Idaho Unemployment Down To 3% In May

By Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Idaho Capital Sun

June 18, 2021

Two of Idaho’s five largest areas saw non-farm job gains. Jobs in Idaho Falls grew by 0.3%, followed by Boise at 0.2%. Lewiston, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene all showed job losses of -1%, -0.5% and -0.1% respectively.

The release was sent one day before extended unemployment benefits that were issued during the COVID-19 pandemic are set to end on Saturday.

The following federal programs that will end include:

When the decision to end the benefits was announced in May, Gov. Brad Little said employers were telling him one of the major reasons they could not recruit and retain some workers was because of the enhanced benefits.

Some research has shown the enhanced benefit of $600 per week that was available earlier in the pandemic had little to no impact on employment, while the current enhanced benefit is half that amount.

Compared to this time last year, the Idaho Department of Labor showed non-farm jobs up 8.9% (+63,900), with every sector showing increases. Leisure and hospitality, the most affected industry during the pandemic, is 37% above where it was a year ago and has increased 4.1% above pre-pandemic levels in February 2020, according to the release.

The Idaho Capital Sun, the Gem State’s newest nonprofit news organization, delivers accountability reporting on state government, politics and policy.