Flathead jobless rate up slightly in October

The unemployment rate for Flathead County increased slightly in October, posting at 3.9% compared to 3.6% in September, according to the Montana Department of Labor.

Flathead County has a current workforce of 46,390 people, and has 984 more people employed than this time last year.

Other Northwest Montana counties also saw upticks in their jobless rates. Lake County posted 3.9% in October, up from 3.6% in September. Lincoln County increased from 5.8% to 5.9%, and Sanders County saw slight decrease, from 4.5% in September to 4.4% in October.

Montana’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 3.4% in October, driven by over 850 new workers entering the labor market.

The U.S. unemployment rate also moved up 0.1 percentage points, ending at 3.6%.

Total state employment, which includes agricultural, payroll and self-employed workers, indicated a gain of 676 jobs. The labor force grew by 851, the largest monthly gain in the labor force since 2015. The number of unemployed people increased by 175 people. Payroll employment increased by 600 jobs over the month.