Regional labor market information
Figure 1 denotes labor force estimates from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) had total employment decreasing and total unemployment increasing in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, September’s preliminary estimates had labor force participants decreasing by 782 people, with 819 fewer employed and 37 more unemployed. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5%, the same as August 2024 and 0.4 percentage points higher than September 2023.
Figure 1.| Southeastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | Sep-24 (P) | Aug-24 (R) | Sep-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 90,282 | 91,064 | 88,378 |
| Total employment | 87,092 | 87,911 | 85,620 |
| Unemployment | 3,190 | 3,153 | 2,758 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P - Preliminary, | R - Revised, | B - Benchmark |
There were 617 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area in September, up 10% from the prior month at 559, but down 14% over the year at 717. The median job posting duration was 12 days, down one day from August and up three days from September 2023. Looking at Figure 2, top occupational families by unique online job postings were health care, sales and retail, office administrative support and transportation. Among specific occupations, retail salespersons were at the top of the list with 36 postings, while nursing assistants were at the bottom with 9.
Figure 2.| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho, September 2024 | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 36 | 20 |
| Registered nurses | 32 | 35 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 17 | 9 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 16 | 18 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 13 | 11 |
| Secretaries, administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive | 10 | 10 |
| Customer service representatives | 10 | 14 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 9 | 12 |
| Nursing assistants | 9 | 9 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast. Data is not seasonally adjusted | ||
As seen in Figure 3, health care and social assistance, retail, manufacturing, public administration and educational services were at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in September. Looking at specific industries, there were large year-over-year increases; up 83% for gas stations with convenience stores, 127% for colleges and 120% for clothing accessory retailers.
Figure 3.| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho, September 2024 | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 96 | 73 |
| Colleges, universities and professional schools | 25 | 11 |
| Other general government support | 22 | 27 |
| Commercial and institutional building construction | 17 | 15 |
| Department stores | 16 | 19 |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | 16 | 14 |
| Frozen fruit, juice and vegetable manufacturing | 12 | 15 |
| Gasoline stations with convenience stores | 11 | 6 |
| Clothing and clothing accessories retailers | 11 | 5 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | 11 | 52 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast. Data is not seasonally adjusted. | ||
Figure 4 highlights industries that stood out in September for the median number of days an occupational job posting is listed. Stockers had the greatest duration with 21 days, followed by social service assistance with 20 days, inventory clerks with 19 days, and both human resources and biological scientists with 18 days each. Meanwhile, heavy and tractor-trailer truck driving was the top job for number of unique postings.
Figure 4.| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southeastern Idaho, September 2024 | Median duration, Sep-24 | Unique postings, Sep-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and order fillers | 21 | 4 |
| Social and human service assistants | 20 | 2 |
| Shipping, receiving and inventory clerks | 19 | 3 |
| Human resource assistants, except payroll and timekeeping | 18 | 1 |
| Biological scientists, all other | 18 | 1 |
| Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 17 | 1 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 16 | 17 |
| Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 16 | 7 |
| Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines | 16 | 2 |
| Cashiers | 15 | 7 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast. Data is not seasonally adjusted. | ||
Regional news
- The Fort Hall Fire Department hosted a groundbreaking for its new fire station. Source: Sho-Ban News
- Idaho firefighters battled three fires in Fort Hall, Bear Lake and Caribou counties. While there weren’t any evacuations, the fire risked damaging power lines and cell phone towers. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bannock County
- The National Institutes of Health awarded a $1.7 million grant to Idaho State University (ISU) to assist first-generation and low-income students. ISU has received over $18 million in donations in the 2024 fiscal year. Source: Idaho Business Review, KIFI News
- Tutor.com partnered with the Portneuf District Library in Pocatello to provide free tutoring for library card holders. Source: KIFI News
- The Portneuf Medical Center restored its air conditioning after a 10-day outage. After securing over 200 fans and 60 portable air conditioning units, only a few surgeries required rescheduling. Source: Idaho State Journal and East Idaho News
- The city of Chubbuck held its annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, M&M Contracting and Franklin Building Supply provided a new roof to a local Pocatello resident in need. Source: Idaho State Journal.
- The Pocatello City Council voted to approve Pocatello’s new tagline “The One and Only” and logo. Additionally, the city contracted HUB Collective to prepare a new style guide for use with nametags, vehicles, building signs and other official media. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello held its annual ghost tour to showcase the city’s Historic Downtown as well as raise funds for projects. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Pocatello became the first city in Idaho to receive Google Fiber service, giving residents another choice of internet provider. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Bannock County allocated $1 million for a fairgrounds exhibit hall in Downey, as well as $2 million for the creation of the Bannock County Youth Development Center. These funds are part of the COVID-19 pandemic’s American Rescue Plan Act, which has provided $17 million to the county. Source: Idaho State Journal
- In September, Bannock County median home prices remained stable compared to last month, decreasing 2% year-over-year to $411,200. Listing prices for 331 homes in inventory went up and spent a median of 64 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
- Business openings in the county include a trading card shop, Cardatello, Fifth Street Bagelry and a medieval weapons and armor shop, Swords and Sorcery.
Bear Lake County
- Bear Lake High School hosted its annual bonfire, a Student Life Committee initiative aimed at fostering a sense of belonging among students. Source: The News Examiner
- In September, Bear Lake County median home listing prices decreased 4% from last month but increased 33% year-over-year to $617,200. Listing prices for 72 homes in inventory dropped 3% and spent a median of 106 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
- Big Chubbs, a new catering business, opened in the city of Montpelier. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bingham County
- A fire burned 100 acres of farm and grassland south of Blackfoot on the Fort Hall Reservation. Source: KIFI News
- Aberdeen City Council awarded a $17.26 million construction bid to Star for a new water treatment plant. Source: The Aberdeen Times
- Glanbia Nutritionals donated 40 pounds of cheese to the Blackfoot Community Pantry and Outreach, valuing at $25,000. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Shelley opened a new veteran’s monument to replace an older damaged one. Source: KPVI News
- Blackfoot Blackhawk BBQ Pit was ranked 57th in the top 250 barbecue restaurants across the country by BetUs analytics, based on Google reviews. Source: Idaho State Journal
- In September, Bingham County median home listing prices decreased 1% from last month and 6% year-over-year to $444,500. Listing prices for 110 homes in inventory dropped 7% and spent a median of 64 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
- Cut N Run Hair Co. opened in Blackfoot. Source: Idaho State Journal
Caribou County
- The Soda Springs school board put a $50 million bond on the ballot to rebuild the high school citing problems with heating, ventilation and air conditioning, a cracked foundation, an unsafe parking lot and dated outdoor modular classrooms. Source: The News Examiner
- In September, Caribou County median home listing prices decreased 1% from last month but increased 20% year-over-year to $347,450. Listing prices for 37 homes in inventory remained steady and spent a median of 73 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Franklin County
- Preston City Council approved a project to improve the Preston Airport. Additionally, the council approved measures to rezone three parcels to allow more affordable housing units. Source: The Preston Citizen
- In September, Franklin County median home listing prices increased 4% from last month and 4% year-over-year to $514,000. Listing prices for 53 homes in inventory dropped 4% and spent a median of 73 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Oneida County
- Oneida Stake Academy received funding from the Delores Dore Eccles Foundation, Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, Laura Cunnigham Moore Foundation and Stokes Market to install a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and new gutters in the historical building. Source: The Preston Citizen
- In September, Oneida County median home listing prices decreased 18% from last month but increased 37% year-over-year to $422,450. Listing prices for 25 homes in inventory dropped 2% and spent a median of 58 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
- Valley View Counseling opened in the city of Malad. Source: The Idaho Enterprise
Power County
- In September, Power County median home listing prices increased 3% from last month and decreased 15% year-over-year to $389,000. Listing prices for 22 homes in inventory went up 13% and spent a median of 62 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Southeastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – September 2023 and 2024
| County | Median listing price | Month over month price change | Median days on the market | Pending sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | $411,200 | 0.0032 | 64 | 118 |
| Bear Lake | $617,200 | -0.0348 | 106 | 12 |
| Bingham | $444,500 | -0.012 | 64 | 51 |
| Caribou | $347,450 | -0.0073 | 73 | 11 |
| Franklin | $514,000 | 0.04 | 73 | 20 |
| Onedia | $422,450 | 0.1767 | 58 | 6 |
| Power | $389,000 | 0.0318 | 62 | 9 |
| Source: Realtor.com | ||||
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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