Unemployment Rate Stays At 2.5 Percent

Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced Montana’s unemployment rate in August was below 3 percent for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the country’s unemployment rate rose to 3.8 percent in August.

Montanans have created more than 8,600 jobs in the first eight months of 2023 and nearly 40,000 jobs since Gianforte took office in January 2021.

“Despite national headwinds of inflation, Montanans continue to work hard to earn a living, own or rent a home, raise their family, and achieve the American dream,” Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to advance our projobs, pro-family, pro-business policies to drive our economy forward and help Montanans prosper.”

Total employment in Montana has grown every month of 2023, reaching a record high in August of 563,078 workers.

In August, Montana’s labor force also grew by more than 500 workers, adding nearly 7,500 workers since the start of the year.

Montana’s unemployment rate remained at 2.5 percent in August.

Roosevelt County’s unemployment rate is 3.5 percent which is tied with Rosebud for 50th in the state. Richland County is tied with Dawson County for 32nd place with an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent.

The counties with the lowest unemployment are Fallon at 1.4, Powder River at 1.6, Prairie at 1.6, Sheridan at 1.7 and Gallatin at 1.7. Valley County is sixth at 1.8 percent.

Counties with the highest unemployment are Glacier at 4.7, Lincoln at 4, Sanders at 3.8, Big Horn at 3.8 and Mineral at 4.7 percent.

The Fort Peck Reservation has an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent for second lowest for reservations. Flathead had an unemployment of 3.3 percent.