Month: June 2025
Regional labor market information
Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home sales – May 2024 and 2025
| Median price sold | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | $579,900 | $559,839 | 3.6% |
| Adams | $417,500 | $525,000 | -20.5% |
| Boise | $571,000 | $467,500 | 22.1% |
| Canyon | $433,490 | $419,995 | 3.2% |
| Elmore | $369,900 | $352,000 | 5.1% |
| Gem | $425,445 | $408,500 | 4.1% |
| Owyhee | $390,000 | $372,500 | 4.7% |
| Payette | $395,000 | $400,750 | -1.4% |
| Valley | $812,000 | $790,000 | 2.8% |
| Washington | $312,125 | $420,635 | -25.8% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
Figure 1b.
| Days on market | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 34 | 38 | -10.5% |
| Adams | 72 | 98 | -26.5% |
| Boise | 44 | 75 | -41.3% |
| Canyon | 44 | 42 | 4.8% |
| Elmore | 53 | 28 | 89.3% |
| Gem | 51 | 48 | 6.3% |
| Owyhee | 48 | 65 | -26.2% |
| Payette | 37 | 53 | -30.2% |
| Valley | 57 | 57 | 0.0% |
| Washington | 52 | 39 | 33.3% |
| Regional average days | 49 | 54 | -9.4% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
Figure 1c.
| Inventory | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 2,121 | 1,629 | 30.2% |
| Adams | 48 | 36 | 33.3% |
| Boise | 149 | 102 | 46.1% |
| Canyon | 1,173 | 1,065 | 10.1% |
| Elmore | 152 | 98 | 55.1% |
| Gem | 127 | 79 | 60.8% |
| Owyhee | 35 | 30 | 16.7% |
| Payette | 118 | 113 | 4.4% |
| Valley | 185 | 154 | 20.1% |
| Washington | 57 | 52 | 9.6% |
| Regional totals | 4,165 | 3,358 | 24.0% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
Figure 1d.
| Total homes sold | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 835 | 809 | 3.2% |
| Adams | 6 | 4 | 50.0% |
| Boise | 16 | 14 | 14.3% |
| Canyon | 464 | 438 | 5.9% |
| Elmore | 45 | 29 | 55.2% |
| Gem | 36 | 26 | 38.5% |
| Owyhee | 5 | 10 | -50.0% |
| Payette | 35 | 34 | 2.9% |
| Valley | 16 | 20 | -20.0% |
| Washington | 12 | 15 | -20.0% |
| SW sold and % change | 1,470 | 1,399 | 5.1% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
| Southwestern Idaho job postings | May-24 | May-25 | % change | # change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unique postings | 10,279 | 9,524 | -7.3% | -755 |
| Days posted | 10 | 14 | 40.0% | 4 |
| Number of employers | 2,217 | 2,273 | 2.5% | 56 |
| Advertised wage | $25.05 | $28.98 | 15.7% | $3.93 |
| Share wage advertisements | 42% | 49% | 16.7% | 7% |
| Source: Help Wanted Online data via Lightcast |
| Top occupations by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 | Year over year % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 313 | 314 | -0.3% |
| Retail salespersons | 222 | 267 | -16.9% |
| Customer service representatives | 178 | 212 | -16.0% |
| Sales representatives, wholesale, manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 207 | 216 | -4.2% |
| Trailer-tractor truck drivers | 175 | 126 | 38.9% |
| Software developers | 184 | 134 | 37.3% |
| Janitors and cleaners | 90 | 121 | -25.6% |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 128 | 161 | -20.5% |
| Project managers | 110 | 132 | -16.7% |
| Business development and sales managers | 111 | 137 | -19.0% |
| Account managers and representatives | 77 | 87 | -43.8 |
| Source: Help Wanted Online data via Lightcast |
Regional news
Ada County
- The Idaho Department of Labor’s Boise local office hosted a hiring event at the State of Idaho’s Chinden Campus. It was well attended with 23 employers and 232 job seekers. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
- Micron announced it plans to build a second fabrication plant at its southeast Boise campus. The company is currently constructing its research and development plant alongside a water treatment plant. It is purported that the bare ground between the existing campus and the new construction will be filled with buildings and parking structures developed to handle the R&D production process and workforce. The company expects the second Boise fab to come online before the first New York fabrication plant commonly referred to as a ‘megafab’ based on its output. The company expects to create an estimated 90,000 indirect and direct jobs across the U.S. Source: Micron and Idaho Business Review
- Pivot Pointe is a new subdivision in Meridian with homes priced lower than normal. It was developed by national builder KB Homes and is offering single-family residences significantly below Ada County’s May median sales price of $579,500. Its starting price point is $380,000 for a 1,570 square foot home with the caveat that prices are an estimate as some carry fees. Homes are under construction in other KB subdivisions in Meridian and in Nampa. Source: Idaho Business Review
Boise County
- Bogus Basin officially opened its summer operations with offerings such as the Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, the bike park and the Mineshaft Challenge Course. The chairlift transports people seeking thrills on the mountain bike trails, as well as those seeking hiking opportunities, scenic vistas and photo opportunities. Bogus Basin is also collaborating with the Duck Club that created Treefort Music Fest to offer a series of live music events throughout the summer. Details can be found here. Source: Idaho Press and Bogus Basin
- Horseshoe Bend is experiencing issues with its source of potable water, the Payette River. Residents are asked to conserve water which has been treated and stored in the city water tank. Mudslides upriver turned the water dark brown, stopping it from being treated. The conservation is expected to be temporary as the river will clear up. Source: Idaho News 6
Canyon County
- Salvador Alamilla, the owner of Amano, is the second Idaho chef to win a James Beard Award for the Mountain region. The award was presented in Chicago, competing against chefs in Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. The win comes after four years of repeated nominations. The restaurant has been open for approximately six years, having recently moved to a different location in Caldwell. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The Kroger Company announced plans to build a 155,000-square-foot Fred Meyer store in Caldwell. The store will employ 250 workers with the company expecting to break ground in the spring of 2026 and open in 2026 or 2027. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The Gardner Group announced rebranding of the Nampa Gateway Center to the Sugar District, a nod to the nearby processing plant. The 65-acre development will look different with a new façade, updated landscaping, parking and lighting to start. A 112-room TownePlace Suites Hotel will open in late July while a second Flying Pickle indoor pickleball club will open during the fall. Nampa Gateway Center originally opened in 2007 with J.C. Penney as its anchor. Sports Authority and Macy’s opened in 2009, then the Regal Edwards Nampa Gateway movie theater opened in 2010. Except for J.C. Penney, the ensuing businesses have all shuttered. Apartments and townhomes are part of the larger development plan but still in the design stage. A block party was held in June to celebrate the rebranding of the Sugar District with giveaways, food and Bus Bar Idaho which served mocktails. Source: Idaho Statesman
Gem County
- The 90th annual Cherry Festival was held in Emmett with growers reporting the warm days and nights leading up to the second week of June produced a crop of cherries. It is estimated that an average of 55,000 visitors went to Emmett to enjoy at least one of the four days of activities and cherry picking options in the orchards. Source: Idaho Press
Valley County
- Both Brundage and Tamarack ski resorts are operating their chair lifts for summer recreation such as hiking and mountain biking. Brundage offers an event center coined Bluebird Pavilion. Both hills feature live music, bike races or fun runs and yoga on the mountain. Tamarack’s Osprey Meadows Golf Course is newly open, offering 18-holes with a 19th Gambler’s Hole. Source: The Star-News
New construction projects
- Northwest Nazarene University broke ground on its new indoor athletics training facility. The 22,000-square-foot building is named after the donor of the steel for the building — Rob Roberts of R&M Steel. The focus is on activity, health and wellness but the university emphasized it will be one of the top training centers for golf in the Northwest. Source: Idaho Business Review
- Construction is underway on an 11,384-square-foot administrative building and equipment yard as the Ada County Highway District’s maintenance and operations facility moves from Garden City to a site on South Apple and Federal Way. Source: Ada County Highway District and BoiseDev
- A new retail strip mall is under construction in southeast Boise with Master Lee’s Taekwondo as the anchor tenant, moving from around the block. Source: BoiseDev and City of Boise Planning
Openings
- Johnson Thermal Systems, a Caldwell-based company, hosted a grand opening celebration for its second Idaho plant, this one in Nampa. The company manufactures generators that keep data centers in operation during power outages. The cost of the 172,000 square foot facility is $55 million and allows the company to double its manufacturing capacity, according to the company president. The new plant is in the process of hiring 140 workers, mentioning there may be a need for another Nampa plant in the future. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Tacos Loteria opened in Meridian at the former Von’s Chicken space, moving from its two-year-old food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Source: Idaho Statesman
- A second Treasure Valley Wienerschnitzel restaurant opened in Nampa complete with a grand opening celebration. The fast-food franchise was founded in 1961 with a hot dog cart in southern California. Source: KTVB News
- El Molcajete Mexican restaurant opened in Meridian at the former Biscuits & Hogs and Sunrise Café sites. Source: Idaho Statesman
- State Street Food Truck Lot opened in Boise on a lot that was formerly used for outdoor auto storage. It is home to Pop’s Treasure Valley Taqueria, The Hood and Anzalone Pizza. There will be rotations throughout the summer. The area is complete with yard games, portable restrooms, picnic tables and shade umbrellas. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The 26-story apartment tower named Arthur, after Arthur Oppenheimer who founded Oppenheimer Development Corporation, opened in Boise’s downtown area. It is billed as the tallest residential building with 298 luxury units, a rooftop pool, a 24-hour concierge and barista services, 327 covered parking spots and 8,800 square feet of retail. Source: Idaho Business Review
- A new farmers’ market opened in Boise called the West Bench Farmers Market operating on Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. It offers food and craft vendors. Global Gardens, an Idaho Office for Refugees program, received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to establish the new market offering a fresh-food resource to the community. At the same time, it is creating economic opportunities for small-scale producers of ethnic goods and fresh garden produce. Global Lounge is focused on cultural preservation, education, integration and the promotion of cultural awareness for individual and community development. Other partners include the neighborhood association, Boise Bicycle Project, City of Good and radio station Tropico FM. Source: Capital Press
Closings
- Shige’s Sushi Express in Meridian is closing after 14 years. Shige founded downtown Boise’s first sushi restaurant in 1992, it closed 26 years later. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The Stuffed Olive closed in Eagle. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Vons Chicken closed its restaurant in a Meridian strip mall. It was known for its popular Korean fried chicken. The company is headquartered in South Korea with locations in the U.S., Guam, China, Vietnam, Guatemala and Cambodia. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Sushi Joy Asian Cuisine near downtown Boise closed after 14 years. Umai Sushi Burrito claims it will open within a month offering sushi burritos, poke bowls, noodle soups and teriyaki plates. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The Rite Aid stores in McCall and Caldwell have shuttered. This is part of the bankruptcy proceedings with the company commenting that many of its stores will be sold to CVS Pharmacy. Source: Idaho Statesman
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional labor market information
- Labor demand in northern Idaho was robust in May 2025, with a total of 1,874 unique job postings in the region. This number was slightly lower than the previous month, with 2,140 postings in April 2025. However, this month was consistent year over year with seasonal trends, with May 2024 having 1,864 postings. Unemployment decreased slightly to 4.6% in May, compared to 4.7% in April and has unchanged year over year. Total employment and labor force both increased slightly year over year.
| Northern Idaho seasonally adjusted data | May-25 (P) | Apr-25 (R) | May-24 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 130,999 | 132,250 | 129,014 |
| Total employment | 124,924 | 126,065 | 123,056 |
| Unemployment | 6,075 | 6,185 | 5,958 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked |
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 90 | 77 |
| Retail salespersons | 68 | 80 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 66 | 57 |
| Customer service representatives | 40 | 33 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 34 | 20 |
| Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand | 32 | 29 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 30 | 34 |
| Medical and health services managers | 29 | 39 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 25 | 36 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 296 | 283 |
| Retail trade | 196 | 244 |
| Administrative and support services | 169 | 151 |
| Accommodation and food services | 117 | 112 |
| Finance and insurance | 85 | 98 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 82 | 58 |
| Manufacturing | 79 | 84 |
| Wholesale trade | 73 | 66 |
| Other services | 58 | 48 |
| Construction | 55 | 46 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho | Median duration, May-25 | Median duration, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Business operations specialists and all other | 26 | N/A |
| Loan officers | 25 | N/A |
| Social science research assistants | 24 | N/A |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | 24 | N/A |
| Educational, guidance, career counselors and advisors | 23 | N/A |
| Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers | 23 | N/A |
| Parts salespersons | 22 | N/A |
| Tire repairers and changers | 22 | N/A |
| Recreational therapists | 22 | N/A |
| Security guards | 20 | N/A |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Regional news
Kootenai County
- Coeur d’Alene Ironman was held on Sunday, June 22. The 70.3-mile triathlon, which has become a fixture summer event in Coeur d’Alene, drew more than 1,000 athletes to northern Idaho this year. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- A new retail center in Coeur d’Alene is nearing completion and has begun announcing tenants. A Five Guys restaurant and EyeMart Express will anchor the new Heritage Square on U.S. 95 in northern Coeur d’Alene. The property has additional retail spaces available, with Five Guys set to open in July. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The Post Falls City Council approved a construction improvement agreement for a 148-lot subdivision in northern Post Falls. The project, dubbed Crown Reserve, will be located north of the Crown Pointe Subdivision and will require significant infrastructure improvements. No timeline has been published for construction. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- Lyon Living, a California based developer, is planning a $165 million luxury residential project at the Coeur d’Alene National Reserve, which is a private golf resort on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The developer plans to break ground this summer and build 55 homes. The first phase, named The Fairway Lodges, will consist of 24 three-bedroom homes along the 17th fairway of the Coeur d’Alene National Reserve course, with prices starting at $2 million. Source: Journal of Business
- North Idaho College is launching a new Culinary Arts Sous Chef apprenticeship, which will include classroom instruction and 4,000 hours of paid employment at local restaurants across six semesters. College representatives said that the “earn as you learn” apprenticeship model will not only help participants maintain employment while earning their credential but also help the local food service industry with pressing labor shortages. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Openings
- Indigo Urgent Care (Hayden).
- Gem State Primary Care (Hayden).
- Café Rio (Post Falls).
- Alani Bakery LLC (Coeur d’Alene).
- Anchored Coffee Company (Coeur d’Alene).
- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop (Post Falls).
- Copow Café (Coeur d’Alene).
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional news
- The Nez Perce Tribe has established the Department of Planning and Economic Development to guide the tribe’s long-term economic growth. Source: Nez Perce Tribe
- The Innovia Foundation awarded over $162,000 in community grants to 13 nonprofit organizations within north central Idaho. Award grantees by county include:
- Clearwater County: Clearwater Community Complex and Clearwater County Senior Citizens Inc.
- Idaho County: City of Kooskia, Kids Klub and REACH Club.
- Latah County: APOD Productions, Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre and Latah Recovery Community Center Inc.
- Lewis County: River Arts Kamiah and Upriver Youth Leadership Council.
- Nez Perce County: Chief Joseph Foundation, LC Crew and Public Health – North Central District Source: Innovia Foundation
- The cities of Pierce and Deary are participating in the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health’s 2025 Community Health Academy. The program lasts from June through October and attendees learn strategies for building healthy communities. Each participating city will be awarded a $20,000 health project grant at the end of the five-month program. Source: Clearwater Tribune
Nez Perce County
- The Port of Lewiston is partnering with Pivot Tech Development Inc. to build a fiber optic network with open access architecture. Project construction will begin within the next few months and is expected to be completed by October 2025. Confluence Communications is a new nonprofit organization created to build, operate and maintain the Lewiston community fiber network. Source: Port of Lewiston
- The American Red Cross will close its blood donation center in Lewiston in early August 2025. The organization has had a presence in Lewiston for 27 years and currently has a staff of five employees. The organization will bring in future teams from Boise to collect blood donations in the Lewiston area. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Lewis-Clark State College’s hospitality management program was awarded the 2025 Idaho Division of Career Technical Education Exemplary Postsecondary Program. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
- Performance Health and Wellness in downtown Lewiston has been renamed RegenTech Physical Therapy. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- The Idaho Transportation Department plans to begin replacing the Spalding Bridge in 2028. A public comment period will be held during July 2025 and final plans will be submitted September 2025. Source: KOZE
- Idaho Power plans to purchase 1.19 acres in the Harry Wall Industrial Park to construct a 5,400 square foot building for storing its fish monitoring jetboats. Source: Lewiston Tribune
Idaho County
- Syringa Hospital and Clinics purchased a vacant lot in Grangeville as well as working towards acquiring another for future expansion. Source: Idaho County Free Press
- The Idaho Transportation Department will be reconstructing Mount Idaho Grade outside of Grangeville from Rocky Point Lane to SH-14. All lanes are closed from June – November 2025. Source: Big Country News
- Exodus Salmon River Rafting in Riggins is under new ownership. Source: Idaho County Free Press
Latah County
- The University of Idaho held a soft opening for the new Deep Soil Ecotron soil analysis facility under construction in Moscow. The project will provide for deep soil analysis down to three meters and is on schedule to be operational by the fall of 2026. The $19 million Ecotron lab funding was announced in October 2021 by the U.S. National Science Foundation with a five-year construction period. The only other Ecotron in the U.S. is housed at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada. Source: Pullman Radio, Science Journal
- The University of Idaho (UI) officially terminated plans to acquire the University of Phoenix with the Idaho State Board of Education after a final deal could not be reached. UI has been pursuing acquiring the University of Phoenix since 2023. Source: Idaho State Board of Education
- The City of Moscow’s city offices have transitioned to a four-day week for the months of July and August and will resume regular hours in September. The summer hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. -Monday through Thursday. The offices are closed on Fridays. Source: City of Moscow
- Latah County will begin housing its jail inmates in Nez Perce County by the fall of 2025. The Latah County Jail is currently out of compliance with its fire suppression, plumbing, electrical and camera systems. Because of this, Latah County is exploring options for funding construction of a new jail facility. Idaho currently operates 36 county jails statewide. Source: Lewiston Tribune
Clearwater County
- Clearwater County voters approved the $300,000 annual levy for the Clearwater County Ambulance District. Source: Clearwater Tribune
- The City of Orofino was selected for the Main Street America Transformation Strategy Workshop by Idaho Commerce. Source: Big Country News
- NightForce Optics received approval from the City of Orofino to convert a former U.S. Forest Service building into workforce housing comprised of six apartments. Source: Clearwater Tribune
- The Idaho Transportation Department has began working to replace the bridge over Quartz Creek, north of Pierce, with completion expected in September 2025. Source: KOZE
Openings
- Sandcastle Antiques, White Bird.
- W&W Upholstery, Grangeville.
- The Brickhouse eatery, Grangeville.
- Seth Stoke Construction relocated from St. Maries to Grangeville.
- Trailhead Veterinary Services, Grangeville.
- Hobby Lobby, Lewiston.
- Gathered Roots Cleaning Services, Lewiston.
- 530 Media, Lewiston.
- Sam’s Dog Grooming, Lewiston.
- Retroplay Vintage antique store, Pierce.
Closings
- Kooskia Feed & Supply, Kooskia.
- Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center, Moscow.
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional labor market information
- Labor force estimates for May 2025 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have both total over-the-month employment and unemployment decreasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, May preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 1,636 people, with 1,463 fewer employed people and 176 fewer unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region decreased to 3.2% since last month and 0.1 percentage points higher than May 2024.
| Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | May-25 (P) | Apr-25 (P) | May-24 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 131,657 | 133,293 | 134,559 |
| Total employment | 127,473 | 128,936 | 130,359 |
| Unemployment | 4,184 | 4,357 | 4,200 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.1 |
| P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked Source: Idaho Department of Labor |
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- There were an estimated 2,446 deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for May 2025, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (This is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 2,446 postings are an 18% decrease from 2,998 the prior month, but a 21% increase from 1,938 year-over-year. There was no change in the top five of unique job postings in the region for May. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings in May were education administrators and driver sales workers. Employer hiring demand, based on quantity of job postings, increased 10% for retail sales supervisors. Hiring demand decreased for all other occupations since last month.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, April 2025 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 108 |
| Registered salespersons | 95 |
| Registered nurses | 85 |
| First-line supervisors of retail service workers | 61 |
| Customer service representatives | 49 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 42 |
| Secondary school teachers | 40 |
| Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary | 40 |
| Coaches and scouts | 36 |
| Driver sales workers | 36 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
- Manufacturing replaced administrative support, waste management and remediation services in the top five regional industries by quantity of job postings for May. Hiring demand based on total unique job postings increased over the month by 3% in the health care and social assistance industry. Hiring demand, based on total job postings, decreased across the board in all other top industries by unique job postings.
| Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, May 2025 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 346 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 288 |
| Retail trade | 272 |
| Educational services | 272 |
| Manufacturing | 175 |
| Wholesale trade | 145 |
| Construction | 117 |
| Public administration | 86 |
| Accommodation and food services | 69 |
| Finance and insurance | 61 |
| Real estate, rental and leasing | 60 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Hardest-to-fill occupations in the eastern Idaho region for May, by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, included coaches, scouts, driver sales workers and project management specialists. The hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in May by occupational family were in construction. Occupations added to the hardest-to-fill jobs list in May were software developers, construction laborers, driver sales workers, secretaries, administrative assistants and project management specialists.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, May 2025 | Days to fill | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational health and safety specialists | 48 | 12 |
| Software developers | 42 | 12 |
| Civil engineers | 41 | 17 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 37 | 25 |
| Coaches and scouts | 36 | 36 |
| Operating engineers and construction equipment operators | 36 | 17 |
| Construction laborers | 36 | 14 |
| Driver sales workers | 34 | 36 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants | 34 | 20 |
| Project management specialists | 33 | 32 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Regional news
- The following programs or majors at Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU) are under review for potential restructure: finance, visual and performing arts, human development and education. (Specifically special education and secondary education.) Changes to programs or majors will not affect current students. Source: BYU-Idaho Scroll
- Yellowstone National Park visitation for May shows an 8% increase compared to May 2024. May had the busiest on record, with 566,363 guests. Year to date, the park has hosted 762,672 visitors, an increase of 6% from last year and an increase of 17% from 2021. Source: National Park Service
- The University of Idaho (UI) Extension Forestry program made educational outreach and recruitment efforts in eastern Idaho to agriculture students and trained Future Farmers of America Forestry Competition teams. They also facilitated the Eastern Idaho Forestry Field Days for urban-wildland homeowners on how to protect their properties. A seminar was also given on logging, which was once central to the region’s economy, but few sawmills remain. Source: UI Extension
- Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-I) reported enrollment increases of 2.2% for fall, 5.5% for winter and 2% for spring semesters. Current total enrollment is over 17,000 campus-based students and an estimated 14,700 students living in Rexburg this semester. Source: BYU-Idaho
Bonneville County
- Riverbend Management, Inc. has four new tenants opening businesses in their Idaho Falls commercial development: Marco’s Pizza, Stella’s Ice Cream, Soda Barn and Fit 1 Gym. Source: East Idaho News
- The new Black Feather Apartments in Idaho Falls began leasing 156 units of affordable housing. Source: Post Register
- The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cuttings and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Teton Auto Credit, Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Idaho Trust Company. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
Jefferson County
- The 12,000-square-foot Hub in Rigby is opening with 11 commercial tenants, including Rigby’s Patty Shack, Lucy’s New York Style Pizza and Luxe Beauty Lounge. Source: East Idaho News
- A new photography studio, Design DNA, opened in Rigby. Source: Jefferson Star
- HMH Engineering opened a new location in Rigby. Source: Jefferson Star
Lemhi County
- Idaho Cobalt Operations mining project is now owned by New JRV Topco Holdings, doing business as NewCo, after Jervois filed for bankruptcy. Source: Challis Messenger
Madison County
- The Graze Café opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
- Rexburg Chamber of Commerce announced the Altura Community Consulting & Business Finance groundbreaking and ribbon cuttings for Wind River Insurance, Curry Pizza and Executive Networking Referral Group. Source: Rexburg Chamber of Commerce
- Rexburg City Council approved the purchase of five acres for a new $1.3 million police station. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
Teton County
- A new gym, Modular Training, opened in Victor. The gym’s open house included a block party hosted by several neighboring businesses. Source: Jackson Hole News & Guide
- Teton Valley Rotary donated $38,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors. Source: Teton Valley News
Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – May 2024 and May 2025
- The past 14 years, housing demand has skyrocketed statewide, with Jefferson and Teton counties the only non-urban counties in the state to help meet this demand, with housing unit supply growth of over 25%. The most recent regional housing supply statistics are also true to this theme with year-over-year inventory increases in these same rural counties: 72% in Jefferson County and 75% in Teton County. The region’s only urban counties, Madison and Bonneville, reported an over-the-year housing inventory increase of 10% and 43%, respectively. Median home prices have mostly held steady from what they were a year ago, regionwide.
| Median price sold | May-25 | May-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | $471,000 | $480,000 | -1.9% |
| Butte | $307,450 | $227,250 | 35.3% |
| Clark | $342,000 | $240,000 | 42.5% |
| Custer | $570,000 | $618,700 | -7.9% |
| Fremont | $705,000 | $671,000 | 5.1% |
| Jefferson | $488,000 | $597,000 | -18.3% |
| Lemhi | $487,500 | $639,500 | -23.8% |
| Madison | $499,450 | $449,700 | 11.1% |
| Teton | $895,000 | $921,000 | -2.8% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | |||
| Active listings (inventory) | May-25 | May-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 436 | 304 | 43.4% |
| Butte | 13 | 16 | -18.8% |
| Clark | 2 | 1 | 100.0% |
| Custer | 32 | 37 | -13.5% |
| Fremont | 113 | 112 | 0.9% |
| Jefferson | 115 | 67 | 71.6% |
| Lemhi | 62 | 39 | 59.0% |
| Madison | 99 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Teton | 149 | 85 | 75.3% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | #Colspan# | #Colspan# | #Colspan# |
| Median days on market | May-25 | May-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 36 | 33 | 9.1% |
| Butte | 43 | 84 | -48.8% |
| Clark | 61 | 24 | 154.2% |
| Custer | 81 | 127 | -36.2% |
| Fremont | 48 | 54 | -11.1% |
| Jefferson | 45 | 45 | 0.0% |
| Lemhi | 84 | 47 | 78.7% |
| Madison | 47 | 51 | -7.8% |
| Teton | 67 | 49 | 36.7% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | #Colspan# | #Colspan# | #Colspan# |
| Total homes pending sale | May-25 | May-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 200 | 176 | 13.6% |
| Butte | 3 | 4 | -25.0% |
| Clark | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
| Custer | 5 | 5 | 0.0% |
| Fremont | 17 | 13 | 30.8% |
| Jefferson | 42 | 51 | -17.6% |
| Lemhi | 9 | 7 | 28.6% |
| Madison | 40 | 28 | 42.9% |
| Teton | 27 | 79 | -65.8% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | |||
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional labor market information
- Labor force estimates for May 2025 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics had total employment and total unemployment decreasing in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, May’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants decreasing by 87 people, with 70 less employed people and 17 less unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.5%, which decreased 0.2% from April 2025 and stayed the same in May 2024.
| Southeastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | May-25 (P) | Apr-25 (R) | May-24 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 87,610 | 87,697 | 86,414 |
| Total employment | 84,578 | 84,648 | 83,269 |
| Unemployment | 3,032 | 3,049 | 3,145 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.5% | 3.7% | 3.5% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
- In May 2025 there were 1,591 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, which increased 9% from the prior month at 1,460 and 5% over the year at 1,510. The median job posting duration was 29 days, which decreased two days from April and increased six days compared to May 2024.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 72 | 80 |
| Retail salespersons | 55 | 89 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 41 | 42 |
| Coaches and scouts | 38 | 5 |
| Customer service representatives | 33 | 37 |
| Teaching assistants, except postsecondary | 32 | 6 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 28 | 6 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 26 | 19 |
| Special education teachers, all other | 25 | 10 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 25 | 39 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho for May were health care, sales and transportation. Among specific occupations, top results included registered nurses (72), retail sales (55) and truck drivers (41). Job postings for coaches and scouts increased to 38 — a notable increase from five postings in 2024.
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 235 | 174 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | 81 | 0 |
| College, universities and professional schools | 63 | 68 |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | 62 | 58 |
| Other general government support | 58 | 81 |
| Supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores | 51 | 40 |
| Engineering services | 40 | 10 |
| Lessors of other real estate property | 30 | 26 |
| Frozen fruit, juice and vegetable manufacturing | 27 | 17 |
| Limited-service restaurants | 27 | 19 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Health care, social assistance, retail, trade and education are at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in May. Education postings ranked higher than manufacturing in postings, which fell to fourth on the list of most unique job postings. The list includes general medical and surgical hospitals, frozen food manufacturing and elementary schools. Elementary and secondary schools also have 81 job postings, compared to last year when there was zero job postings.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southeastern Idaho | Median duration, May-25 | Unique postings, May-25 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 59 | 3 |
| Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers | 59 | 1 |
| Shipping, receiving and inventory clerks | 58 | 2 |
| First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers | 58 | 1 |
| Slaughteres and meat packers | 58 | 1 |
| Machinists | 57 | 2 |
| Postsecondary teachers | 55 | 8 |
| Medical equipment preparers | 54 | 4 |
| Interpreters and translators | 53 | 3 |
| Adult basic education, adult secondary education and English as a second language instructors | 53 | 1 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Based on the hiring challenges by median number of days an occupational job posting is listed, truck operators (59), mining engineers (59), inventory clerks (58) and groundskeeping supervisors (58) stood out. Of these top hardest-to-fill occupations, none of them were in the top 10 for most in demand. Postsecondary teachers had the most unique postings of the top in demand occupations at eight job postings.
| County housing data, May 2025 | Median listing price | Month over month price change | Median days on the market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bannock | $429,950 | 1.76% | 40 | 293 |
| Bear Lake | $619,000 | 2.48% | 72 | 71 |
| Bingham | $454,900 | 0.53% | 42 | 146 |
| Caribou | $419,900 | 8.08% | 60 | 42 |
| Franklin | $485,000 | -4.43% | 47 | 63 |
| Oneida | $393,750 | 0.20% | 132 | 22 |
| Power | $379,900 | -14.63% | 74 | 23 |
| Source: Realtor.com Economic Research | ||||
- In May, Power County had a notable departure from its increasing price trend with a 15% decrease in listed median price. (Power County is already the lowest cost market in the region). Also during May, Bingham County saw a median price increase of 8% with a relatively sizeable 146 house inventory. Bannock County was the hottest market with a median of 40 days on the market and 293 active listings. The county with the longest median time on the market, was still Oneida County at 132 days, a decrease of 20 days from last month.
Regional news
Bannock County
- A bowling tournament, Rally in the Alley, was held in Pocatello. $7,373 in proceeds was given to the Family Services Alliance of Southeast Idaho which provides support to victims of domestic abuse and exploitation. Source: KPVI News
- The Pocatello City Council held a meeting to discuss a proposed South Fifth Avenue Area Wide Plan. This plan uses U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds to invest in the region. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Demolition of parts of the Pine Ridge Mall began as a part of the process to convert it into an open-air shopping plaza. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello’s Gateway Transitional Care Center is undergoing a remodel for the addition of a vent and trach unit for those recovering from respiratory illness. This will be the first facility of its kind in the region. Source: KIFI News
- Aid For Friends Shelter in Pocatello hosted their “Splish and Splash” fundraiser. The event partnered with Ross Park Aquatic Complex to raise money to keep their homeless shelter stocked and operational. The event aimed to raise $15,000 in donations. Source: KIFI News
- Pocatello based SnapTight Products LLC has been invited to showcase their insulation products on the television show “Designing Spaces.” The program explores interior design and remodeling. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Construction began for a new bar and restaurant in Lava Hot Springs called Carol Cove. Source: KPVI News
- Connections Credit Union implemented a mobile branch to better serve rural parts of southeast Idaho. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Greenacres Elementary School in Pocatello began construction for the East Oak Street Child Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project. This project was financed through a $250,000 grant from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council appointed by the Idaho Legislature. Improvements include new asphalt in the parking lot, new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, bulb-outs, curb ramps and driveway access points. Source: East Idaho News
- Valley Oil Company in Downey changed ownership as Terry and Michelle Jones retired after 41 years. Source East Idaho News
- Budget Furniture, a new furniture warehouse store, opened in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bear Lake County
- Bear Lake High School opened a new medical career course to introduce students to a variety of medical professions. The class has a schedule of two days in class and two days job shadowing at institutions like Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. Source: The News Examiner
- Tandoori Bistro opened in St. Charles, serving Indian Chinese fusion dishes. Source: The News Examiner
Bingham County
- Governor Brad Little visited the City of Shelley for the “Capital for a Day” event. Source: KPVI News
- Blackfoot’s Jensen Grove Lake was at a 25-year water level low. Source: Idaho State Journal
Caribou County
- Friends of the Soda Springs Park held a ceremony for the donors to the Maverik Caribou CommUNITY Playground. Donations amounting to $45,000 were raised by businesses and individuals to finance new shade covers for the playground equipment. The new shades will enhance the usability of park play equipment by shielding children from sun-related injuries, such as hot slides. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Caribou Kids, a new day care, opened in Soda Springs. Caribou Medical Center backed the venture in an effort to alleviate the child care needs of their own employees and the broader community. Source: Idaho State Journal
Franklin County
- The City of Preston has hired Brian Moss as the new class IV wastewater treatment operator at the Preston wastewater treatment plant. The plant is a level IV plant, meaning its complexity requires a level IV operator to run it as regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Source: The Preston Citizen
Onedia County
- The Legrande Aqua Plunge began its 2025 season with new dressing room stalls, lighting, wall panels and a new pergola. The structure was donated by BC Timbers and Hess Lumber and the other improvements were obtained through a grant from the Idaho Community Foundation. Source: The Idaho Enterprise
Power County
- A budget increase for the American Falls Rural Fire Department narrowly passed by a single vote. This initiative increased its levying capacity by $200,000. Source: KIFI News
- Bingham Ag Services donated $7,300 in food to the Willow Bay Food Bank. The food bank serves 200 families every month. Source: KIFI News
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional labor market information
Figure 1.| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in south central Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 66 | 38 |
| Retail salespersons | 46 | 45 |
| Registered nurses | 41 | 59 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 38 | 28 |
| Customer service representatives | 33 | 22 |
| Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand | 33 | 23 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 32 | 13 |
| Maintenance and repair workers, general | 21 | 14 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 20 | 8 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 19 | 19 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in south central Idaho | Postings, May-25 | Postings, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 205 | 135 |
| Health care and social assistance | 178 | 179 |
| Retail trade | 146 | 153 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 131 | 36 |
| Finance and insurance | 105 | 25 |
| Wholesale trade | 75 | 57 |
| Accommodation and food services | 71 | 40 |
| Educational services | 57 | 22 |
| Construction | 48 | 60 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 46 | 16 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
- Finance and insurance, professional services, transportation and warehousing job postings increased 320%, 264% and 188% respectively over the year. Construction and retail trade decreased 20% and 5% respectively.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in south central Idaho | Days to fill, May-25 | Days to fill, May-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Special education teachers, all other | 30 | 9 |
| Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education | 30 | N/A |
| Human resources specialists | 30 | N/A |
| Database architects | 30 | N/A |
| Meter readers, utilities | 30 | N/A |
| Stockers and order fillers | 28 | 5 |
| Airfield operations specialists | 25 | N/A |
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 24 | 6 |
| Architectural and civil drafters | 24 | N/A |
| Tank, car, truck and ship loaders | 23 | N/A |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Regional news
Blaine County
- Ketchum City Council has approved a $2.5 million purchase of an 11-unit property to be used as deed-restricted workforce housing. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
- Hailey nonprofit, Men’s Second Chance Living, has received $375,000 in grant funding to provide housing for men in addiction recovery. The grant funding will allow for an additional two-bedroom condominium. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Jerome County
- Jerome County Jail on the main floor of the old courthouse, has been torn out and renovated to provide office space for the Department of Motor Vehicles and handicap bathrooms. An additional 15 new parking spaces will be added. The project will be complete in the next six weeks. Source: KMVT
Twin Falls County
- Over $450,000 in donations have provided a new St. Lukes mobile health clinic. This mobile health clinic will help increase access to mammogram screenings, as Idaho is one of the states with the lowest rate of screenings. Source: KMVT
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY25 as part of the Workforce Information grant (40%) and state/nonfederal funds (60%) totaling $885,703.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.