Local jobless rate up to 6.6 percent

Flathead County’s unemployment rate increased slightly between August and October but continues to hover in the pre-recession range.

The latest report from the Montana Department of Labor showed Flathead’s unemployment rate at 6.6 percent in October, up from 6 percent in August. The federal government shutdown prevented the release of labor statistics for September.

By comparison, the local jobless rate was 6.2 percent in October 2008.

There were 2,774 unemployed workers in Flathead County in October, with 39,546 employed out of a work force of 42,320 people.

Employment in neighboring counties remained fairly steady in October. Lake County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.8 to 6.9 percent. Sanders County posted 10.1 percent in October, down from 10.2 percent in August. Lincoln County’s jobless rate went from 12.1 to 12.4 percent.

The statewide unemployment rate dropped to 5.2 percent.

The national unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in October.