Montana’s Unemployment Decreases For Month
Montana’s unemployment rate declined to 4.4 percent in December, down from 4.6 percent in November. Montana’s rate remains lower than the national rate of 6.7 percent in December.
“While we’re encouraged that Montana’s unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate, we have work to do to get our economy going again, get Montana open for business, and get Montanans back to work in good-paying jobs,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said.
Roosevelt County ranks 33rd in the state with an unemployment rate of 4.6 percent. The county has 116 less employed jobs than a year ago.
Richland County is 43rd at 5.1 percent. Sheridan is 44th at 5.4 percent. Valley County ranks 16th at 3.8 percent.
The counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Carter at 2.5, McCone at 2.7 and Daniels at 2.9.
Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Glacier at 8.2, Lincoln at 7.5 and Mineral at 7.4.
As far as reservations, Flathead has the lowest unemployment at 5.3 percent. Fort Peck ranks second at 6.0 percent. Fort Peck has lost 101 jobs from the same time a year ago.
Payroll employment added 400 jobs over the last month, with job gains in construction, retail trade, and healthcare. Total employment, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, fell by 1,180 jobs in December, the first contraction since April. Total employment gains for the 4th quarter remained strong, adding roughly 4,800 jobs. The labor force contracted by 2,382 in December.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by 0.4 percent in December, led by a large increase in gasoline prices. The index for all items less food and energy, referred to as core inflation, increased by 0.1 percent.
