Idaho’s September unemployment rate drops to 2.8 percent

Idaho’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.8 percent in September, reflecting ongoing hiring by employers, officials said.

The seasonally adjusted rate was the lowest since January 1976, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

In August, the state’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent; in September 2016, it was 3.8 percent.

Idaho added 4,154 jobs last month, driving the number of employed residents to 800,629.

Education and health services added 1,400 positions, while construction jobs decreased by 1,300, department, officials said. Jobs tied to natural resource industries met seasonal expectations with no net gain or loss.

In North Idaho, unemployment rates by county were: Kootenai, 3.5 percent; Bonner, 3.7 percent: Boundary, 3.8 percent; Shoshone, 5.5 percent; and Benewah, 4.6 percent.