Montana’s Unemployment Rate Declined In January

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced Montana’s unemployment rate declined to 2.5 percent in January, matching the record low set in the governor’s second year in office, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Montana’s unemployment rate in January is the fourth lowest in the nation.

“Hardworking Montanans continue to drive our state’s growing economy, despite severe national headwinds. Montanans are setting new records for job creation, business creation, and employment,” Gianforte said. “With them in mind, we’ll keep building on our pro-business, pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda so more Montanans can thrive, prosper, and achieve the American dream.”

Montana’s unemployment rate has only dipped below 3 percent in 18 months since record keeping began in 1976. Fifteen of those 18 months have taken place during Gov. Gianforte’s tenure.

Roosevelt Count is tied for 41st among Montana counties with an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. Valley County is 29th at 3 percent, Phillips is 51st at 5 percent, Richland is tied for eighth at 2.1 percent, McCone is tied for sixth at 2 percent and Sheridan is 11th at 2.2 percent.

The top five counties for lowest unemployment are Fallon at 1.7, Daniels at 1.7, Toole at 1.7, Wibaux at 1.8 and Gallatin at 1.9.

Five counties with the highest unemployment are Sanders at 6 percent, Lincoln at 6, Mineral at 5.6, Glacier at 5.5 and Granite at 5.1.

Fort Peck ranks second lowest for reservations with an unemployment rate of 4.8 percent. Flathead tops the rankings at 4.1 percent.