Region
- Labor demand in northern Idaho remained stable in July, 2024, with a total of 2,043 unique job postings in the region – a slight uptick from 1,872 in June. The unemployment rate rose slightly in July from 4.6% to 4.8%, increasing by a full percentage point from July 2023. Overall, total employment has decreased slightly over the last year.
| Northern Idaho seasonally adjusted data | July-24 (P) | June-24 (R) | July-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 127,432 | 126,665 | 126,184 |
| Total employment | 121,310 | 120,822 | 121,383 |
| Unemployment | 6,122 | 5,843 | 4,801 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 4.8% | 4.6% | 3.8% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho, July 2024 | Postings, July-24 | Postings, July-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 85 | 100 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 77 | 33 |
| Registered nurses | 72 | 119 |
| Customer service representatives | 47 | 48 |
| Unclassified occupation | 47 | 55 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 43 | 22 |
| Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand | 34 | 47 |
| Janitors, cleaners, except maids and housekeepers | 33 | 21 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 32 | 65 |
| Food service managers | 30 | 21 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 industries by job unique postings in northern Idaho, June 2024 | Postings, July-24 | Postings, July-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 318 | 288 |
| Retail trade | 266 | 301 |
| Administrative and support services | 172 | 202 |
| Accommodation and food services | 126 | 151 |
| Wholesale trade | 92 | 108 |
| Finance and insurance | 79 | 125 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 76 | 83 |
| Manufacturing | 68 | 132 |
| Educational services | 67 | 61 |
| Other services | 56 | 48 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho, June 2024 | Median duration, July-24 | Median duration, July-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Crane and tower operators | 30 | N/A |
| Carpenters | 28 | N/A |
| Medical records specialists | 28 | N/A |
| Surveyors | 28 | N/A |
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 28 | N/A |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | 28 | 19 |
| Helpers in installation, maintenance and repair workers | 26 | N/A |
| Accountants and auditors | 25 | N/A |
| Demonstrators and product promoters | 22 | N/A |
| Home health and personal care aides | 21 | 10 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Region News
- An International Joint Commission comprising both American and Canadian officials will conduct a study evaluating contamination in the Kootenai River, which flows across the Idaho-Canada border and runs through Bonner’s Ferry in Boundary County. The study relates to concerns raised by Native American tribes and environmental groups, including the Kootenai Tribe, which has seen rising selenium levels in the river threaten fish stocks. Pollution in the river is suspected to originate from coal mines in British Columbia’s Elk Valley. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
Kootenai County
- Stratford Building Corp., based in Rathdrum, has launched a new product line of modular homes. Dubbed the “Living Small” brand, the new line provides a flexible assortment of modular spaces which provide for multiple floorplans ranging from 450 to 840 square feet. The component buildings are constructed in Stratford’s Rathdrum facility and can be completed in between four and six weeks. Stratford offers the modular “tiny homes” as an innovative way to increase housing stock without putting additional pressure on land development. Source: Journal of Business
- Development has begun on a new $20 million retail center in Post Falls. The new development, to be named North Point Plaza, currently has five available lots, with a 7-11 and an anchor Grocery Outlet store under construction. Source: Journal of Business
- Post Falls ER & Hospital has opened in Post Falls, providing emergency and trauma care with ambulance services through Kootenai County Emergency Medical Service and American Medical Response. The 21,000 square foot facility includes five inpatient beds, 12 emergency room beds and will employ 14 physicians and 50 support staff. Source: Journal of Business
- Northwest Surgery Center opened a new outpatient surgery center in Post Falls. Operating in partnership with Northwest Specialty Hospital, the 9,000 square foot facility will focus on ambulatory procedures including orthopedic and spinal operations. Source: the Coeur d’Alene Press
Openings
- Konala (Coeur d’Alene)
- DOMA Coffee (Coeur d’Alene)
- Spero Naturopathic Medicine (Coeur d’Alene)
- ARG Industrial (Hayden)
- Big Toys Condos (Sandpoint)
- T-Mobile (Sandpoint)
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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