Idaho hits record-low unemployment in December

Idaho finished 2014 with an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in December, which represents a seven-year low, according to preliminary state forecasts. A record 743,000 Idaho residents were employed last month, according to the forecast released today by the state Department of Labor. But the numbers also indicated that employment growth has slowed since spring. Idaho’s total workforce also dropped slightly, reflecting an exodus from the labor force as baby boomers continue to retire. The state’s unemployment rate averaged 4.6 percent for 2014, according to the preliminary forecast. A revised rate will be released in March. Unemployment rates also dropped in North Idaho counties during December. The rates, by county, were: Kootenai, 4.3 percent; Bonner, 5.5 percent; Boundary, 5.7 percent; Benewah, 7 percent; and Shoshone, 6.8 percent. Average unemployment rates for 2014 were: Kootenai, 5.3 percent; Bonner, 6.6 percent; Boundary, 6.4 percent; Benewah, 8.1 percent; and Shoshone, 8.7 percent.