Statewide jobless rate dips; county rate increases

Montana’s unemployment rate continued to move downward in October, dipping 0.1 percent to 6.0 percent while the national rate increased by 0.1 percent in October following a large drop last month.

“Montana continued to add jobs over the last month, putting 1,500 more Montanans back to work,” said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. “This month’s job gain is the strongest monthly gain since the end of the recession in 2009.  Montana’s economy is picking up steam.”

In Lincoln County, however, the news was not as good, as the jobless rate rose to 11.6 percent, with the ending of seasonal jobs, including those of asbestos clean-up crews. Lincoln County tied with nearby Sanders County for the highest unemployment rate in the state.

The September jobless rate in Lincoln County was 10.7 percent.

Montana’s total employment increased by 1,527 jobs during the month on a seasonally adjusted basis, compared to an average monthly gain of 708 jobs per month over the last year.  

Total employment includes both payroll workers, plus agricultural and self-employed workers.  Payroll employment estimates indicated an increase of 2,800 jobs, with a gain of 2,000 jobs in the private sector. Private-sector job gains were greatest in the Professional and Business Services industry and in Leisure and Hospitality. 

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.1 percent in October, with a slight decline in the energy index.  

The food index increased by 0.2 percent.  Core inflation, measured by the all items less food and energy index, rose 0.2 percent largely because of an increase in the shelter index. The 0.3 percent rise in the shelter index is the largest since March 2008 and provides further evidence of a recovery in home and rental prices.