Jobless rate remains steady in Flathead County

Flathead County’s unemployment rate improved in July, posting at 3.9 percent compared to 4.5 percent in June.

The county has a work force of 46,840 people and has 411 more jobs than at the same point last year, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

The unemployment rates in other Northwest Montana counties also improved during July, with Lake County at 3.8 percent, Sanders County at 5.3 percent and Lincoln County at 6.8 percent.

Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent in July. The U.S. unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent after a slight uptick in June.

“Montana is experiencing steady economic growth, benefiting businesses and workers alike,” Gov. Steve Bullock said in a press release. “More Montanans are at work than ever before in our state’s history, wages are increasing and manufacturing is growing at twice the national average. We’re growing some of the best wheat in the world, producing cutting-edge optics technologies, making the best waders, fly-rods and drift boats money can buy.”

Total employment increased by roughly 5,200 jobs in July on an unadjusted basis. However, that level of hiring is expected during July, leaving the seasonally adjusted total employment level roughly even from last month. Total employment includes the self-employed, agricultural workers and payroll employment.

Payroll employment estimates indicate a loss of 700 jobs over the month, but an increase of 5,200 jobs since July 2016. The payroll job losses were primarily in the health-care industry, where employment growth may have been affected by policy uncertainty at the federal level.