Flathead County jobless rate improves

Flathead County’s unemployment rate improved slightly in September, posting at 4.5 percent compared to 4.7 percent in August.

The county had a workforce of 42,966 people in September, compared to 44,924 the previous month, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Neighboring counties also reported improved jobless rates. Lincoln County, which is tied with Glacier County for the highest unemployment in the state, posted a 7 percent rate, compared to 7.9 percent in August. Sanders County reported 6.4 percent unemployment in September, compared to 7 percent the previous month.

Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent in September. The national unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points up to 5 percent.

“Montana’s unemployment rate continues to be in the ideal range, and the state is seeing a growing workforce,” said Montana Labor & Industry Commissioner Pam Bucy. “Unemployment in the ideal range provides an even balance between workers having good job opportunities with increasing wages and businesses able to find the workers they need to produce their products.”

Payroll employment estimates indicate over-the-month job growth of 2,400 jobs, with increases across nearly all sectors and strong gains in the leisure activities industry. Total employment estimates, which include the self-employed and agricultural employment in addition to payroll employment, indicated a smaller over-the-month gain of roughly 100 jobs.