State’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.5 Percent
Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced Montana’s unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5 percent in April. Montana’s unemployment rate was lower than the national unemployment rate, which remained unchanged over the month at 4.3 percent.
“As businesses grow and expand in Montana, we want to ensure our workforce is able to meet their employment needs,” Gianforte said. “Through 406 JOBS, we’re reducing barriers to employment to continue our progress on increasing labor participation.”
Roosevelt County is tied with Rosebud County as the county at 48th for unemployment at 4.2 percent.
Other area counties include Sheridan tied for eighth at 2.3 percent, Daniels and Custer tied for 12th at 2.4 percent, Richland in 16th at 2.5 percent, Dawson in 22nd at 2.6 percent and Valley in 24th at 2.7 percent.
The five counties with the lowest unemployment are Prairie at 1.2, Carter at 1.5, Powder River at 1.8, Treasure at 1.8 and Liberty at 1.9.
The five counties with the highest unemployment are Lincoln at 6.3, Granite at 5.7, Big Horn at 5.7, Madison at 5.4 and Glacier at 4.9.
Fort Peck has the second lowest unemployment for reservations at 5.8 percent. Flathead is first at 4.2 percent. Fort Belknap ranks seventh at 12.4 percent.
Montana’s labor force, total employment (which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers), and unemployment all declined over the month. The decline in unemployment was larger than the decline in employment. As a result, the unemployment rate ticked down slightly. The number of unemployed fell by 690 in April and total employment declined by 579 jobs. Payroll jobs rose by 800 in April, with the largest gains in construction and healthcare.
