Regional labor market information
- Labor force estimates for November 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have both total employment and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, November’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 324 people, with 116 more employed people and 208 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region increased to 3.1% since last month and is 0.6 percentage points higher than November 2023.
| Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | Nov-24 (P) | Oct-24 (P) | Nov-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 133,100 | 132,776 | 129,487 |
| Total employment | 128,800 | 128,684 | 126,093 |
| Unemployment | 4,300 | 4,092 | 3,394 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.2 | 3.1 | 2.6 |
| P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked Source: Idaho Department of Labor |
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- There were an estimated 941 unique, deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for November 2024, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (This is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 941 postings are a 25% decrease from 1,259 the prior month, but a 2% increase from 922 year over year. Registered nurses remained the top occupation of unique job postings in the region for November. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings this month were merchandise displayers, software developers, maintenance repair workers, computer programmers and mental health counselors. Employer hiring demand based on quantity of job postings did not increase for any occupations since last month. Job postings decreased for all other carryover occupations from the month prior, including 52% for heavy truck drivers, 51% for retail salespersons and 20% for registered nurses.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, November 2024 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Registered nurses | 45 |
| Retail salespersons | 27 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 21 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 21 |
| Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers | 21 |
| Software developers | 19 |
| Customer service representatives | 19 |
| General maintenance and repair workers | 16 |
| Computer programmers | 15 |
| Mental health counselors | 12 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
- Finance and insurance replaced educational services in the top five of regional industries by quantity of job postings this month. Industry hiring demand by job postings increased over the month by 35% in finance and insurance and by 11% in public administration industries. Job postings decreased over the month by 45% in educational services, 41% in professional, scientific and technical services, 30% in waste management and remediation, 37% in construction, 20% in transportation and warehousing, 19% in wholesale trade and 16% in health care and social assistance industries.
| Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, November 2024 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 147 |
| Finance and insurance | 100 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 98 |
| Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services | 84 |
| Retail trade | 75 |
| Manufacturing | 62 |
| Wholesale trade | 50 |
| Construction | 40 |
| Educational services | 40 |
| Public administration | 36 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 20 |
| Accommodation and food services | 19 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
- November data on the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, include registered nurses, general and operations managers and project management specialists. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in November by occupational family were health care practitioners and technical and management. All occupations were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list, except accountants, general and operations managers and registered nurses.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, November 2024 | Days to fill | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 24 | 21 |
| Registered nurses | 23 | 45 |
| General and operations managers | 18 | 10 |
| Accountants and auditors | 18 | 9 |
| Cashiers | 17 | 9 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | 17 | 5 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 16 | 5 |
| Driver and sales workers | 13 | 12 |
| Retail salespersons | 9 | 27 |
| Physical therapists | 7 | 9 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Regional news
- According to Natural Resources Conservation Services mountain data from SNOTEL, the five runoff basins that comprise eastern Idaho have an average year-to-date snow water equivalent measuring 82% of median, but only 68% of median for average year-to-date precipitation. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services
- The U.S. Small Business Administration issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration to aid businesses impacted by wildfires, including the Bench Lake and Wapiti Fires that began July 11. This makes assistance available in Butte, Custer and Lemhi counties to offset economic losses. Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
- A new memorandum of understanding between Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Idaho State University begins collaborative research in critical and strategic minerals and materials, as well as environmental sustainability and security. This research involves the study and development of materials vital to technology and industrial processes that are also at risk of supply disruptions. Some of these critical minerals are mined in eastern Idaho. Environmental sustainability research will include carbon reduction, sequestration and storage technologies, digitization and artificial intelligence, geothermal energy, as well as spent fuel storage and disposition. Sources: INL and Post Register
- Allegiant Airlines is adding a new stop to Denver from Idaho Falls Regional Airport starting May 2025. Source: KIFI
Bonneville County
- Cielito Lindo, a new Mexican restaurant, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- The Christmas Caboose, an old train caboose present along a riverbank in Idaho Falls for decades, has been turned into a seasonal drive-thru treat shop. Source: East Idaho News
- Bumble and Bleat, a soap boutique, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
- A speakeasy called Soiled Dove opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- JB’s Soda Barn in Idaho Falls is permanently closing. Source: East Idaho News
- The city of Idaho Falls completed the entire citywide fiber network for residential use ahead of schedule. Installation teams invented technology and designed ground-boring equipment to minimize above-ground digging. Construction totaled $45 million. There are currently over 8,500 customers using the network and six service providers. On average there are 200-300 new installations per month. Source: City of Idaho Falls
- The four-acre Gem Prep Charter School lot in Ammon’s Bridgewater neighborhood was sold to Caliber Customs for construction of 17 townhomes. The zoning was previously designated as parks, schools and churches but is now zoned as residential. Source: Post Register
- The city of Idaho Falls accepted a $2.6 million bid to construct a new fire station on the north side of the city. Source: Post Register
- The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Kid to Kid, Idaho Falls Festival of Trees and Candy Cane Lane. 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
Custer County
- The Challis City Council went ahead with preliminary plat approval for the Centerra Park subdivision to develop 14 new single-family homes for workers employed at Thompson Creek Mine. The single large lot owned by Thompson Creek will be subdivided into quarter to a half-acre lots and sold. Source: Challis Messenger
- A 10-year federal permit was issued to Electra, a mining company in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, for 91 copper and cobalt locations and hundreds of potential drill targets, strengthening domestic critical mineral production needed for electric vehicle batteries. Source: Challis Messenger
Fremont County
- Fremont County Joint School District 251 has announced upgrades to career technical education classrooms and a new greenhouse to support culinary arts, big game processing, agricultural education, industrial technology and management programs. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
- The city of Ashton approved a new city code officially allowing for short-term rentals in residential areas with initial and annual registration fees. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
Jefferson County
- The former business owners of Thrifty Nickel, which shuttered in September, opened a new establishment called Innovative Ink, a printshop in Menan. Source: East Idaho News
- Mountain Top Print Shop, a custom printing business, opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
- Sweet Swirls ice cream shop opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
- Post Holdings, Inc., a St. Louis firm, is acquiring Rigby-based Potato Products of Idaho LLC who employ 163 workers to manufacture, and package refrigerated and frozen potato products. Source: Post Holdings press release
- Kelly Canyon ski resort opened for the season. They now boast three snowmaking guns, new power and a retention pond. They have also installed a new triple-seat chair lift. Their 10-year plan includes new lodging, another ski lift, zip lines and a mountain coaster. Source: Post Register
Madison County
- Links Indoor Golf opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
- Rexburg city council approved the Adara at Teton Lakes subdivision plat. The development is 62 acres and will contain 157 building lots. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
Teton County
- The Idaho Supreme Court ruled in favor of Teton Creek Resort, LLC in their case with Teton County, allowing the resort to move forward with plans to record its condominium plat and obtain necessary building permits. Source: Teton Valley News
Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – November 2023 and 2024
Figure 5.| Median price sold | Nov-24 | Nov-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | $445,000 | $417,450 | 6.6% |
| Butte | $192,500 | $258,000 | -25.4% |
| Clark | $245,000 | $212,500 | 15.3% |
| Custer | $499,950 | $625,000 | -20.0% |
| Fremont | $750,000 | $687,000 | 9.2% |
| Jefferson | $525,000 | $516,250 | 1.7% |
| Lemhi | $555,000 | $665,500 | -16.6% |
| Madison | $399,000 | $399,000 | 0% |
| Teton | $995,000 | $818,500 | 21.6% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | |||
| Active listings (inventory) | Nov-24 | Nov-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 397 | 340 | 16.8% |
| Butte | 16 | 23 | -30.4% |
| Clark | 1 | 2 | -50.0% |
| Custer | 46 | 31 | 48.4% |
| Fremont | 114 | 101 | 12.9% |
| Jefferson | 106 | 85 | 24.7% |
| Lemhi | 53 | 44 | 20.5% |
| Madison | 95 | 95 | 0% |
| Teton | 137 | 102 | 32.4% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | #Colspan# | #Colspan# | #Colspan# |
| Median days on market | Nov-24 | Nov-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 57 | 47 | 21.3% |
| Butte | 108 | 84 | 28.6% |
| Clark | 16 | 75 | -78.7% |
| Custer | 97 | 101 | -4.0% |
| Fremont | 116 | 92 | 26.1% |
| Jefferson | 73 | 68 | 7.4% |
| Lemhi | 99 | 108 | -8.3% |
| Madison | 80 | 80 | 0% |
| Teton | 117 | 94 | 24.5% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | #Colspan# | #Colspan# | #Colspan# |
| Total homes pending sale | Nov-24 | Nov-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 167 | 145 | 15.2% |
| Butte | 3 | 3 | 0% |
| Clark | 1 | 2 | -50.0% |
| Custer | 6 | 4 | 50.0% |
| Fremont | 30 | 20 | 50.0% |
| Jefferson | 39 | 38 | 2.6% |
| Lemhi | 12 | 4 | 200.0% |
| Madison | 31 | 31 | 0% |
| Teton | 54 | 40 | 35.0% |
| 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.
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