Idaho Unemployment Drops to 3.6% in December

Idaho's job market just got a little brighter. After months of staying flat or rising slightly, the state's unemployment rate dropped from 3.7% to 3.6% in December, marking the first decline in several months.

The numbers tell a story of momentum. Nearly 1,630 more people joined Idaho's workforce in December, bringing the total to over 1 million workers. Even better, total employment increased by 1,755 people while the number of unemployed Idahoans decreased by 127.

The state's economy added 300 new nonfarm jobs in December, reaching a total of 882,900 positions. Professional, scientific and technical services led the way with the biggest growth at 1.4%. These are often well-paying jobs that help families build stable futures.

Both Boise and Lewiston saw job growth during the month. Lewiston's nonfarm employment grew by 0.3%, while Boise, Idaho's largest metro area, added 0.2% more jobs. These gains show that Idaho's economic strength isn't limited to just one region.

Not every sector saw gains. Arts, entertainment and recreation took the biggest hit with a 2.5% decrease, likely reflecting typical seasonal adjustments after the busy holiday period. Durable goods manufacturing saw a small 0.2% dip.

The Bright Side

What makes this news especially encouraging is that it happened during December, traditionally a tricky month for employment data. Despite seasonal challenges, Idaho managed to add workers and reduce unemployment at the same time. That's a sign of genuine economic health, not just statistical noise.

The labor force participation rate held steady at 62.9%, meaning Idahoans remain confident enough in the job market to keep looking for work. When people stop searching for jobs, unemployment numbers can drop for the wrong reasons. That's not what's happening here.

More people working means more families with steady paychecks and more communities thriving.