Region
Labor force estimates for August 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics had both total employment and total unemployment increasing slightly in the seven-county southeastern region. Seasonally adjusted, August’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 112 people, with 131 more employed people and 19 fewer unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.5%, the same as July 2024 and 0.4% higher than August 2023.
| Southeastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | Aug-24 (P) | Jul-24 (R) | Aug-24 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 91,202 | 91,090 | 87,962 |
| Total employment | 88,046 | 87,915 | 85,244 |
| Unemployment | 3,156 | 3,175 | 2,718 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, | R – Revised, | B – Benchmark |
In August 2024, there were 530 unique online job postings in the southeastern Idaho labor market area, which decreased 26% from the prior month at 718 and 24% over the year at 695. The median job posting duration was 12 days, down one day from July and down two days from August 2023.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho, August 2024 | Postings, Aug-24 | Postings, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 24 | 25 |
| Registered nurses | 24 | 60 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 21 | 23 |
| Teaching assistants, except postsecondary | 20 | 1 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 18 | 12 |
| Secretaries, administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive | 15 | 13 |
| Nursing assistants | 15 | 10 |
| General and operations managers | 9 | 6 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 9 | 8 |
| Sales managers | 8 | 4 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast. Data is not seasonally adjusted | ||
The top occupational families by unique online job postings in southeastern Idaho for August were health care practitioners and technical, sales and retail, transportation and material moving, and office and administrative support. Among specific occupations, retail salespersons are at the top of the list with 24 unique online postings, followed by registered nurses (24), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (21), teaching assistants (20) and retail first-line supervisors (18).
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in southeastern Idaho, August 2024 | Postings, Aug-24 | Postings, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 81 | 92 |
| Elementary and secondary schools | 35 | 4 |
| Colleges, universities and professional schools | 31 | 21 |
| Commercial and institutional building construction | 18 | 17 |
| Administration of conservation programs | 14 | 2 |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | 12 | 35 |
| Frozen fruit, juice and vegetable manufacturing | 10 | 17 |
| Supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) | 10 | 6 |
| Assisted living facilities for the elderly | 10 | 1 |
| Other general government support | 10 | 11 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast. Data is not seasonally adjusted. | ||
Health care and social assistance, retail, education services, manufacturing and public administration were at the top of broadly defined industries by unique online job postings in August. Looking at specific industries, medical and surgical hospitals once again had the most unique job postings but decreased year over year by 12%. There were large year-over-year increases in other elementary and secondary schools (775%), administration of conservation programs (600%) and assisted living facilities for the elderly (900%).
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in southeastern Idaho, August 2024 | Median duration, Aug-24 | Unique postings, Aug-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational therapy assistants | 28 | 2 |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 25 | 3 |
| Self-enrichment teachers | 25 | 1 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 24 | 7 |
| Teaching assistants, except postsecondary | 24 | 20 |
| Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 24 | 8 |
| Industrial production managers | 24 | 1 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | 24 | 1 |
| Library assistants and clerical | 24 | 1 |
| Food processing workers and all other | 24 | 1 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast. Data is not seasonally adjusted. | ||
Based on the hiring challenges by median number of days an occupational job posting is listed, the building and grounds cleaning and health care industries stood out in August, including occupational therapy assistants (28 days), landscaping and groundskeeping workers (25 days), self-enrichment teachers (25 days), home health and personal care aides (24 days) and teaching assistants (24 days). Teaching assistants were also in the top 10 jobs for number of unique postings.
Region News
- Gov. Brad Little visited the City of Pocatello for a ribbon cutting to inaugurate the new facility called The Village. The Village is a new behavioral health center for juveniles and their families. Governor Little also gave a speech at Idaho State University to showcase the state’s post COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery, the Idaho LAUNCH initiative to provide grants to students and Idaho’s low rate of homelessness. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The 59th annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival was held, hosting events like an arts and crafts booth, fun run, royalty competition, art show, powwow and parade. Source: Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
- The Idaho Transportation Department began construction on Interstate 15 to widen it to three lanes between Fort Hall and Northgate. The project is expected to be completed in 2027. Source: Idaho State Journal
Bannock County
- Pocatello’s annual Greek Festival showcased a new kitchen in the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Source: East Idaho News.
- The Pocatello City Council approved $500,000 for a new skate park to be located at Optimist Park on North Seventh Avenue. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Crews resumed work on the Center Street underpass in Pocatello after resolving a permit dispute. Source: KIFI News
- Pocatello was selected to receive a $16 million dollar grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to improve local parks and assist in community development. Source: KIFI News
- The Ross Park Aquatic Complex closed briefly after a pipe burst that caused electrical damage to the facility. This comes after the facility also opened a new water slide. Source: KIFI News
- Owner of Confections Bakery, Nathan Chandler, was awarded $100,000 from a Netflix cooking show for his cheesecake. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Sanitation icon, Don Aslett, passed away. He was the founder of Varsity House Cleaning, the Clean World Foundation and the Museum of Clean in Pocatello. Source: KIFI News, KPVI News
- The Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Idaho, located in Pocatello, raised $88,000 dollars for after school activities and programs. Source: KPVI News
- Bannock County median home prices in August decreased 2% from last month and 3% year over year at $409,900. Listing prices for 329 homes increased by 0.15% in August and spent a median of 57 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
- Openings include a Dutch Bros., TuMi (a Peru-Korean fusion food truck) and White Owl Books.
Bear Lake County
- The Minnetonka Cave closed for renovations to its parking lot. Source: Idaho State Journal
- Bear Lake County median home listing prices decreased 12% since last month but increased 45% year over year at $639,450. Listing prices for 74 homes decreased by 3% in August and spent a median of 104 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Bingham County
- Blackfoot finished its new elementary school, Riverbend Elementary. This was part of a $23.9 million dollar bond approved in 2021. Source: Idaho State Journal
- The East Idaho State Fair was held in Blackfoot. The fair set a new record at 254,209 attendees, surpassing their last 2022 record Source: Idaho State Journal
- Bingham County median home prices decreased nominally since last month and 6% year over year at $449,900. Listing prices for 118 homes decreased by 2% in August and spent a median of 57 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
- Odin’s Smokehouse opened in Aberdeen. Source: Aberdeen Times
Caribou County
- The Soda Springs School District launched a club for Soda Springs High School to raise money for school projects, including a bathroom renovation. Source: The News-Examiner
- Caribou County median home prices in August saw no change since last month but increased 18% year over year at $350,000. Listing prices for 37 homes in inventory increased by 4% in August and spent a median of 64 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Franklin County
- Franklin County median home prices decreased 1% from last month and 1% year over year at $494,250. Listing prices for 55 homes in inventory increased by 5% in August and spent a median of 57 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Oneida County
- Oneida County median home listing prices decreased 10% from last month but increased 4% year over year at $359,000. Listing prices for 25 homes in inventory increased by 22% in August and spent a median of 49 days on the market. Source: Realtor.com
Power County
- A wildfire, Aug. 17, burned 650 acres in Power County, jumping the interstate and getting close to the Simplot Plant. Though there was an evacuation order, the fire was quickly contained and caused no damage to structures. Another fire on Aug. 27 burned 50 acres and destroyed a potato cellar. Source: KPVI News and Idaho State Journal
- Little Theatre in American Falls received a $25,000 grant from AgWest Farm Credit. Source: The Power County Press
- Power County median home prices in August increased 4% from last month and decreased 16% year over year at $377,000. Listing prices for 19 homes in inventory increased by 12% in August and spent a median of 80 days on the market. 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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