News
Regional labor market information
- Labor demand in northern Idaho remained stable in September, with a total of 1,860 unique job postings in the region – a slight decline from 1,923 in August. The unemployment rate decreased slightly from 4.9% to 4.8%, increasing by 0.7% from September 2023. Overall, total employment has increased slightly over the last year.
| Northern Idaho seasonally adjusted data | Sep-24 (P) | Aug-24 (R) | Sep-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 128,822 | 128,001 | 126,983 |
| Total employment | 122,646 | 121,694 | 121,769 |
| Unemployment | 6,176 | 6,307 | 5,214 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 4.8% | 4.9% | 4.1% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 74 | 66 |
| Registered nurses | 66 | 83 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 63 | 39 |
| Unclassified occupation | 57 | 45 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 44 | 26 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 43 | 35 |
| Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand | 34 | 33 |
| Janitors and cleaners | 31 | 28 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants | 30 | 29 |
| Customer service representatives | 29 | 46 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in northern Idaho | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 274 | 257 |
| Retail trade | 221 | 237 |
| Administrative and support services | 179 | 169 |
| Accommodation and support services | 101 | 135 |
| Manufacturing | 90 | 113 |
| Wholesale trade | 84 | 91 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 82 | 101 |
| Finance and insurance | 73 | 89 |
| Construction | 59 | 37 |
| Other services (except public administration) | 51 | 46 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho | Median duration, Sep-24 | Median duration, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and dry-cleaning workers | 25 | N/A |
| Chief Executives | 24 | N/A |
| Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors | 24 | N/A |
| Public relations specialists | 23 | N/A |
| Dispatchers, except police, fire and ambulance | 22 | N/A |
| Biological scientists, all other | 22 | N/A |
| Nurse practitioners | 20 | N/A |
| Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians | 20 | N/A |
| Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors | 20 | N/A |
| Lawyers | 20 | N/A |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Kootenai County
- Kootenai Health is constructing a new facility in Coeur d’Alene and upgrading its existing Women’s Imaging Center in Post Falls. The project will add additional mammography scanners, ultrasound machines and bone density scanners to provide better screening and increase capacity. Kootenai Health timed the announcement of the new investments to coincide with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and plans to begin work on the new screening facility in 2025. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The North Point Plaza commercial complex is under construction in north Post Falls and early tenants will begin opening for business in the coming months. A 7-Eleven gas station is slated to open in December, followed by a Grocery Outlet in early 2025. Four parcels remain available for future tenants. Source: Coeur d’ Alene Press
- Camkels Holdings, a north Idaho based development company, is planning a four-story mixed used building in Post Falls which will include 9,800 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 3,8000 square feet of combined residential space on its upper floors. The ground floor commercial space will have room for a total of seven tenants, while the residential floors will include a mix of 33 one and two-bedroom apartments. The project is slated for completion in 2026. Source: Journal of Business
- North Idaho College (NIC) hosted a site visit from accreditation evaluators, now awaiting their report results. NIC leadership hosted a team from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, who conducted the final site visit to NIC before the April 2025 decision on NIC’s accreditation status. The college has been under a show cause sanction since early 2023. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The city of Coeur d’Alene approved a $2.3 million contract to begin improvements to Government Way. The new project will improve 10 different intersections on the busy north-south arterial, including improved pedestrian crossings, signals and synchronized lights to help traffic flow. Government Way has become one of the growing city’s most important corridors and has daily traffic in excess of 16,000 vehicles. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Openings
- The Little Gym (Post Falls).
- Tony Mills Photography (Coeur d’Alene).
- Moose Lounge North (Hayden).
- Dragon Jacket Insulation (Post Falls).
- Metal America (Post Falls).
- Garage Door Design (Post Falls).
- Perma Column (Post Falls).
- Vintage Guild (Coeur d’Alene).
- Coffee Warehouse (Post Falls).
- Idaho Puppy Co. (Coeur d’Alene).
- La Pinata (Post Falls).
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.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional labor market information
Labor force estimates in Figure 1 for September 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics show total employment increasing, but unemployment decreasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, September’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants remaining unchanged, with 493 more employed people and 133 fewer unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region decreased to 3.0%, 0.4 percentage points higher than September 2023.
| Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted data | Sep-24 (P) | Aug-24 (P) | Sep-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 132,732 | 132,372 | 129,691 |
| Total employment | 128,708 | 128,215 | 126,285 |
| Unemployment | 4,024 | 4,157 | 3,406 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.0 | 3.1 | 2.6 |
| P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked Source: Idaho Department of Labor |
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Considering Figure 2, there were an estimated 1,294 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for September 2024, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (Note, this is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) Postings decreased 11% from 1,457 the prior month and dropped 2% from 1,319 year-over-year. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers were the top occupation of unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region this month. Secretaries, administrative assistants and customer service representatives were new to the top five, while construction laborers, cashiers, hand laborers and freight, stock and material mover and general and operations managers were new to the top 10. Employer hiring demand from a job posting perspective increased 31% for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, 21% for retail salespersons, 11% for customer service representatives and 25% for secretaries and administrative assistants. Conversely, job postings decreased 32% for retail sales supervisors.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, September 2024 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 75 |
| Registered nurses | 61 |
| Retail salespersons | 53 |
| Customer service representatives | 28 |
| Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive | 24 |
| Construction laborers | 24 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 21 |
| Cashiers | 17 |
| Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers | 17 |
| General and operations managers | 16 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
Figure 3 shows professional, scientific and technical services remained at the top of eastern region’s rankings for industries by unique job postings in September. However, waste management and remediation services replaced education services in the top five this month. Industry hiring demand from a job posting perspective increased 64% in transportation and warehousing, 12% in health care and social assistance, 20% in professional, scientific and technical services, 35% in manufacturing, 30% in public administration, 43% in accommodation and food services and 40% in construction. Conversely, job postings decreased 4% over the month in retail trade, 8% in education services, and 22% in finance and insurance industries.
| Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, September 2024 | Postings |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 224 |
| Health care and social assistance | 168 |
| Retail Trade | 144 |
| Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services | 102 |
| Manufacturing | 89 |
| Wholesale trade | 76 |
| Construction | 62 |
| Educational services | 57 |
| Public administration | 50 |
| Accommodation and food services | 42 |
| Finance and insurance | 41 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 33 |
| Other services | 26 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | |
As indicated in Figure 4, September 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 included mechanical engineers, general and operations managers, registered nurses, heavy truck drivers and retail sales supervisors. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in September by occupational family were management, transportation and material moving and health care support. All occupations were new to the hardest-to-fill jobs list this month.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, September 2024 | Days to fill | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical engineers | 27 | 9 |
| Computer systems engineers or architects | 27 | 7 |
| General and operations managers | 20 | 16 |
| Registered nurses | 19 | 61 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 18 | 75 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 17 | 16 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 16 | 21 |
| Underground mining loading and moving machine operators | 16 | 7 |
| First-line supervisors of office and administrative workers | 14 | 8 |
| Sales representatives of wholesale and manufacturing | 12 | 9 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Regional news
- The College of Eastern Idaho opened their new Workforce Training Professional Development Center offering education in many trades, such as welding and crane operation. Additionally, a Peace Officer Standards and Training program was also established. The college is a member of the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor, the only nuclear designated technology hub in the nation. Source: East Idaho News
- U.S. Department of Agriculture and Idaho officials met with their Japanese counterparts in Idaho Falls for a Plant Health Bilateral Meeting to promote agricultural trade between the U.S. and foreign countries. The main objective of the meeting was to negotiate with Japan to begin importation of fresh Idaho potatoes. Trade efforts have been ongoing for 30 years. Idaho officials, including Gov. Brad Little, will travel to Japan and Taiwan in November for a trade mission. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
- Work is nearly complete on the first phase of the Teton Pass landslide repair. Crews are preparing the detour to carry traffic through the winter. The Wyoming Department of Transportation is not planning long-term closures of the pass unless necessitated by weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Due to supply chain constraints and unpredictable weather from Teton Pass’ high elevations, project work will likely take place through spring 2025. Source: KIFI
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport will now have a larger Delta Air Lines aircraft to Salt Lake City International Airport. It offers up to 109 seats rather than regional 76-passenger jets. Source: East Idaho News
Bonneville County
- Cannon Skate Shop opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- Broulim’s Fresh Foods is building its 12th grocery store at a new commercial development, Riviera Park, in Ammon. Source: Mountain West Commercial Real Estate
- Eastern Idaho’s first autism clinic, Opal Autism Center, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
- Goldenwest Credit Union opened a new branch in Idaho Falls. Source: Greater Idaho Chamber of Commerce
- Sancho Taco opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
- The US Bank branch in downtown Idaho Falls is closing. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
- The Idaho Community Foundation awarded grants to:
- College of Eastern Idaho Foundation Inc. – received $4,000 to support the Center for New Directions.
- Community Food Basket Idaho Falls – received $12,000 for health and wellness programs.
- Development Workshop Inc. – received $3,941 for community benefit programs.
- Domestic Violence Intervention Center – received $12,000 for educational and economic opportunities.
- Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Inc. – received $5,000 for housing stability efforts.
- Idaho Falls Arts Council Inc. – received $3,000 to support arts and culture.
- Idaho Falls Rescue Mission – received $5,000 for housing stability.
- Museum of Idaho – received $3,000 to support arts and culture.
- Promise Ridge Inc. – received $5,000 for housing stability efforts.
- Salvation Army Idaho Falls Corps – received $4,000 for housing stability.
Source: Post Register
- Bonneville County Courthouse is renovating the vacated police department space for a new jury courtroom, payment offices and office spaces for judges and clerks. The estimated cost is $2.2 million with expected completion by February 2025. Source: Post Register
- The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Salon H. Davis, Tad Jenkins Auto Group, Goldenwest Credit Union, Opal Autism Center, Infusion Specialists, Century 21 High Desert Realty, Avanti Body, Sancho Taco and Westmark Credit Union Member Solutions Center. These establishments have either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or remodeled or amplified their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
Butte County
- The National Park Service and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes held a special event and ceremony to dedicate the new Craters of the Moon Trail Interpretive Waysides at Devil’s Orchard Nature Trail. Source: KIFI
Custer County
- Due to wildfires, the city of Stanley option tax revenues from tourism decreased about 24% in August and estimates September’s revenue loss will be about the same. The revenue losses to the businesses themselves were estimated at $1.5 million, not including option tax revenues. The Small Business Administration and the governor’s office have agreed to declare Economic Injury Disaster in Custer County, which opens the availability of Small Business Administration disaster loans to local businesses. Source: Boise State Public Radio
- The Wapiti Fire between Lowman and Stanley has burned 128,000 acres and is 85% contained. Nearly 400 personnel were working on the fire. The Idaho Transportation Department continues replacing damaged infrastructure and signage along with removing trees along the highway. Source: KIFI
- The Red Rock Fire near Challis temporarily stranded 45 firefighters after destroying a bridge and numerous structures in the area. The fire has grown to 74,000 acres at 19% containment with 564 personnel. People living in the area have been evacuated. Source: East Idaho News and KIFI
- The Stanley School expansion project broke ground and aims to be completed by summer 2025. Two new classrooms and a library are being added with funds of $550,000 from Challis School District trustees and $700,000 from Stanley School Parents Association. Source: Challis Messenger
Fremont County
- The Fish Creek Fire is estimated to be 25,017 acres and 79% contained. Source: KIFI
Jefferson County
- Snake River Meadow RV Park and Campground opened in Ririe, available for weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions and more. Source: East Idaho News
- Rigby City Council approved a 15-unit residential Planned Unit Development. Source: Jefferson Star
Lemhi County
- The Garden Fire has burned 10,000 acres and is 0% contained. There are 177 personnel on site working to contain it. Source: KIFI
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $4.8 million to the Panther Creek Project at the Municipal Watershed in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This is part of an effort to expand work on the U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Source: Capital Press
- Exploration of copper at Electra Battery Materials’ Iron Creek cobalt project will be expanded with financial commitments to Phoenix Copper for 2026 and 2028. Electra has applied for a 10-year exploration permit to drill at 91 sites. Source: Challis Messenger
Madison County
- UNIQ Supply, a custom logo firm, opened their corporate headquarters in Rexburg. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
- The following establishments opened in Rexburg: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Sparks BBQ, Tagg-N-Go Carwash and South Fork Flooring. Source: East Idaho News
- New Fong’s, a restaurant in Rexburg, is permanently closing after 18 years of business. Source: East Idaho News
- The city of Rexburg partnered with Silver Star Communications and Lightbridge Fiber Network for a connectivity project to be completed by fall 2025. The network will cover every street, have open access and is being built with 100% private investment. The four providers to choose from include ConnectFast, Intellipop, Altitude Fiber and Direct Communications. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
- Rexburg Parks Department has introduced the new Teton River Park project. The project will take about 10 years to develop where people can go tubing, paddle boarding and biking. Source: KIFI
- Brigham Young University-Idaho Fall 2024 enrollment consists of 24,111 campus-based students, which is a 3.4% increase over the fall 2023 semester. This was also the largest incoming freshman class in school history. Source: BYU-Idaho Newsroom
- Rexburg City Council approved a $66,000 tennis court conversion into six pickleball courts, to be completed by the spring of 2025. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
Teton County
- Primrose Park opened in Driggs and was funded by Tributary, a private residential community. The park has a playground, soccer field, sand volleyball, basketball and pickleball court. Source: Teton Valley News
- The Idaho Community Foundation awarded grants to:
- Above and Beyond the Classroom Teton Valley – received $7,500 for educational and economic opportunities.
- Community Resource Center of Teton Valley – will receive $2,500 for housing stability efforts.
- Full Circle Education Inc. – will receive $1,000 for educational and economic opportunities.
- Teton Valley Education Foundation – will receive $2,000 for educational opportunities.
- Teton Valley Mental Health Coalition – will receive $2,500 for health and wellness programs.
Source: Teton Valley News
Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – September 2023 and 2024
| Median price sold | Sep-24 | Sep-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | $462,000 | $439,900 | 5.0% |
| Butte | $241,250 | $269,000 | -10.3% |
| Clark | $240,000 | $224,750 | 6.8% |
| Custer | $499,450 | $500,000 | -0.1% |
| Fremont | $716,225 | $699,000 | 2.5% |
| Jefferson | $523,125 | $560,000 | -6.6% |
| Lemhi | $593,000 | $712,000 | -16.7% |
| Madison | $407,125 | $417,963 | -2.6% |
| Teton | $896,000 | $972,500 | -7.9% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | |||
| Active listings (inventory) | Sep-24 | Sep-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 409 | 330 | 23.9% |
| Butte | 14 | 21 | -33.3% |
| Clark | 1 | 2 | -50.0% |
| Custer | 46 | 31 | 48.4% |
| Fremont | 151 | 118 | 28.0% |
| Jefferson | 122 | 101 | 20.8% |
| Lemhi | 60 | 51 | 17.6% |
| Madison | 110 | 89 | 23.6% |
| Teton | 164 | 138 | 18.8% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | #Colspan# | #Colspan# | #Colspan# |
| Median days on market | Sep-24 | Sep-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 50 | 46 | 8.7% |
| Butte | 78 | 52 | 50.0% |
| Clark | 162 | 26 | 523.1% |
| Custer | 94 | 105 | -10.5% |
| Fremont | 90 | 66 | 36.4% |
| Jefferson | 57 | 60 | -5.0% |
| Lemhi | 80 | 97 | -17.5% |
| Madison | 68 | 57 | 19.3% |
| Teton | 87 | 64 | 35.9% |
| Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics | #Colspan# | #Colspan# | #Colspan# |
| Total homes pending sale | Sep-24 | Sep-23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville | 190 | 169 | 12.4% |
| Butte | 7 | 1 | 600.0% |
| Clark | 2 | N/A | N/A |
| Custer | 7 | 8 | -12.5% |
| Fremont | 34 | 27 | 25.9% |
| Jefferson | 30 | 31 | -3.2% |
| Lemhi | 7 | 6 | 16.7% |
| Madison | 37 | 33 | 12.1% |
| Teton | 172 | 53 | 224.5% |
| 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.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Region labor market information
Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home sales – September 2023 and 2024
| Median price sold | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | $534,900 | $539,900 | -0.9% |
| Adams | $575,000 | $425,000 | 35.3% |
| Boise | $545,000 | $510,000 | 6.9% |
| Canyon | $423,896 | $415,495 | 2.0% |
| Elmore | $387,990 | $345,000 | 12.5% |
| Gem | $414,269 | $435,000 | -4.8% |
| Owyhee | $386,000 | $350,000 | 10.3% |
| Payette | $449,975 | $359,900 | 25.0% |
| Valley | $625,000 | $735,000 | -15.0% |
| Washington | $294,288 | $348,000 | -15.4% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
| Days on market | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 43 | 35 | 22.9% |
| Adams | 29 | 31 | -6.5% |
| Boise | 57 | 40 | 42.5% |
| Canyon | 52 | 33 | 57.6% |
| Elmore | 30 | 36 | -16.7% |
| Gem | 47 | 75 | -37.3% |
| Owyhee | 107 | 47 | 127.7% |
| Payette | 70 | 31 | 125.8% |
| Valley | 50 | 47 | 6.4% |
| Washington | 41 | 46 | -10.9% |
| Regional average days | 53 | 42 | 24.9% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
| Inventory | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 1,729 | 1,563 | 10.6% |
| Adams | 38 | 27 | 40.7% |
| Boise | 127 | 88 | 44.3% |
| Canyon | 1,118 | 845 | 32.3% |
| Elmore | 113 | 85 | 32.9% |
| Gem | 107 | 97 | 10.3% |
| Owyhee | 38 | 33 | 15.2% |
| Payette | 144 | 101 | 42.6% |
| Valley | 177 | 142 | 24.6% |
| Washington | 48 | 40 | 20.0% |
| Regional totals | 3,639 | 3,021 | 20.5% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
| Total homes sold | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 716 | 582 | 23.0% |
| Adams | 5 | 9 | -44.4% |
| Boise | 15 | 19 | -21.1% |
| Canyon | 422 | 406 | 3.9% |
| Elmore | 33 | 29 | 13.8% |
| Gem | 38 | 21 | 81.0% |
| Owyhee | 13 | 5 | 160.0% |
| Payette | 32 | 35 | -8.6% |
| Valley | 31 | 27 | 14.8% |
| Washington | 17 | 7 | 142.9% |
| SW sold and % change | 1,322 | 1,140 | 16.0% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
| Sep-23 | Sep-24 | % change | # change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unique postings | 10,174 | 9,554 | -6.1% | -620 |
| Days posted | 10 | 13 | 30.0% | 3 |
| # of employers | 2,813 | 2,587 | -8.0% | -226 |
| Advertised wage | $21.72 | $26.03 | 19.8% | $4.31 |
| Share with wage advertisements | 42% | 51% | 21.4% | 9% |
| Source: Help Wanted Online data via Lightcast | ||||
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in southwestern Idaho | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 | Year over year % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 296 | 335 | -11.6% |
| Registered nurses | 264 | 422 | -37.4% |
| Customer service representatives | 204 | 220 | -7.3% |
| Computer occupations, all other | 208 | 210 | -1.0% |
| Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 185 | 160 | 15.6% |
| Software developers | 179 | 158 | 13.3% |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 174 | 164 | 6.1% |
| Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand | 113 | 144 | -21.5% |
| Project management specialists | 134 | 95 | 41.1% |
| Fast food and counter workers | 134 | 98 | 36.7% |
| Source: Help Wanted Online data via Lightcast | |||
Ada County
- The University of Idaho opened a new research and outreach program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC), originally affiliated with Utah State University, was started through Congress’ passage of the Rural Development Act of 1972 and began operation under the University of Idaho in September. The center’s goal is to link public universities’ science-based research and educational outreach with communities, local decision-makers, entrepreneurs, families, farmers and ranchers to address challenges in rural areas. The program’s director is located at the university’s Boise offices in the Idaho Water Center. The WRDC collaborates with land-grant institutions across 13 western states, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia and Northern Marianas. There are three other centers located across the nation including the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development at Penn State University, the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Purdue University. Source: Emmett Messenger Index
- The Valley Fire started in the southeastern foothills of Boise, spreading to Boise County, threatening its subdivisions and cabins. However, no structures were burned — mainly extremely dry grasses and scrub brush on adjacent foothills. East Jr. High School and Riverstone International School closed for the day, anticipating a potential risk of smoke while first responders closed the main thoroughfare approaching the schools. The fire is currently 90% contained after burning 9,900 acres for two weeks (15 update) and has about 200 firefighters actively working on containment. It has been determined by the Idaho Department of Lands that a power pole cross arm organically broke allowing a live wire to spark the dry grasses. It has not been determined whether Idaho Power will be held financially responsible for the associated costs. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
- Ada County Commissioners granted a variance to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival staff to improve its upper seating area. The plays will no longer offer hillside seating, but rather a tiered seating on the slopped hillside area with concrete paths, as well as structures to shield the sun from actors’ eyes. Additional Americans with Disabilities Act approved seating will also be added during the renovation. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Trustees at Boise, Kuna and West Ada School Districts approved the cancelation of classes on election day, Nov. 5. Boise School District’s special session was addressing school security issues when the safety of both students and voters arose. Kuna School District anticipates high voter participation, making the logistics more challenging. Voting precincts are located at public schools throughout the Treasure Valley. This is the first time school districts have directed parents to keep students at home on election day. Source: Idaho News 6, Idaho Education News
Canyon County
- Lake Lowell is abloom with cyanobacteria from which toxins can harm, or in some cases kill, people, pets and livestock. This is a natural and seasonal occurrence in the late summer and fall across Idaho’s reservoirs. It impacts recreation as fish can carry the toxins in its fat, skin and internal organs. Swimming and water skiing should be avoided, as drinking or any other type of contact with the water can generate symptoms. Source: Idaho Capital Sun
- Marlay Partners LLC. purchased one of the three buildings comprising the Madison Logistics Center in Nampa. The 115,008 square-foot building was sold for $21 million and is fully leased to UTZ Quality Foods and Carroll’s. The other two buildings were completed in January 2023 on a 20-acre site and remain listed for sale. Source: Idaho Business Review
Elmore County
- Ground was broken by state officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leadership at the Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) on a new water treatment facility. The 28,000 square foot treatment plant will provide a dedicated water source for airman and officers living and working at MHAFB. The base was built 81 years ago, drawing water from the Mountain Home Plateau Aquifer; however, water levels have declined over the years. Source: Mountain Home Air Force Base
Gem County
- Valor Health broke ground on a new urgent care facility for Emmett, particularly accessible for those residents living outside city limits. It has been in the works since 2017 and upon completion, will be called Valor Health Center. The site is in a business park on state highway 16 that includes the Emmett District of the Boise National Forest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regional offices, a new Grocery Outlet, currently under construction, and the Payette River Technical Academy (PR2TA), an alternative career technical education campus distinct from Emmett High. Primary care will continue at the existing Valor Health campus with enhanced capacity for myriad services at both locations. Source: Idaho Press
Valley County
- The Ponderosa Center is a facility concept that would fill the final parcel of undeveloped ground between McCall’s marina and Hotel McCall. The space could be used for performances and community gathering events. It would be large enough to accommodate 400 people. The stage and seating will be retractable transforming into a conference area with tables or booths. The McCall Chamber of Commerce plans to be a tenant, bringing its visitor’s center in tow. Another partnership is the McCall Ski Heritage Foundation which has a rich history in the area. The land is currently just a vacant gravel lot. The capital campaign is underway with the eventual goal of $25 million. The first year of the campaign has a goal of $5 million. The hope is that the project can break ground by 2026. Source: Boise State Public Radio
Openings
- Amazon hosted a ribbon cutting at its newest facility in Nampa. The facility covers four acres and is designed to complete orders in a fast turnaround, claiming it is possible to receive a package within a couple hours of ordering. The facility is designed to process 20,000 orders daily. Operations are staffed by 400 workers with room for future hiring of warehouse workers and robotic programmers and maintenance. At the ribbon cutting, Amazon presented a $4,000 check to DonorsChoose, a nonprofit that provides funding for classroom projects in Idaho schools. Over the last 10 years, Amazon reported spending over $2 billion in Idaho while creating 4,000 jobs. The facility’s automation not only heightens efficiency, but it also ensures workers generally experience less injuries on the job. Source: Idaho Press
- A new sandwich shop opened in Boise offering a variety of sandwiches and salads. It is in the former Valere Spa space. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Blaze Pizza will open its second Meridian restaurant with three others throughout the Treasure Valley. The franchise chain has more than 300 locations nationally offering unlimited fresh topping on its custom pizzas. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Power Engineers was purchased by WSP Global headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The company has more than 500 employees working in Boise, although it is based out of Hailey. The company has been employee owned since 1998 and all 900 employee shareholders approved the $1.78 billion deal. Power has about 4,000 employees spread across the 50 offices in North America with 680 in Idaho. The acquisition is not expected to cause any layoffs, and the company will continue to operate under the Power Engineer branding, for the time being. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Care House Partnerships has moved into its newly constructed, 4,500 square foot food bank located in the Nampa First Church of the Nazarene’s parking lot. The nonprofit organization serves about 300 households, which equates to feeding more than 1,200 people. Source: KTVB News
- El Tesoro’s Tortas and Tacos opened in the former Senor Fresh Mexican Eatery. It had operated for 29 years in the same Boise location, closing with the owner’s retirement. Source: Idaho Statesman
- The Phillip E. Batt Education Building, a 6,000 square foot two-story building, was completed with a formal unveiling hosted by the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. The Wassmuth Center was founded in northern Idaho in 1996. In 2002, the Anne Frank Memorial opened to the public, establishing the Boise campus which was expanded to include this new $6.5 million building. It is named after Idaho’s governor from 1995-1999, who was known for his advocacy efforts on behalf of farmworkers and the LGBTQ community. Source: Idaho Press
Closures
- Chicago Connection in Eagle closed, with remaining locations open in Nampa, Meridian and Boise. Source: Idaho Statesman
- House of Western announced its closure citing a lack of business. The restaurant opened in 2021 as Western Proper and just last summer split its 10,500 square foot space into three concepts: fine dining, bistro and bar, and the back space housed a mini-bowling and arcade games area with a sports pub menu. Prior to 2021, Spaghetti Factory was a tenant for nine years. Its brewery, Western Collective, in Garden City is thriving and will continue operations. Source: Idaho Statesman
- Bistro d’Helene, a French restaurant located in Boise’s North End closed its doors after operating for about a year. Its sister restaurant, Apericena, in Hyde Park also closed after two years. Source: Idaho Statesman
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.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Region labor market information
- Labor demand in south central Idaho remained stable in September with a total of 2,734 unique job postings, decreasing 1% from the 2,706 unique postings in August. The unemployment rate remained at 3.5%, having increased 0.4% from September 2023. Additionally over the past year, total employment increased 1.3%.
| South central Idaho seasonally adjusted data | Sep-24 (P) | Aug-24 (R) | Sep-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 108,140 | 109,121 | 106,312 |
| Total employment | 104,327 | 105,257 | 102,991 |
| Unemployment | 3,813 | 3,864 | 3,312 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary | R – Revised | B – Benchmarked |
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in south central Idaho | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 146 | 96 |
| Registered nurses | 121 | 90 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 110 | 92 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 72 | 88 |
| Laborers, freight, stock material movers and hand | 54 | 32 |
| Customer service representatives | 49 | 70 |
| Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 43 | 28 |
| Maintenance and repair workers, general | 43 | 36 |
| Drivers and sales workers | 40 | 38 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 39 | 28 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in south central Idaho | Postings, Sep-24 | Postings, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 461 | 379 |
| Health care and social assistance | 435 | 250 |
| Manufacturing | 339 | 254 |
| Wholesale trade | 143 | 105 |
| Finance and insurance | 118 | 75 |
| Accomodation and food services | 115 | 163 |
| Construction | 108 | 49 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 96 | 93 |
| Public administration | 90 | 66 |
| Information | 87 | 26 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in south central Idaho | Days to fill, Sep-24 | Days to fill, Sep-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary school teachers, except special, career and technical education | 59 | N/A |
| Pharmacists | 58 | 58 |
| Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation and relay | 58 | N/A |
| Surgical technologists | 56 | 29 |
| Cooks and fast food | 55 | N/A |
| Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining | 55 | N/A |
| Sales and related workers, all other | 53 | 30 |
| Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents | 51 | 30 |
| Natural science managers | 50 | 5 |
| Training and development specialists | 49 | 33 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Blaine County
- The Sun Valley based nonprofit Higher Ground will be able to expand its programming for veterans with disabilities thanks to a nearly $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, the grant will go towards sustaining regular mountain biking, fishing and ski trips for disabled veterans throughout the Wood River Valley. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Minidoka County
- Mart Group has opened a new potato processing plant in Rupert. The plant will produce many different potato products, including a fully baked frozen potato called an OH!Tatoe, a very popular product in the Japanese market. The plant expects to add 80 jobs to the local economy and be fully functioning by the end of October. Source: KMVT
Twin Falls County
- The Center for Community Health, which provides resources and support for those in need, has opened in Twin Falls. The center helps community members apply for Medicaid, food stamps, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, as well as navigate housing and utility assistance. Overall, it will be a useful community resource for information and services. Source: KMVT
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.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
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.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Regional news
- Troy Insurance Agency, with locations in Lewiston and Moscow, has entered into a partnership to collaborate with Leavitt Group. Leavitt currently operates in 11 offices in Idaho, including Leavitt Inland Pacific Insurance Services in Moscow. Source: Leavitt Group
Clearwater County
- Clearwater Valley Veterinary Clinic has announced plans to close the business to the public at the end of 2024 due to owner retirement. Source: Clearwater Tribune
- Material Girls quilt shop has opened their new location in the former Sears building in Orofino. Source: Clearwater Tribune
- Senator Jim Risch named Innovative Electric Services of Orofino as Idaho’s Small Business of the Month for October. Source: KOZE
Idaho County
- Salmon River Joint School District is experiencing the highest K-12 enrollment of the past decade with over 170 students district wide. The growth is coming from a mixture of residents migrating to the area as well as some formerly homeschooled students returning. Source: Idaho County Free Press
- Killgore Adventures has opened Kirby Creek Lodge outside of Riggins. Accessible only by boat, the lodge boasts six guest rooms and an on-site chef. Source: Killgore Adventures
Latah County
- The city of Bovill completed the 2024 Community Health Academy and will receive a $20,000 grant towards a health and wellness project within the community. Source: Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
- The Garden Community School in Potlatch has announced plans to open a second child care location in Moscow in November 2024. Source: The Garden Community School
- Lombard Conrad Architects, of Boise, has been hired to study the feasibility of a new elementary school on city-owned land in south Moscow. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- Latah County Jail has recently been found to be outside of state code for fire sprinklers, electrical systems and door size. The county commissioners have asked the Latah County Sheriff to prepare cost estimates and decide how to proceed. Source: Pullman Radio
- Red Star Coffee Company received approval from the Idaho State Board of Education to build a drive-through coffee hut in a current parking lot managed by the University of Idaho. The company will next seek approval by the city of Moscow. Source: Lewiston Tribune
Nez Perce County
- Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) was awarded a $940,000 five-year SPARC grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The SPARC program will be run in partnership with the Lewiston School District and teach students with disabilities, ages 18-21, skills such as independence, employment and success. Students will attend an academic program each morning and train at worksites in the afternoon. Funding includes the hiring of a new employment coordinator. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
- LCSC has partnered with Idaho State University (ISU) to offer ISU’s accredited paramedic education program on LCSC’s campus. ISU offers a four-semester paramedic science certificate or associate’s degree. LCSC and ISU are active partners for educating pharmacy students, physician assistants and a master of science in athletic training for LCSC students. Source: Lewiston Tribune
- LCSC has completed final requirements of the Prison Education Program (PEP) to become the first Idaho institution to receive approval by the U.S. Department of Education. The completion allows its 130 incarcerated students throughout Idaho to be eligible for Pell Grants. LCSC is one of 11 approved PEP programs in the nation and is one of only three, offering both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Source: Lewis-Clark State College
- Joseph Regional Medical Center was designated as a Level II Stroke Center by Idaho’s Time Sensitive Emergency System. Source: St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
Openings
- Tabby’s, coffee shop and bubble waffles food truck, Orofino.
- Style Revival, consignment clothing, Lewiston.
- Renewed Spaces Cleaning, Lewiston.
- Salty Soirees, event coordinator, Lewiston.
- Wolf Meadows, wedding venue, Helmer.
- Hopper’s Pizza Take and Bake, Grangeville.
- Happy Tails Resort, relocated to a new location in Grangeville.
- Hello Gorgeous Salon, Lewiston.
- Kalon Co. Esthetics and Body Sculpting, Lewiston.
- Canyon Inn, has reopened under new ownership, Peck.
Closings
- Northfork Café, Ahsahka.
- The Clothes Line, Lewiston.
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.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Region
Labor demand in northern Idaho remained stable in August 2024, with a total of 1,923 unique job postings in the region – a slight decline from 2,043 in July. The unemployment rate rose slightly in August from 4.8% to 4.9%, increasing by 0.8% from August of last year. Overall, total employment has increased slightly over the last year.
Figure 1.
| Northern Idaho seasonally adjusted data | Aug-24 (P) | July-24 (R) | Aug-23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 127,977 | 127,300 | 126,401 |
| Total employment | 121,686 | 121,180 | 121,231 |
| Unemployment | 6,291 | 6,120 | 5,170 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 4.9% | 4.8% | 4.1% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked | ||
Figure 2.
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho, July 2024 | Postings, Aug-24 | Postings, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 68 | 73 |
| Registered nurses | 64 | 92 |
| Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand | 40 | 60 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 40 | 22 |
| Home health and personal care aides | 38 | 43 |
| Fast food and counter workers | 38 | 27 |
| Customer service representatives | 35 | 37 |
| Medical and health service managers | 33 | 14 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 29 | 41 |
| Cashiers | 28 | 23 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Figure 3.
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in northern Idaho, August 2024 | Postings, Aug-24 | Postings, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 273 | 309 |
| Retail trade | 260 | 288 |
| Administrative and support services | 202 | 221 |
| Manufacturing | 122 | 144 |
| Accommodation and food services | 118 | 137 |
| Finance and insurance | 78 | 85 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 70 | 94 |
| Wholesale trade | 69 | 73 |
| Educational services | 50 | 56 |
| Construction | 47 | 55 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Figure 4.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho, August 2024 | Median duration, Aug-24 | Median duration, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive and watercraft service attendants | 27 | N/A |
| Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks | 27 | N/A |
| Sewing machine operators | 27 | N/A |
| Electricians | 26 | N/A |
| Preschool teachers, except special education | 25 | N/A |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers | 25 | 19 |
| First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers | 24 | N/A |
| Cashiers | 23 | N/A |
| Sales representatives, technical and scientific products | 23 | N/A |
| Machinists | 23 | 10 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast |
Region News
Bonner County
- The Idaho Department of Lands auctioned off eight (now-former) endowment lots on Priest Lake, netting more than $11.4 million, which was more than $500,000 above the appraised value of the lots. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee
Kootenai County
- A new family division land-use ordinance has gone into effect in Kootenai County. The new ordinance contains exemptions which will make it easier for property owners to divide their land to either sell or gift to family members, by allowing living property owners to divide unplotted land without following the county’s formal subdivision procedures. Source: Journal of Business
- Coeur d’Alene based Intermax Networks raised $60 million in private and public funds to extend fiber-optic infrastructure to underserved regional communities. Projects have begun to run fiber to rural communities in northern Idaho including Spirit Lake, Twin Lakes Village and to bring connectivity along Idaho Route 54. Source: Journal of Business
- Construction is beginning on a new interchange between State Highway 53 and Pleasant View Road. The $30 million Idaho Transportation Department project will include a new diamond interchange and additional lanes, which will eliminate several railroad crossings and greatly increase capacity. Preliminary work this autumn is not expected to impact traffic flows, with impacts to drivers beginning in spring 2025. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
- The North Idaho Building Contractor’s Association held its annual Parade of Homes. The event allows regional builders to showcase their state-of-the-art projects with ticketed tours of homes. The event serves to both promote home builders and educate the public on the latest trends and innovations in home design. It also serves major fundraiser for the Building Contractor’s Association. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
Openings
- Treehouse Restaurant (Coeur d’Alene)
- Armory Outpost (Hayden)
- Divine Nails & Spa (Coeur d’Alene)
- Honeysuckle Suites (Hayden)
- La Pinata (Post Falls)
- MAC Physical Therapy (Post Falls)
- Orchid Nails & Spa (Coeur d’Alene)
- Wholesome Plate (Coeur d’Alene)
- Paradigm Owners Rep Services (Coeur d’Alene)
- NorthLife Aesthetics (Coeur d’Alene)
- Bolton Law (Coeur d’Alene)
- Kayu International (Hayden)
- Sandpoint Ceramics (Sandpoint)
- Cultivation Counseling (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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Region
Southwestern Idaho’s single-family home sales – August 2023 and 2024
| Median price sold | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | $536,655 | $520,000 | 3.2% |
| Adams | $371,000 | $459,999 | -19.3% |
| Boise | $390,000 | $440,000 | -11.4% |
| Canyon | $410,384 | $405,000 | 1.3% |
| Elmore | $379,990 | $330,000 | 15.1% |
| Gem | $456,750 | $519,000 | -12.0% |
| Owyhee | $390,000 | $363,000 | 7.4% |
| Payette | $360,000 | $365,164 | -1.4% |
| Valley | $632,500 | $730,000 | -13.4% |
| Washington | $334,489 | $359,000 | -6.8% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
| Days on market | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 39 | 34 | 14.7% |
| Adams | 122 | 80 | 52.5% |
| Boise | 73 | 54 | 35.2% |
| Canyon | 50 | 32 | 56.3% |
| Elmore | 73 | 39 | 87.2% |
| Gem | 40 | 62 | -35.5% |
| Owyhee | 51 | 39 | 30.8% |
| Payette | 41 | 60 | -31.7% |
| Valley | 62 | 67 | -7.5% |
| Washington | 68 | 44 | 54.5% |
| Regional average days | 62 | 51 | 21.1% |
| Source: Intermountain Multiple Listing Service | |||
Region
- In early September, the U.S. Drought Monitor downgraded most of the north central region from D1 Moderate Drought to D2 Severe Drought as dry conditions persist. Source: US Drought Monitor
- Wheat harvest in north central Idaho has been challenging due to extremely low market prices that could realistically result in operational losses for local farmers. Winter wheat had above average yields while spring wheat varied from below-to-average yields. Weather was listed as the top issue for the 2024 crop season. Source: PNW Co-Op
- A shortage of referees and officials is resulting in regional fall volleyball and football games being rescheduled and potentially canceled throughout the region. Source: Lewiston Tribune, KOZE, Idaho County Free Press
- Local government outlooks for the next fiscal year:
- Latah County is seeing budget increases for employee salaries, June 2025 Kohberger trial expenses, and grants covering internet broadband deployment offset by predicted lower revenue distributions from sales taxes and alcohol.
- The city of Moscow will increase property taxes by 4% and add three new paid paramedic/firefighter positions, $5 million toward the construction of a new city shop facility and proposed 4% cost of living increase to city staff. The city eliminated six positions in Fiscal Year 2024 that will remain vacant and unfunded for the upcoming year.
- Nez Perce County will purchase a microwave simulcast repeater for improved emergency communications, add a cybersecurity position, and pay final completion bills of the newly constructed county courthouse.
- The city of Lewiston plans to cut unfilled positions (transit driver, groundskeeper, administrative assistant and arborist) and reduce cash reserves to keep property tax rates flat in the upcoming year. It may look to hire more police officers for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
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.