Jobless Rate Steady

Unemployment rates for Idaho’s five northern counties remained largely unchanged in December.

The Panhandle had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.1 percent - down 0.1 from November, according to state estimates.

Boundary County had the biggest fluctuation in rates. December unemployment was 9.2 percent, up 1.2 percent from November.

The increase is more of a reporting issue than a sudden job loss, said Kathryn Tacke, state labor analyst.

Seasonal layoffs in construction, wood products and agriculture occurred later than usual this year, due to milder weather, which skewed the numbers, she said.

December rates in Kootenai County, the area’s most populous, fell 0.2 percent to 7.4 percent.

Bonner and Shoshone counties had 0.2 percent gains, for rates of 8 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively.

Benewah County continues to lead North Idaho with a 12 percent unemployment rate - down 0.1 percent from November.