Regional labor market information
- Labor force estimates for December 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics had civilian labor force, total employment and total unemployment increasing in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, December’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 8.5%, with 8.2% more employed people and 1.7% more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.7%, with no change from November 2024 and 0.5% higher than December 2023.
| Southeastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | Dec-24 (P) | Nov-24 (R) | Dec-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 91,952 | 91,175 | 88,362 |
| Total employment | 88,507 | 87,787 | 85,561 |
| Unemployment | 3,445 | 3,388 | 2,801 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.2% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
- In December 2024, there were 1,150 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, which decreased 12.9% from the prior month at 1,320 and 11.4% over the year at 1,298. The median job posting duration was 31 days, the same as November and increased one day from December 2023.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho | Postings, Dec-24 | Postings, Dec-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers, laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse | 19 | 0 |
| Retail salespersons | 18 | 18 |
| Registered nurses | 15 | 32 |
| Heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers | 12 | 13 |
| Production workers and all other | 10 | 7 |
| Nursing assistants | 9 | 6 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 9 | 3 |
| Civil engineers | 8 | 2 |
| Tellers | 7 | 0 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 6 | 12 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho for December were health care, sales and related and office administrative support occupations. Among specific occupations, farmworkers and greenhouse workers were at the top of the list with 19 unique online postings, followed by retail salespersons (19), registered nurses (15), civil engineers (8) and tellers (7).
| Top industries by job unique postings in southeastern Idaho | Postings, Dec-24 | Postings, Dec-23 |
|---|---|---|
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 50 | 47 |
| District health and medical insurance carriers | 16 | 13 |
| Other general government support | 15 | 10 |
| Supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) | 12 | 8 |
| Colleges, universities and professional schools | 11 | 20 |
| Frozen fruit, juice and vegetable manufacturing | 8 | 22 |
| Dried and dehydrated food manufacturing | 8 | 6 |
| Other snack food manufacturing | 7 | 10 |
| Cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume retailers | 6 | 3 |
| Gasoline stations with convenience stores | 6 | 4 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Health care and social assistance, retail, manufacturing, finance and professional services are again at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in December. These top unique job postings were similar to December 2023: cosmetics increased by 100% and there was a 50% increase in government support, supermarkets and gas stations. Among postings with a decrease, there was a 64% drop in frozen fruit juice and vegetable manufacturing postings since last year.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southeastern Idaho | Median duration, Dec-24 | Unique postings, Dec-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Tellers | 23 | 7 |
| First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers | 21 | 4 |
| Security guards | 18 | 2 |
| Transportation, storage and distribution managers | 18 | 1 |
| Cardiologists | 18 | 1 |
| General and operations managers | 17 | 1 |
| Heating, air, conditioning, refrigeration mechanics and installers | 17 | 2 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 16 | 10 |
| Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services and travel | 16 | 1 |
| Purchasing managers | 16 | 1 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
- Based on the hiring challenges by median number of days an occupational job posting is listed, office and administrative support occupations stood out in December, including tellers (23 days) and first-line supervisors of office workers (21 days). Tellers also just barely made the list of the most in demand occupations.
| County housing data, December 2024 | Median listing price | Month over month price change | Median days on the market | Active listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bannock | $390,000 | -1.24% | 75 | 303 |
| Bear Lake | $575,900 | -0.54% | 121 | 51 |
| Bingham | $398,750 | -4.20% | 70 | 122 |
| Caribou | $405,000 | 14.08% | 96 | 23 |
| Franklin | $488,250 | -14.27% | 84 | 38 |
| Oneida | $452,000 | 1.70% | 138 | 18 |
| Power | $379,000 | -2.57% | 103 | 19 |
| Source: Realtor.com Economic Research | ||||
- There was some negative price movement in December in most counties while there was a large increase in Caribou County and a large decrease in Franklin. The county with the longest median time on the market was Oneida County at 138 days. Power County had the lowest median listing price in the region while Bingham was the hottest with the lowest median of 70 days on the market, an increase from 52 days as moves slowed due to the holidays.
Regional news
Bannock County
- Pocatello Police announced its acquisition of $102,000 in license plate readers from Flock Safety to be installed around the city. The readers will capture license plate numbers and vehicle information to aid in investigations such as robbery, murder, theft and missing persons. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center opened for the season. Activities include skiing and snowshoeing. Source: KIFI News
- Blades Salon and Spa in Pocatello held a fundraiser assisting a salon employee to finance the adoption of her niece. Around one third of the $3,000 required was raised. Source: KIFI News
- The Pocatello Naval Ordinance Plant is being converted to Idaho’s largest indoor soccer field. Source: East Idaho News
- Summit Commercial Real Estate of Boise announced their client, Raising Canes, is poised to open a new restaurant in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Pocatello Car Club achieved nonprofit status and now seeks to construct motorsport complexes in Pocatello. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Tender Loving Childcare, a nonprofit daycare in Pocatello, is seeking community donations after it was almost closed due to lack of funding. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Lava Hot Springs Senior center is seeking funds ahead of its 90th birthday in 2026. Rocky Mountain Power presented a $4,500 grant for new windows. Source: KIFI News
- The Pocatello-Chubbuck School District held a public hearing to discuss declining enrollment and the potential of school closures. The district voted to close Washington Elementary on Jan. 21. Source: KIFI News, Idaho State Journal
- Idaho State University received a $415,000 grant for genetic disorder research such as 3MC Syndrome. Source: ISU News
- The third annual Pike Fest was held at Zoo Idaho in Pocatello. Visitors enjoyed cider and beer as the animals relaxed for a winter nap. Funds from the event will go towards the animals and facilities. Source: KIFI News, KPVI News
- The 18th annual Sportsmen Against Hunger event was held at the C-A-L Ranch Chubbuck. Last year, the event raised over $3,000 for the Idaho Foodbank. Source: Idaho Fish and Game
- The U.S. Department of Education provided a $4.5 million grant to Idaho State University to provide financial assistance to psychology majors. Source: East Idaho News
- Big Lots in Pocatello closed. Source: East Idaho News
Bear Lake County
- The cellphone ban, by the Bear Lake School District in 2024, has resulted in staff reporting mental health and socialization improvements among students. Interviewed students were of mixed opinion saying art classes are more difficult without image references from their phones while others reported improved mental health and focus. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Bear Lake Furniture Company, in Montpelier city, was purchased by Azdyn Bartschi and his wife, Daesha. They plan to shorten the name to just Bear Lake Furniture and extend the business hours to be regular instead of appointment only. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bingham County
- The Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission met to hear arguments for a conditional permit to begin gravel mining. Source: KIFI News
- The Blackfoot Animal Shelter and Rescue received a $100,000 grant from the Shoshone Bannock tribes. Source: KPVI News
Caribou County
- The Bureau of Land Management sought public opinion on the new proposed Caldwell Canyon Phosphate Mine. The revised proposal comes after a federal judge blocked the previous deal citing concerns about sage grouse and violating the National Environmental Policy Act. Source: Bureau of Land Management, Center for Biological Diversity
- The Caribou Medical Center in the city of Soda Springs held a baby expo to showcase the hospital’s maternity wing remodel and to hold classes for expectant mothers. Source: The News Examiner
- Kaylee Peck of Soda Springs opened a new equine insurance firm. Source: The News Examiner
Franklin County
- The town of Oxford was disincorporated into Franklin County. The 40 residents of the town had struggled to fill city council positions, plough roads and grappled with the lack of sewer and water supply. Residents hope this move will help to manage and preserve the small but historic town. Source: The Preston Citizen
Oneida County
- The new Malad Elementary School opened its doors in January. This opened a new chapter for the city, as the old elementary is slated for demolition. Source: The Idaho Enterprise
Power County
- The Power County Youth Center celebrated its history and discussed its future. They are seeking donations and community support to find a permanent location, as they have been renting the basement of the United Methodist Church. Source: Idaho State Journal
- A new online business, Rugged Peach Workwear based in American Falls, offers high visibility safety shirts for pregnant women in manufacturing. Source: East Idaho 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.
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