Local jobless rate down to 10.2 percent

Flathead County’s unemployment rate dropped in August to 10.2 percent, the second straight monthly decline.

That’s the lowest unemployment rate here since November 2009’s 10.1 percent.

In July, Flathead County’s unemployment rate was 10.8 percent, a drop from 11.4 percent in June. In August 2009, Flathead County’s unemployment rate stood at 8.7 percent.

The 10.2 percent rate translates to 4,674 unemployed people in the county’s work force of 45,926 people, according to a report issued Tuesday by the state Department of Labor and Industry’s Research and Analysis Bureau.

Lake County’s August unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, up from 9.3 percent a month earlier. Lincoln County’s 14.3 percent August rate was down from 14.8 percent in July. Lincoln County had the unwelcome distinction of the highest rate of unemployment in the state.

Other counties with double-digit rates in August were Sanders at 13.9 percent, Big Horn at 11.5 percent and Glacier at 10.5 percent.

Several Montana counties reflected low unemployment rates in August. Fallon had the lowest rate at 2.7 percent. McCone County was second lowest in the state at 2.9 percent. Garfield, Wibaux and Sheridan counties all had a rate of 3.6 percent. Richland County was 3.7 percent as was Sweet Grass. Carter County stood at 3.8 percent and Powder River’s rate was 3.9 percent.

County rates are not seasonally adjusted.

The unadjusted statewide unemployment rate held steady from July at 6.8 percent, reflecting 34,263 Montanans who are out of work.

The seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 7.4 percent, up slightly from July’s 7.3 percent. The national unemployment rate in August was 9.6 percent, also up .1 percent from July. The national number also is seasonally adjusted.

 “Montana’s unemployment rate mirrored the national economy by increasing slightly in August,” state Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly said in a press release. “Although both the U.S. and Montana economies are in recovery, job growth remains slow.”