Region
Labor force estimates for August 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have total employment and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, August’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 352 people, with 333 more employed people and 19 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region remained at 3.1%, the same as June 2024, and 0.4 percentage points higher than July 2023.
Figure 1.
Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data Aug-24 (P) Jul-24 (P) Aug-23 (B)
Civilian labor force 132,539 132,187 128,928
Total employment 128,375 128,042 125,499
Unemployment 4,164 4,145 3,429
% of labor force unemployed 3.1 3.1 2.7
P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked
Source: Idaho Department of Labor
There were an estimated 1,457 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for August 2024, according to the Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (Note, this is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data). The 1,457 postings are a 29% increase from 1,040 the prior month and a 3% decrease from 1,506 year over year. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists were the top occupation of unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region this month. Also new to the top five occupations by quantity of job postings this month were merchandise displayers and window trimmers. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, physical and respiratory therapists, and secretaries and administrative assistants were new to the August top 10 list. Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective increased 8% for customer service representatives, 10% for registered nurses, 35% for heavy truck drivers and 32% for retail supervisors. Conversely, job postings decreased 2% for retail salespersons.
Figure 2.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, August 2024 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Magnetic resonance imaging technologists | 133 |
| Registered nurses | 61 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 52 |
| Retail salespersons | 42 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 33 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 31 |
| Customer service representatives | 25 |
| Physical therapists | 18 |
| Respiratory therapists | 18 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive. | 18 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
Professional, scientific and technical services replaced retail trade at the top of eastern Idaho region rankings for industries by unique job postings in August. Education services replaced construction in the top five of industries by quantity of job postings this month. Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective increased over the month by 16% in health care and social assistance, 40% in professional and scientific and technical services, 10% in manufacturing and 27% in public administration industries. Conversely, job postings decreased over the month by 22% in construction, 4% in manufacturing, 9% in public administration, 65% in education services, 53% in finance and insurance and 120% in transportation and material handling industries.
Figure 3.
| Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, August 2024 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 179 |
| Retail trade | 150 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 148 |
| Education services | 62 |
| Manufacturing | 58 |
| Construction | 37 |
| Public administration | 35 |
| Finance and insurance | 32 |
| Accommodation and food services | 24 |
| Other services | 13 |
| Transportation and material handling | 12 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
August data from the Conference Board denotes the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, in terms of combination of time to fill (median job posting duration) and multiple unique job postings. These include physicians, retail salespersons, magnetic resonance imaging technologists, customer service representatives and secretaries and administrative assistants. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in August by occupational family were health care and support, and sales and related. All occupations except retail salespersons and secretaries and administrative assistants were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list.
Figure 4.
| Top 10 hardest-to fill occupations in eastern Idaho, August 2024 | Days to Fill | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, all other | 21 | 9 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeepers | 19 | 8 |
| Forest and conservation technicians | 18 | 7 |
| Retail salespersons | 16 | 42 |
| Construction laborers | 16 | 11 |
| Magnetic resonance imaging technologists | 15 | 133 |
| Customer service representatives | 15 | 25 |
| Maintenance and repair workers, general | 15 | 12 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants, except Legal, medical, and executive | 14 | 18 |
| Personal care aides | 14 | 9 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Region News
- Brad Little and the legislature pledged $10 million toward the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, in addition to the $30 million they already funded for recharging and projects to improve the water supply. Source: Idaho Business Review
- Progressive Irrigation District and Eastern Snake Aquifer stakeholders held a ribbon cutting, officially opening the Southfork Aquifer Recharge Basin. Source: Post Register
- In 2023, 770,000 National Park Service visitors spent an estimated $44 million in local gateway regions while visiting Idaho, including Craters of the Moon National Monument and Yellowstone National Park. It supported a total of 622 jobs, $19 million in labor income, $31.7 million in value added and $59.8 million in economic output to the Idaho economy. Source: National Park Service
- College of Eastern Idaho year-over-year fall enrollment increased 10.6%. Multiple credit programs are full, for focuses like health physics, medical assistance and surgical technology. There are 520 new students in trades programs, an increase of 9% from last fall. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical apprenticeships are also full. The college’s workforce division was the largest in the state, with 14,460 enrollments last year. Source: College of Eastern Idaho
- The BYU-Idaho University freshman class this year is the largest in school history at around 5,600 students. Source: BYU-Idaho University
- About 12 miles of the Middle Fork Salmon River trail inside the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness was opened for public access after damage from the 2021 Boundary Fire. Workers from the Idaho Trails Association and Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation repaired washouts, cut trees, cleared vegetation and moved rock. Funding for the project came from a Legacy Trails grant. Source: Challis Messenger
- Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls now has a third helicopter pad for Air Idaho Rescue’s airlifted trauma patients. Source: East Idaho News
- The Idaho Water Resource Board approved $4.7 million in aging infrastructure grants for projects in the region involving irrigation water storage, delivery, drainage or treatment. Source: Idaho Capital Press
- The Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant program awarded over $1.9 million for the region in tourism marketing grants to non-profit organizations to promote cities, towns and regions of the state as travel destinations. Yellowstone Teton Territory received $1.7 million, Lemhi County Economic Development Association received $41,000, Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce received $162,103 and Challis Chamber of Commerce received $25,000. Source: Idaho Department of Commerce
Bonneville County
- Megpies, a bakery, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- A power washing company, 208 Power Crew, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- Xhale Resort & Spa opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- Merry Maids cleaning service opened in Ammon. Source: East Idaho News
- The Bonneville County Library District opened a new public library in Ucon. Source: East Idaho News
- Autism Living Experience of Idaho, LLC, an establishment from Maryland, leased new office space in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Business Review
- The Idaho Falls city council passed a memorandum of understanding to negotiate an agreement with Aalo Holdings Inc. for housing a nuclear microreactor near a future peaking plant, a natural gas power plant that can help handle occasions of high-power demand. The agreement is to deploy seven commercial Aalo-1 reactors by 2030. Idaho National Laboratory’s MARVEL microreactor is being developed for such projects. Source: Post Register and East Idaho News
- The Idaho Falls city council piloted a new kind of energy use agreement with Orchard Park Apartments to lower tenants’ power bills and city utility demand. The city buys excess power from the neighborhood’s array of solar panels and battery banks. Source: Post Register
- YMCA’s Early Learning Center opened at Idaho State University Bennion Building in Idaho Falls. It was made possible through a $200,000 grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Source: East Idaho News
- A national firm, LL Flooring, is going out of business. Idaho Falls is one of their 200 stores to shutter. Source: CNN
- Idaho Career Ready Students council awarded a $45,171 career technical program grant to Idaho Falls School District to make upgrades to the existing agricultural science program at Skyline High School. Source: Idaho Education News
- Bonneville School District 93 broke ground on the new Willow Creek Elementary School near Iona. Source: Bonneville District 93
- White Pine Charter School in Ammon held a ribbon cutting. The new school features a technical space. Their secondary school adjacent to the elementary school will close. Source: KIFI
- Ammon Elementary School cafeteria construction is under way. Source: Bonneville District 93
- As part of $430 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding for hydropower facilities, Idaho Falls will receive $237,000 for the upper development of the Idaho Falls hydroelectric project. Source: KIFI
- Idaho Falls Farmers Market will hold their Winter Market from November to April at the Snake River Event Center. Source: East Idaho News
- The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Empire Home Loans, Box-n-Lock Storage, Revive Aesthetics and Wellness, Eastern Idaho Homebuilders Association and Merry Maids. 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
- The Bonneville County median home prices in August decreased 1% to $470,000 from last month but increased 6% over the year. The county increased 5% month over month and 16% year over year with 390 active home listings. Median days on the market increased by three days to 46. There were 6% fewer new listings over the month. Listing prices for 176 homes in inventory reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Butte County
- Construction on Idaho National Laboratory’s 49,000-square-foot Sample Preparation Laboratory was completed ahead of schedule and will begin operation in 2025. This is the first hot cell facility built at the site in 49 years. Source: East Idaho News
- As part of $430 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding for hydropower facilities, Dry Creek Hydro, a county hydroelectric company, will receive $241,500. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
- Butte County median home prices in August decreased 14% to $245,000 over the month and 9% over the year. The county decreased 6% month-over-month and 27% year-over-year with 15 active home listings. Median days on the market decreased by two days to 59. There were 100% fewer new listings than the month prior. Listing prices for eight homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Clark County
- Clark County median home listing prices in August decreased 5% from last month to $240,000 and 4% over the year. The county decreased 50% in active home listings month over month and experienced no change over the year. Median days on the market increased by 33 days to 162. There was no data reported for new listings. Listing prices for two homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Custer County
- The lightning-caused Wapiti wildfire that started July 24 in the Sawtooth and Salmon-Challis National Forests has grown to 125,000 acres and is 71% contained, with 1,400 personnel. An evacuation order was issued for Stanley and other communities. Source: KIFI and KMVT
- Challis City Council voted to annex 24 acres into the city as a 53-lot residential development at Round Valley Park. Thompson Creek Mining owns the undeveloped land as a step to restarting the molybdenum mine and potentially providing housing to incoming employees. Source: Challis Messenger
- Custer County median home prices in August decreased 6% to $535,000 over the month but increased 7% year over year. The county increased 8% month-over-month and 41% year over year with 45 active home listings. Median days on the market decreased by 11 days to 81. New listings were down 67% over the month. Listings prices for eight homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Fremont County
- As part of $430 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding for hydropower facilities, Fall River Electric will receive $2.5 million each for energy storage at Chester and Island Park Hydroelectric Facilities. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
- Fremont County median home prices in August remained at $677,300 over the month but decreased 3% over the year. The county decreased 3% month over month but increased 48% year over year with 165 active home listings. Median days on the market increased by 11 days to 73. New listings decreased 33% over the month. There were 9% fewer homes in inventory, at 48, that reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Jefferson County
- A preschool, Purposeful Play School, opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
- An airsoft gun store and shooting range, Advantage Airsoft, opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
- Idaho Dart Arena, a Nerf gun family fun center, opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
- Rigby City Council approved a 15-unit Planned Unit Development plat of seven twin-home lots and one single family lot. Source: Jefferson Star
- 24 acres of commercial space belonging to Pacific Holdings has been annexed into Rigby. Source: Jefferson Star
- Rigby Urban Renewal Agency closed on the Northern States Development property downtown. The agency spent over $500,000 on the project, including additional parking. Source: Jefferson Star
- Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved an emergency medical service contract with Central Fire District for $319,000, which will mostly cover salaries and equipment. Source: Jefferson Star
- Jefferson County Lake revenue increased over 20% with 57% more visitors than last year. Planned construction of shelters on the island at the lake are projected to increase revenue. Source: Jefferson Star
- Jefferson County median home prices in August decreased 7% over the month to $525,000 and 5% over the year. The county increased 24% month over month and 4% year over year with 102 active home listings. Median days on the market increased five days to 45. New listings decreased 14% from the month prior. Listing prices for 40 homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Lemhi County
- A second foreign company, Electra Battery Materials, has received $20 million from the U.S. Department of Defense for exploring cobalt in the county. Jervois was the first company to receive federal funding. LG Energy Solution has already committed to purchasing up to 80% of capacity of the mine during the first five years and other buyers are competing for the other 20%. Source: Challis Messenger
- The new 6.5-acre Johnson Pond opened eight miles south of Salmon, becoming the largest community fishing pond in the area. Source: Challis Messenger
- Lemhi County median home prices in August decreased 4% to $612,000 month-over-month and 16% over the year. The county increased 11% with 57 active home listings month over month and 11% year over year. Median days on the market increased 11 days to 71. New listings were up 67% over the month. Listings prices for 12 homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Madison County
- Subitt, a digital establishment that consolidates services and products subscriptions, opened in Rexburg. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
- AMET Inc., a custom automated welding establishment in Rexburg, was awarded a $3,000 State Trade Expansion Program grant. Source: Idaho Department of Commerce
- A new non-profit, Teton River Arts and Commerce, started in Rexburg to enhance community arts options, giving artists a way to share their talents and help businesses network with potential clients. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
- An annual car raffle at Madison High School, sponsored by Stone’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram & Toyota, raised $355,000 for student support programs. Source: East Idaho News
- Madison County median home prices in August decreased 7% to $399,900 over the month and 4% over the year. The county increased 4% month over month and 27% year over year with 112 active home listings. Median days on the market increased by 10 days to 63. New listings decreased 11% over the month. Listing prices for 40 homes reduced their listing prices over the month. Source: Realtor.com
Teton County
- Community Foundation of Teton Valley’s 17th annual Tin Cup Challenge raised $3.4 million for local nonprofits — 19% more than last year. Source: Teton Valley News
- As part of $430 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding for hydropower facilities, Fall River Electric will receive $3.3 million for recreational access and energy storage to Felt Hydroelectric Facility. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
- The City of Driggs was awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant and a $31,500 Idaho Gem Grant. Source: Idaho Department of Commerce
- Teton County was awarded a $30,000 Rural Economic Development Professional Grant. Source: Idaho Department of Commerce
- Wydaho Roasters Coffee House in Driggs is expanding to an additional location, which will also offer a new ice cream parlor and bakery. Source: Teton Valley News
- Teton High School now offers an aviation course, only the second school in the state to have this program. Students also have the opportunity to join Civil Air Patrol where three students qualify for $12,000 scholarships to pursue a private pilot’s license. Source: Teton Valley News
- City of Driggs Public Works has begun the process of building a new gallery for the city’s spring to capture more water. Six city wells supplement the water supply from two springs with high-use summer irrigation. Source: Teton Valley News
- Teton County median home prices in August increased 18% to $881,750 month over month, but decreased 9% year over year. The county increased 11% month over month and 15% year over year with 158 active home listings. Median days on the market increased by 31 days to 73. New listings decreased 20% from the month prior. Listing prices for 28 homes reduced over the month. Source: Realtor.com
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of the Workforce Information grant (48%) and state/nonfederal (52%) totaling $704,259.
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