Unemployment Rate Remains Low
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced that the state set new records for total employment and labor force during the month of December.
According to data compiled by the Department of Labor and Industry and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Montana’s labor force grew by more than 1,200 workers during the month. Total employment is at an all-time high at 563,00 in December. Montana’s unemployment rate of 3.2% remains below the national unemployment rate of 3.7% in December.
The five counties with the lowest unemployment rate are Carter at 2.2, McCone at 2.3, Daniels at 2.4, Fallon at 2.5 and Gallatin at 2.6 percent.
Counties with the highest unemployment rate are Mineral at 6.6, Lincoln at 6.4, Glacier at 6.2, Sanders at 6 and Big Horn at 5.7 percent.
Roosevelt County ranks 48th at 4.9 percent.
Valley County is tied with Stillwater County in eighth place at 3 percent.
Other eastern Montana counties include Sheridan in sixth at 2.8, Dawson in 13th at 3.2 percent, Richland in 20th at 3.4 percent, Phillips in 39th at 4.3 and Garfield in 51st place at 5.6 percent.