Montana's Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.1%
Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate fell to 3.1 percent in September. Montana’s unemployment rate was lower than the national unemployment rate, which rose to 4.2 percent. Montana ranks in the top ten states with the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.
“As our economy continues to show strong growth and our unemployment rate remains low, we celebrate our progress to ensure hardworking Montanans can secure a good-paying job,” Gov. Gianforte said. “From historic investments in workforce training to creating clear pathways to careers in key industries, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry is unlocking the full potential of our workforce.”
Total employment (which includes payroll, agricultural, and self‑employed workers) increased by nearly 400 jobs in September, while the number of unemployed fell by 379 over the month. Payroll jobs declined by 1,300 jobs, most of which was concentrated in the Accommodation and Food Service, and Finance and Insurance sectors.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for gasoline rose 9.1 percent in September, accounting for over half of the monthly all-items increase. Core inflation, or the index for all items less food and energy, rose 2.6 percent over the last twelve months.
“Montana’s unemployment rate edged lower this month, but helping employers find the right skills remains a priority,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “That means working directly with businesses to understand their needs and helping Montanans build on the skills they already have to move into better-paying jobs.”
|
|
Unemployment Rate |
Employment |
|||
|
Rank |
County |
Current Unemployment Rate |
Change over Year |
Current Employment |
Job Change from Last Year |
|
1 |
Powder River |
1.4 |
-0.5 |
997 |
86 |
|
1 |
Treasure |
1.4 |
-1.5 |
582 |
217 |
|
3 |
Carter |
1.5 |
-0.6 |
702 |
38 |
|
4 |
Garfield |
1.7 |
-0.7 |
632 |
19 |
|
4 |
Judith Basin |
1.7 |
-1.3 |
965 |
43 |
|
6 |
Beaverhead |
1.9 |
-0.8 |
4,632 |
63 |
|
6 |
Park |
1.9 |
-0.5 |
11,071 |
195 |
|
6 |
Sheridan |
1.9 |
-0.9 |
1,643 |
-50 |
|
6 |
Sweet Grass |
1.9 |
-1.1 |
1,781 |
58 |
|
6 |
Toole |
1.9 |
-0.7 |
2,161 |
27 |
|
11 |
Fallon |
2 |
-0.4 |
1,499 |
97 |
|
11 |
Richland |
2 |
-0.5 |
5,562 |
24 |
|
11 |
Teton |
2 |
-0.7 |
2,955 |
104 |
|
11 |
Wibaux |
2 |
-1.4 |
402 |
8 |
|
11 |
Gallatin |
2 |
-0.4 |
76,625 |
-820 |
|
16 |
Custer |
2.1 |
-0.5 |
6,254 |
14 |
|
16 |
Daniels |
2.1 |
-0.4 |
701 |
5 |
|
16 |
Fergus |
2.1 |
-0.6 |
5,891 |
176 |
|
16 |
Liberty |
2.1 |
-0.3 |
882 |
14 |
|
16 |
Phillips |
2.1 |
-0.9 |
2,064 |
98 |
|
16 |
Prairie |
2.1 |
0.3 |
549 |
-143 |
|
16 |
Valley |
2.1 |
-0.9 |
3,436 |
-26 |
|
23 |
Golden Valley |
2.2 |
-1 |
450 |
60 |
|
23 |
McCone |
2.2 |
-0.7 |
870 |
35 |
|
23 |
Meagher |
2.2 |
-0.5 |
1,009 |
7 |
|
26 |
Carbon |
2.3 |
-0.7 |
5,557 |
33 |
|
26 |
Dawson |
2.3 |
-0.6 |
4,082 |
-72 |
|
26 |
Jefferson |
2.3 |
-0.6 |
6,115 |
21 |
|
26 |
Missoula |
2.3 |
-0.6 |
69,841 |
-9 |
|
26 |
Stillwater |
2.3 |
-0.8 |
4,552 |
20 |
|
31 |
Blaine |
2.4 |
-0.7 |
2,573 |
10 |
|
31 |
Broadwater |
2.4 |
-0.3 |
3,989 |
16 |
|
31 |
Lewis and Clark |
2.4 |
-0.6 |
36,412 |
22 |
|
31 |
Flathead |
2.4 |
-0.6 |
59,475 |
-70 |
|
35 |
Chouteau |
2.5 |
-0.2 |
2,692 |
63 |
|
35 |
Yellowstone |
2.5 |
-0.6 |
85,654 |
-411 |
|
37 |
Hill |
2.6 |
-0.6 |
6,931 |
127 |
|
37 |
Petroleum |
2.6 |
-1.2 |
260 |
33 |
|
37 |
Cascade |
2.6 |
-0.6 |
37,537 |
-262 |
|
40 |
Powell |
2.7 |
-0.6 |
2,619 |
32 |
|
41 |
Lake |
2.8 |
-0.9 |
14,300 |
173 |
|
41 |
Pondera |
2.8 |
-0.7 |
2,388 |
47 |
|
41 |
Ravalli |
2.8 |
-0.7 |
20,224 |
-54 |
|
44 |
Wheatland |
2.9 |
-1.3 |
726 |
46 |
|
44 |
Silver Bow |
2.9 |
-0.6 |
16,695 |
-209 |
|
46 |
Deer Lodge |
3.1 |
-0.4 |
4,240 |
4 |
|
46 |
Mineral |
3.1 |
-0.7 |
2,195 |
3 |
|
46 |
Rosebud |
3.1 |
-0.4 |
3,325 |
-54 |
|
49 |
Roosevelt |
3.3 |
-0.9 |
3,544 |
12 |
|
50 |
Granite |
3.5 |
-0.6 |
1,321 |
-15 |
|
51 |
Musselshell |
3.6 |
-0.7 |
1,827 |
-21 |
|
52 |
Glacier |
3.7 |
-0.5 |
5,866 |
-128 |
|
53 |
Sanders |
3.8 |
-1.1 |
4,754 |
5 |
|
54 |
Madison |
4.2 |
-0.3 |
3,007 |
-181 |
|
55 |
Lincoln |
4.3 |
-0.5 |
8,016 |
-106 |
|
56 |
Big Horn |
4.5 |
-1.1 |
4,187 |
-36 |
