NewsMontana News

Actions

Montana’s unemployment rate ticks up to 3.8%

Posted at 12:50 PM, Mar 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-11 14:50:20-04

HELENA – Montana’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.8% for the month of January, up 0.1% points from December.

The national unemployment rate also increased by a tenth of a percentage point up to 4.0%.

“It’s clear that the federal government shutdown negatively impacted our economic growth and the federal workers who had to go without their paychecks,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “

Total employment, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, indicated a small increase of 229 jobs in January.

Payroll employment indicates a small decline in employment, with declines in federal government and professional and business services.

State officials note that the low changes in employment levels likely reflect decreased economic activity during the January federal government shutdown.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in January, with a decline in the energy index offsetting increases in other items. Gasoline prices decreased by 5.5% over the month.

The lowest unemployment rate was reported at 2.3% in McCone County while the highest jobless rate stood at 11.1% in Lincoln County.

Western Montana unemployment rates:

  • Missoula County: 4.8%
  • Lake County: 6.0%
  • Flathead Indian Reservation: 6.4%
  • Ravalli County 6.4%
  • Flathead County: 6.7%
  • Granite County: 8.6%
  • Mineral County: 9.6%
  • Sanders County: 9.7%
  • Lincoln County: 11.1%