work to quickly train workers to meet the needs of Montana employers.”
Total employment, which includes payroll employment plus agricultural and self-employed workers, added 1,403 jobs in April to bring the total job growth this year to 9,881 jobs. The labor force shrunk by 259 workers after three months of adding workers to the labor force, though.
The number of unemployed workers decreased by 1,662 people over the last month. Payroll employment estimates signals small job loss of 400 jobs, with losses in the leisure and hospitality industry, according to the state.
Labor officials pointed out that differences between payroll and total job growth estimates are not unusual on a month-to-month basis; both data series are tracking positive job growth over the past year.
“Montana has added nearly 10,000 jobs since the start of the year; a sign that Main Street businesses are feeling confident and workers are back on the job,” Gov. Steve Bullock stated. “We’ll continue to work to ensure that businesses have the tools and support to succeed, and workers have the training to fill the jobs that are being created.”
The U.S. unemployment rate also posted a decline of 0.4 percent, hitting 6.3 percent.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in April. A 0.3 percent increase is larger than usual compared to the low inflation rates of recent years, but still within moderate levels, according to labor officials. The price increase was primarily due to an increase in the price of gasoline, which increased 2.3 percent over the month. Core inflation, measured by the all items less food and energy index, rose by 0.2 percent.