Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, March 2025

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Regional labor market information

  • There were an estimated 3,014 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for February 2025, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (This is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 3,014 postings are a 4% increase from 2,880 the prior month and a 9% increase from 2,614 year-over-year. Registered nurses remained in the top spot of unique job postings in the region for February. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings this month were merchandise displayers and civil engineers. Employer hiring demand based on quantity of job postings increased 191% for truck driving, 150% for customer service, 136% for nursing, 108% for sales, 104% for retail supervision, 95% for farm work and 58% for freight and material mover occupations since last month.
Figure 1.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, February 2025Postings
Registered nurses132
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers99
Crop, nursery, greenhouse farmworkers and laborers86
Retail salespersons77
Customer service representatives65
Physical therapists61
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers51
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers38
Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers38
Civil engineers37
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • There was no change to the top five regional industries by quantity of job postings since last month. Hiring demand by total unique job postings more than doubled over the month in the top industry categories.
Figure 2.
Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, February 2025Postings
Professional, scientific and technical services364
Health care and social assistance357
Finance and insurance294
Retail trade284
Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services221
Manufacturing204
Educational services163
Wholesale trade157
Construction135
Public administration84
Accommodation and food services60
Transportation and warehousing49
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • February hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, included heavy truck drivers, civil engineers and construction laborers. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in February by occupational family were engineering and health care practitioners. All occupations except construction laborers and management analysts were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list.
Figure 3.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, February 2025Days to fillPostings
Nuclear engineers4622
Fishing and hunting workers3426
Civil engineers3337
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers3319
Automative service technicians and mechanics3317
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers32100
Construction laborers3233
Coaches and scouts3224
Nursing assistants3126
Management analysts3018
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Regional news

  • The College of Eastern Idaho’s new program for law enforcement — Peace Officer Standards and Training has received official approval from the state. The program will launch two academies, detention and patrol, starting April 28. Source: The Post Register
  • An Education Superhighway event will be held June 4 – 6. This event will  help students and job seekers learn about career pathways in the region and how to access training. Partners include the following:
    • Idaho State University –  Idaho Falls campus industry programs
    • Teton Toyota automotive industry.
    • College of Eastern Idaho – medical, skilled trade and law enforcement industries.

Source: Idaho Department of Labor

  • The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls is partnering with the J.R. Simplot Company to fund facility expansion. It will include a new state-of-the-art education center, additional gallery space and a riverfront gathering area. Source: KIFI
  • According to Natural Resources Conservation Services mountain data from SNOTEL, the six runoff basins that comprise eastern Idaho have an average year-to-date snow water equivalent of nearly 100% of median and average year-to-date precipitation of 91% of median. The seasonal outlook forecasts drought conditions to persist in the Salmon River basin over the next three months. Upper Snake basin reservoir system storage is 77% of capacity and 111% of normal as of March 1. The forecast calls for 103% of normal runoff April to July at Upper Snake basin. The Big Lost and Little Lost river basins show slight potential for a shortage of irrigation water. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services

Bonneville County

  • Tropical Smoothie Café opened a second location, this time in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Peak Linen, a health care, manufacturing, food service linen cleaner and servicer, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • Park & A Italia restaurant opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
  • Team Lionheart MMA, a mixed martial arts gym, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • A self-service auto salvage yard, Big D Pick & Pull, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Young Mazda opened a new auto dealership in Idaho Falls. Source: KIFI
  • Café Zupas restaurant is opening in Ammon. Source: East Idaho News
  • CMIT Solutions, a customized information technology (IT) support firm, opened a location in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
  • Grand Peaks Medical opened in Idaho Falls, their third clinic location. Source: KIFI
  • Teton Music retail store in Ammon is permanently closing. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Peak Linen and Westmark Credit Union Member Solutions Center. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • A new mosque in Ammon is near completion for the Islamic community in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News

Custer County

  • The city of Stanley is hiring a firm to help plan and build a low-income workforce housing development on four acres, that the city owns. The project is being funded with $4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community project program. Source: The Challis Messenger

Fremont County

  • Teton Regional Land Trust completed the purchase of a 320-acre conservation easement in Island Park on the Tom’s Creek property within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The land is prime grizzly bear habitat, open grazed land, upland forest and wetland vegetation along springs and creeks. Sources of funding are grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Cross Charitable Foundation, Vital Ground Foundation and private donations. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

Jefferson County

  • Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was allocated $271,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for new equipment and vehicles. Source: The Jefferson Star

Lemhi County

  • An Australian company, Jervois Mining that operates the Idaho Cobalt Operations project, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It is slated to reach a funding and recapitalization agreement with Millstreet Capital Management by April. The changes reportedly won’t disrupt commercial operations or business. Cobalt mined at Jervois is priced at an all-time low. Source: The Challis Messenger

Madison County

  • Uptown Plaza Event Center opened in Rexburg. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • South Fork Flooring opened in Rexburg. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • BYU-Idaho parent university, BYU-Provo, is rolling out a new medical school in two to three years. The School of Medicine Advisory Council consists of 15 working groups and 140 advisers. A working partnership has already been established with Intermountain Health. Source: The Deseret News
  • The city of Rexburg has signed a contract with an architect to build a new police station. Source: KIFI
  • The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council awarded the city of Rexburg two federal grants to cover the cost to upgrade one street and to improve the city’s traffic signals. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • The Rexburg Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cutting ceremonies at Tommy’s Carwash, Cornerstone Caregiving, Masala Indian Cuisine and Uptown Plaza Event Center. Source: Rexburg Chamber of Commerce

Teton County

  • Lula Wine Bar opened in Driggs. Source: The Jackson Hole News and Guide

Eastern Idaho commercial real estate statistics – 2024 and 2025

  • There have been two large move-outs in Idaho Falls First American Docutech and Wells Fargo — leaving 46,000 total square feet of industrial and office space vacant in 2024. However, total office real estate transactions in the first half of 2024 increased 49% over the year. Multitenant vacancy has increased over a percentage point the past 12 months to 8%. In the first half of 2024, industrial transactions doubled over the year.
  • Industrial construction delivered 239,000 square feet of space halfway through 2024. Vacancy increased by almost two percentage points — to 8.5% — and retail transactions decreased 18% during the same time period. Overall, asking lease rates have increased 10% compared to last year. Commercial land transactions increased rapidly to 23% and commercial building permits increased 9% over the year, including Idahoan Foods building a large new plant in Idaho Falls. Retail remained the top sector for commercial leases, followed by office and industrial. Source: TOK Commercial Real Estate

Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – February 2024 and 2025

  • Bonneville, Madison, Jefferson and Clark counties are the fastest selling housing markets in the region, showing an average of 48 days listed, which is a relatively long time to sit on the market. Idaho has dropped to 28th nationally for fastest selling housing markets, based on homes selling in 30 days or less. Regional pending home sales saw little change with a 2% decrease over the year.
  • Nationally, pending home sales have dropped to the lowest in 25 years, owing to high interest rates and the opportunity cost being too great for homeowners to move. It would otherwise be a homebuyers’ market with the market softening, if not for continued high costs of borrowing and the increased price of homes themselves. The eastern Idaho supply of homes for sale has nearly doubled since February 2023, including an overabundance of new construction, yet regional home prices have still increased by 7% over the year. In 2024, total single-family building permits in the region doubled since 2023 with over 500 permits issued so far in 2025. There are 1,200 units currently planned or under construction. Source: TOK Commercial Real Estate, Realtor.com, View Homes
Figure 4.
Median price soldFeb-25Feb-24Change
Bonneville$427,200$435,000-1.8%
Butte$232,000$239,725-3.2%
Clark$242,450$240,0001.0%
Custer$592,500$532,50011.3%
Fremont$774,450$738,7504.8%
Jefferson$499,000$508,825-1.9%
Lemhi$500,000$638,500-21.7%
Madison$426,700$375,00013.8%
Teton$1,150,000$858,00034.0%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics
Figure 5.
Active listings (inventory)Feb-25Feb-24Change
Bonneville34054529.6%
Butte812-33.3%
Clark31200.0%
Custer2327-14.8%
Fremont69673.0%
Jefferson876045.0%
Lemhi463053.3%
Madison806719.4%
Teton947230.6%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 6.
Median days on marketFeb-25Feb-24Change
Bonneville645418.5%
Butte16112429.8%
Clark22184-88.0%
Custer15112025.8%
Fremont13612211.5%
Jefferson4257-26.3%
Lemhi1361323.0%
Madison6483-22.9%
Teton119149-20.1%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 7.
Total homes pending saleFeb-25Feb-24Change
Bonneville159164-3.0%
Butte440.0%
Clark1N/AN/A
Custer113266.7%
Fremont171330.8%
Jefferson35342.9%
Lemhi6520.0%
Madison252213.6%
Teton5777-26.0%
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.

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, February 2025

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Regional labor market information

  • There were an estimated 1,425 deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for January 2025, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (This is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 1,425 postings are a 44% decrease from 2,534 the prior month, but a 21% increase from 1,120 year-over-year. Registered nurses remained in the top spot of occupations by unique job postings in the region for January. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings in January were nursery and farm workers, physical therapists, medical imaging technicians and construction laborers. Employer hiring demand, based on quantity of job postings, decreased for all other carryover occupations from the month prior, including fewer by 55% for registered nurses, 62% for retail salesperson, 57% for heavy truck drivers, 45% for customer service representatives, 58% for retail sales supervisors and 62% for freight and material movers.
Figure 1.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, January 2025Postings
Registered nurses56
Crop, nursery, greenhouse workers and laborers44
Retail salespersons37
Physical therapists34
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers34
Customer service representatives26
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers25
Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers24
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists23
Construction laborers22
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • Finance and insurance replaced manufacturing in the top five of regional industries by quantity of job postings in January. Industry hiring demand by job postings increased over the month by 36% in finance and insurance. Job postings decreased over the month in all other top industries.
Figure 2.
Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, January 2025Postings
Health care and social assistance186
Professional, scientific and technical services165
Finance and insurance148
Retail trade133
Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services103
Manufacturing93
Wholesale trade73
Construction55
Educational services53
Public administration45
Accommodation and food services28
Transportation and warehousing25
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • January data on the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, included pharmacy technicians, general and operations managers as well as administrative assistants. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in January by occupational family were health care practitioners, business and financial operations. All occupations were new to January’s hardest-to-fill jobs list.
Figure 3.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, January 2025Days to fillPostings
Pharmacy technicians288
Sales representatives of services 208
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers1910
Construction laborers 1722
Management analysts 1712
Accountants and auditors1710
Radiologic technologists and technicians 179
General and operations managers 1618
Secretaries and administrative assistants 1616
Mechanical engineers158
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Regional news

  • Idaho National Laboratory (INL) agreed to a five-year memorandum of understanding with Boise State and Idaho State Universities. The agreement outlines collaboration on research in critical and strategic materials and minerals, environmental sustainability and security, nuclear materials and fuel cycle engineering, efficiency in nuclear power systems and industrial cybersecurity. Source: INL
  • The 29th Annual East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo returned to Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls. The event featured over 50 vendors and hundreds of patrons. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
  • Yellowstone National Park hosted 4.7 million visitors for 2024, the second highest on record, and a 5% increase from 2023. Source: National Park Service
  • Utah-based travel subscription service, Flights from Home, added Idaho Falls Regional Airport to three other intermountain west airports it services. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • A total of $136,000 in Rural Education Professional Grants were awarded in the eastern Idaho region by the U.S. Small Business Administration, administered by Idaho Commerce Rural Services. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • According to Natural Resources Conservation Services mountain data from SNOTEL, the six runoff basins that comprise eastern Idaho have an average year-to-date snow water equivalent of over 103% of median and year-to-date precipitation between 95% and 103%. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services

Bonneville County

  • Fixxology Drinks, a soda shop, opened another location in Idaho Falls. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • A restaurant, bar and performance venue, AJ’s Place, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Big Lots, an Idaho Falls retailer, closed permanently. Source: The Idaho Department of Labor
  • As one of seven Idaho establishments that have encouraged growth and expansion with jobs paying above-average county wages, Idaho Economic Advisory Council awarded an Idaho Tax Reimbursement Incentive to Project Sofa. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • Idaho Broadband Advisory Board awarded a $25,000 BEAD Regional Coordination and Planning Grant to the city of Ammon for the support and development of broadband action teams and coalitions. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • Merriam Park, LLC purchased 1.3 acres in Idaho Falls for commercial use. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • Denning Holdings, LLC purchased an acre on Main Street in Iona for commercial use. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival from Alberta, Canada made an annual tour stop in Idaho Falls. The adventure films feature remote locations and sports with over a thousand people attending locally. Source: KIFI
  • Bonneville Joint School District was awarded an $11,000 Technology Improvement Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install, improve or replace child nutrition technology solutions. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremony at Northgate Fixxology. Establishments that either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location are highlighted. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce

Custer County

  • U.S. Bank in Mackay is closing. Source: Challis Messenger
  • The Idaho Travel Council awarded a $162,000 Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant to Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce and $25,000 to Challis Chamber of Commerce for tourism marketing. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • The city of Stanley was awarded a $50,000 Idaho Gem Grant, administered by Idaho Commerce Rural Services, for infrastructure projects, including relocating the skating rink. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • Custer County was awarded a $28,000 Rural Educational Professional Grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration, administered by Idaho Commerce Rural Services, to hire or retain a full-time economic development professional. Source: Idaho Commerce

Fremont County

  • Idaho Broadband Advisory Board awarded a $30,000 BEAD Regional Coordination and Planning Grant to the city of Teton for the support and development of broadband action teams and coalitions. Source: Idaho Commerce

Jefferson County

  • A new veterinary clinic, Bramwell Animal Hospital, is opening in Rigby. Source: Jefferson Star News
  • The five-acre Jefferson Office Park is being developed in Rigby with five office buildings, two offices each. Source: Jefferson Star
  • St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mud Lake has been rebuilt and reopened after structure fire damage in 2021. Source: KIFI
  • The Broulim family of Rigby, owner of Broulim’s Fresh Foods grocery stores, made a $7 million donation to construct a new field house at Rigby High School. Source: Jefferson Star

Lemhi County

  • Lemhi County was awarded a $28,000 Rural Education Professional Grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration, administered by Idaho Commerce Rural Services, to hire or retain a full-time economic development professional. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • The Idaho Travel Council awarded a $41,000 Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant to Lemhi County Economic Development Association for tourism marketing. Source: Idaho Commerce

Madison County

  • Discount clothing store, Ross Dress for Less, is opening in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • Tommy’s Car Wash opened in Rexburg. Source: Rexburg Chamber of Commerce
  • Old Souls Bakery opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • Pony Express Car Wash opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • Idaho Broadband Advisory Board awarded a $25,000 BEAD Regional Coordination and Planning Grant to Madison County for the support and development of broadband action teams and coalitions. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • The city of St. Anthony completed five pickleball courts and a splashpad at the new Merrill Rose Memorial Park. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • Brigham Young University-Idaho reports a 6% winter semester increase over last year, with 20,500 students living in Rexburg. Source: BYU-Idaho

Teton County

  • Pearl Street Bagels opened in Driggs, their third location. Source: Jackson Hole News and Guide 
  • A new interior design showroom, In Place Home, opened in Victor. It is a design firm that sells furnishings, assists with moving, professional organizing and estate sales. Source: Jackson Hole News and Guide
  • Teton County was awarded a $30,000 Rural Education Professional Grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration, administered by Idaho Commerce Rural Services, to hire or retain a full-time economic development professional. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • Teton Flats Apartments, a new four-building residential community in Victor, is opening this spring. Source: Buckrail
  • Idaho Department of Water Resources announced a new Teton Basin groundwater district is forming within the next year. Source: Teton Valley News
  • Over-the-year residential real estate transactions in Victor, Driggs, Tetonia and Alta decreased 4%and sales volume decreased 15% to close out 2024. Source: McPeak Group of Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International

Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – January 2023 and 2024

  • With 90 more home listings in inventory than the same time last year in Bonneville County, the region’s largest housing market, home prices are lower over the year. In all the region’s urban counties, there are more homes in inventory with less pending homes being sold than at the same time last year.
Figure 4.
Median price soldJan-25Jan-24Change
Bonneville$429,900$432,000-0.5%
Butte$191,500$239,500-20.0%
Clark$200,000$240,000-16.7%
Custer$590,000$565,0004.4%
Fremont$750,000$699,2007.3%
Jefferson$480,000$486,300-1.3%
Lemhi$522,500$626,000-16.5%
Madison$407,200$379,9007.2%
Teton$990,000$822,00020.4%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics
Figure 5.
Active listings (inventory)Jan-25Jan-24Change
Bonneville35726733.7%
Butte917-47.1%
Clark110.0%
Custer2628-7.1%
Fremont756711.9%
Jefferson836136.1%
Lemhi423040.0%
Madison73704.3%
Teton1028421.4%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 6.
Median days on marketJan-25Jan-24Change
Bonneville6572-9.7%
Butte14710244.1%
Clark28156-82.1%
Custer14810442.3%
Fremont13311713.7%
Jefferson84831.2%
Lemhi1251231.6%
Madison857021.4%
Teton116134-13.4%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 7.
Total homes pending saleJan-25Jan-24Change
Bonneville122140-12.9%
Butte440.0%
Clark1N/AN/A
Custer121100.0%
Fremont16156.7%
Jefferson2527-7.4%
Lemhi63100.0%
Madison1526-42.3%
Teton5072-30.6%
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.

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, January 2025

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Regional labor market information

  • Labor force estimates for December 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have total employment increasing, but unemployment decreasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, December preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 1,609, with 1,653 more employed people and 44 fewer unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region held at 3.2% since last month and 0.6 percentage points higher than December 2023.
Figure 1.
Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted dataDec-24 (P)Nov-24 (P)Dec-23 (B)
Civilian labor force134,837133,228128,810
Total employment130,582128,929125,522
Unemployment4,2554,2993,288
% of labor force unemployed3.23.22.6
P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked
Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • There were an estimated 2,534 unique, deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for December 2024, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online (this is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 2,534 postings are a 170% increase from 941 the prior month and a 6% year-over-year increase from 2,388. Registered nurses remained the top occupation of unique job postings in the region for December. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings this month were retail supervisors, radiologic technicians and general operations managers. Employer hiring demand based on quantity of job postings increased by a wide margin for all occupations in the top 10 since last month.
Figure 2.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, December 2024Postings
Registered nurses125
Retail salespersons98
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers79
Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers63
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers59
Customer service representatives47
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers37
General maintenance and repair workers33
Radiologic technologists and technicians28
General and operations managers26
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • Manufacturing replaced finance and insurance in the top five of regional industries by quantity of job postings this month. Industry hiring demand by total job postings nearly tripled across the board over the month.
Figure 3.
Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, December 2024Postings
Health care and social assistance410
Professional, scientific and technical services312
Retail trade269
Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services204
Manufacturing168
Educational services164
Wholesale trade142
Construction99
Finance and insurance94
Public administration70
Transportation and warehousing62
Accommodation and food services50
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • December data on the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, include heavy truck drivers, electrical engineers, bus and truck mechanics and sales managers. December’s hardest-to-fill job postings by occupational family were the transportation and material moving, health care practitioners, technical and management occupations. All occupations were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list, except heavy truck drivers.
Figure 4.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, December 2024Days to fillPostings
Electrical engineers5017
Bus, truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists4814
Sales managers4220
Tellers4120
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers4116
Nurse practictioners 3915
Information security engineers3912
Critical care nurses3713
Project management specialists3615
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers3579
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Regional news

  • The Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium (IAEC) was awarded a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Good Jobs Challenge program. IAEC’s Advanced Nuclear Workforce Ecosystem projects also received in-kind contributions of $1.8 million. The funds will support the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor tech hub regional workforce ecosystem, focused on accelerating the advanced nuclear energy industry. The funds will also be distributed among College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho State University, Idaho Workforce Development Council and Idaho National Laboratory to enhance nuclear technician training, nuclear trades curriculum and transitional workforce training opportunities. Source: Idaho Business Review 
  • The Teton Pass Shuttle, a project of Teton Backcountry Alliance, reported a record number of people so far this winter with skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and others utilizing its ride service to access the backcountry. Source: Buckrail
  • Teton Regional Land Trust works across eastern Idaho to help protect natural spaces, agricultural lands and wildlife habitat through voluntary conservation easements on private land. The trust launched a new program to assist landowners of working agricultural lands with succession planning to keep working lands with new generations of agriculture producers. Source: Teton Valley News
  • The Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) had another record year in 2024 as passenger traffic increased 12% year over year with 73% more passengers taking flights than in 2019. Five airlines currently service IDA, offering direct flights to nine cities. Source: KIFI and City of Idaho Falls
  • According to mountain data from Natural Resources Conservation Services’ Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL), December precipitation data shows Lost River and Little Wood basins were the driest watersheds in Idaho at 80-85% of normal, and total water year precipitation ranged from 65-81% of normal. Snowpack in the Lost and Wood basins ranged from 80-110% of normal, which is better than January 2024 when snowpack was 50-60% of normal. December Salmon River basin precipitation was 80% of normal, and snowpack was 110% of normal. Mackay Reservoir was holding between 80-90% of its normal storage and 42% capacity. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services

Bonneville County

  • A new clinic, Transformative Journey Healthcare, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Reframed Eye, an optometry clinic, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • After opening in mid-2023, Chip Cookies in Ammon permanently closed their business. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County, Reframed Eye and Bonneville County Sherriff’s Office. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • Industrial Ventilation Inc. in Idaho Falls was awarded a $9,000 STEP Year 11 grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Administered by Idaho Commerce, the grant is for foreign market sales trips, governor or foreign trade missions and international or domestic trade shows. Source: Idaho Commerce
  • A firefighting team and fire engine from Swan Valley were part of 104 firefighters and 25 fire engines from Idaho mobilized to help fight the southern California wildfires. Source: KIFI 
  • Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office opened new special housing, medical and staff dining areas, in addition to wellness areas. Source: Post Register
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Association of Realtors gifted $29,000 towards the Mayor’s Scholarship Fund. Source: KIFI
  • Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge has been expanded by 2,496 acres after collaboration between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a private landowner and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Source: Post Register

Custer County

  • The expansion project of new classrooms and a library at Stanley School was completed ahead of schedule. Students moved back in from modular classrooms at the K-8 school. Source: Challis Messenger
  • In 2024, the Challis Golf and Recreation Association invested $45,600 into Challis Golf Course, including $16,000 to expand the cart barn, $12,500 for a mower, $8,600 for equipment repairs, $4,000 on general maintenance and $4,000 on security cameras. Source: Challis Messenger

Jefferson County

  • The 13,000 square-foot Drop 208 Pickleball Club opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News

Madison County

  • Rink 99, an ice-skating and hockey establishment, opened in Sugar City. Source: East Idaho News
  • Three food trucks — Corndog Company, Lemon Smashers and Dip Stix — consolidated into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • A new restaurant, Masala Indian Cuisine, opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • WinCo grocery store is building in a large new Rexburg development called Squires subdivision and will employ up to 200 people. Source: East Idaho News
  • Going the way of automation, the C-A-L Ranch store in Rexburg is piloting a new inventory robot called Simbe’s Tally around the store for gathering restocking and pricing data. The store will implement robots at all 55 stores next year.  C-A-L Ranch reports it’s not going to replace employees, but rather free them up for other tasks. Source: KIFI
  • Rexburg Soup Kitchen is opening in town using an own-nothing model. It will prepare and serve food brought in by local pantries and locally contracted providers to feed 125 people a day. Source: KIFI

Teton County

  • Summit School of the Arts purchased 4,000 square feet of commercial space at Arrowhead Plaza in Driggs. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The city of Victor land that was not included in the area of impact zoning in December, went back into county zoning. Many of the land parcels received different zoning outside of the area of impact. The new boundaries were reduced by 82% or 4,300 acres. This coincides with the utility logistics of the city and considers which parcels could be annexed in the next five years. The city kept similar zones surrounding each other to prevent urban sprawl and contrasting densities and to promote potential growth closer to the city with open spaces toward the foothills. Source: Teton Valley News
  • The Teton County Agriculture Protection Areas Commission was established to help producers of agriculture register their land parcels as an Agricultural Protected Area to last 20 years at low cost and high benefit. Farm, ranch and forest land has been going to development because of the difficulty agriculturists have in passing down their land to family without subdividing it. Source: Teton Valley News
  • City of Driggs projects for 2025 include new parks or enhancements to parks including Shoshoni Plains, Valley Centre and the skate park. They are also finalizing a master plan for a brand-new park called Woods Creek. Source: Teton Valley News

Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – December 2023 and 2024

  • Generally, homes are sitting on the market much longer than they did this time last year in most east Idaho counties. Supply is also building up since the inventory of active listings in most local counties is also substantially more than it was this time last year. The only over-the-year price reductions in homes sold were in the three most rural counties and that was relatively very few homes sold. Otherwise, home prices have been holding steady in the region since last year.
Figure 5.
Median price soldDec-24Dec-23Change
Bonneville$428,975$420,0002.1%
Butte$191,500$247,000-22.5%
Clark$200,000$240,000-16.7%
Custer$597,500$575,0003.9%
Fremont$750,000$699,0007.3%
Jefferson$498,000$495,0000.6%
Lemhi$530,000$600,000-11.7%
Madison$408,725$379,9007.6%
Teton$995,000$649,50053.2%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics
Figure 6.
Active listings (inventory)Dec-24Dec-23Change
Bonneville38532020.3%
Butte1421-33.3%
Clark110.0%
Custer353016.7%
Fremont91874.6%
Jefferson897321.9%
Lemhi484020.0%
Madison7685-10.6%
Teton12110317.5%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 7.
Median days on marketDec-24Dec-23Change
Bonneville5961-3.3%
Butte1389053.3%
Clark7131-94.7%
Custer12110317.5%
Fremont13110327.2%
Jefferson867810.3%
Lemhi105121-13.2%
Madison895464.8%
Teton1049015.6%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 8.
Total homes pending saleDec-24Dec-23Change
Bonneville114116-1.7%
Butte35-40.0%
Clark12-50.0%
Custer122500.0%
Fremont1718-5.6%
Jefferson27270.0%
Lemhi62200.0%
Madison251747.1%
Teton4458-24.1%
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.

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, December 2024

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Regional labor market information

  • Labor force estimates for November 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have both total employment and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, November’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 324 people, with 116 more employed people and 208 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region increased to 3.1% since last month and is 0.6 percentage points higher than November 2023.
Figure 1.
Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted dataNov-24 (P)Oct-24 (P)Nov-23 (B)
Civilian labor force133,100132,776129,487
Total employment128,800128,684126,093
Unemployment4,3004,0923,394
% of labor force unemployed3.23.12.6
P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked
Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • There were an estimated 941 unique, deduplicated job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for November 2024, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online. (This is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 941 postings are a 25% decrease from 1,259 the prior month, but a 2% increase from 922 year over year. Registered nurses remained the top occupation of unique job postings in the region for November. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings this month were merchandise displayers, software developers, maintenance repair workers, computer programmers and mental health counselors. Employer hiring demand based on quantity of job postings did not increase for any occupations since last month. Job postings decreased for all other carryover occupations from the month prior, including 52% for heavy truck drivers, 51% for retail salespersons and 20% for registered nurses.
Figure 2.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, November 2024Postings
Registered nurses45
Retail salespersons27
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers21
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers21
Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers21
Software developers19
Customer service representatives19
General maintenance and repair workers16
Computer programmers15
Mental health counselors12
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • Finance and insurance replaced educational services in the top five of regional industries by quantity of job postings this month. Industry hiring demand by job postings increased over the month by 35% in finance and insurance and by 11% in public administration industries. Job postings decreased over the month by 45% in educational services, 41% in professional, scientific and technical services, 30% in waste management and remediation, 37% in construction, 20% in transportation and warehousing, 19% in wholesale trade and 16% in health care and social assistance industries.
Figure 3.
Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, November 2024Postings
Health care and social assistance147
Finance and insurance100
Professional, scientific and technical services98
Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services84
Retail trade75
Manufacturing62
Wholesale trade50
Construction40
Educational services40
Public administration36
Transportation and warehousing20
Accommodation and food services19
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast
  • November data on the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, by highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, include registered nurses, general and operations managers and project management specialists. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in November by occupational family were health care practitioners and technical and management. All occupations were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list, except accountants, general and operations managers and registered nurses.
Figure 4.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, November 2024Days to fillPostings
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers2421
Registered nurses2345
General and operations managers1810
Accountants and auditors189
Cashiers179
Radiologic technologists and technicians175
Stockers and order fillers165
Driver and sales workers1312
Retail salespersons927
Physical therapists79
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Regional news

  • According to Natural Resources Conservation Services mountain data from SNOTEL, the five runoff basins that comprise eastern Idaho have an average year-to-date snow water equivalent measuring 82% of median, but only 68% of median for average year-to-date precipitation. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Services
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration to aid businesses impacted by wildfires, including the Bench Lake and Wapiti Fires that began July 11. This makes assistance available in Butte, Custer and Lemhi counties to offset economic losses. Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
  • A new memorandum of understanding between Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Idaho State University begins collaborative research in critical and strategic minerals and materials, as well as environmental sustainability and security. This research involves the study and development of materials vital to technology and industrial processes that are also at risk of supply disruptions. Some of these critical minerals are mined in eastern Idaho. Environmental sustainability research will include carbon reduction, sequestration and storage technologies, digitization and artificial intelligence, geothermal energy, as well as spent fuel storage and disposition. Sources: INL and Post Register
  • Allegiant Airlines is adding a new stop to Denver from Idaho Falls Regional Airport starting May 2025. Source: KIFI

Bonneville County

  • Cielito Lindo, a new Mexican restaurant, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Christmas Caboose, an old train caboose present along a riverbank in Idaho Falls for decades, has been turned into a seasonal drive-thru treat shop. Source: East Idaho News
  • Bumble and Bleat, a soap boutique, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
  • A speakeasy called Soiled Dove opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • JB’s Soda Barn in Idaho Falls is permanently closing. Source: East Idaho News
  • The city of Idaho Falls completed the entire citywide fiber network for residential use ahead of schedule. Installation teams invented technology and designed ground-boring equipment to minimize above-ground digging. Construction totaled $45 million. There are currently over 8,500 customers using the network and six service providers. On average there are 200-300 new installations per month. Source: City of Idaho Falls
  • The four-acre Gem Prep Charter School lot in Ammon’s Bridgewater neighborhood was sold to Caliber Customs for construction of 17 townhomes. The zoning was previously designated as parks, schools and churches but is now zoned as residential. Source: Post Register
  • The city of Idaho Falls accepted a $2.6 million bid to construct a new fire station on the north side of the city. Source: Post Register
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Kid to Kid, Idaho Falls Festival of Trees and Candy Cane Lane. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce

Custer County

  • The Challis City Council went ahead with preliminary plat approval for the Centerra Park subdivision to develop 14 new single-family homes for workers employed at Thompson Creek Mine. The single large lot owned by Thompson Creek will be subdivided into quarter to a half-acre lots and sold. Source: Challis Messenger
  • A 10-year federal permit was issued to Electra, a mining company in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, for 91 copper and cobalt locations and hundreds of potential drill targets, strengthening domestic critical mineral production needed for electric vehicle batteries. Source: Challis Messenger

Fremont County

  • Fremont County Joint School District 251 has announced upgrades to career technical education classrooms and a new greenhouse to support culinary arts, big game processing, agricultural education, industrial technology and management programs. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal
  • The city of Ashton approved a new city code officially allowing for short-term rentals in residential areas with initial and annual registration fees. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

Jefferson County

  • The former business owners of Thrifty Nickel, which shuttered in September, opened a new establishment called Innovative Ink, a printshop in Menan. Source: East Idaho News
  • Mountain Top Print Shop, a custom printing business, opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
  • Sweet Swirls ice cream shop opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
  • Post Holdings, Inc., a St. Louis firm, is acquiring Rigby-based Potato Products of Idaho LLC who employ 163 workers to manufacture, and package refrigerated and frozen potato products. Source: Post Holdings press release
  • Kelly Canyon ski resort opened for the season. They now boast three snowmaking guns, new power and a retention pond. They have also installed a new triple-seat chair lift. Their 10-year plan includes new lodging, another ski lift, zip lines and a mountain coaster. Source: Post Register

Madison County

  • Links Indoor Golf opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • Rexburg city council approved the Adara at Teton Lakes subdivision plat. The development is 62 acres and will contain 157 building lots. Source: Rexburg Standard Journal

Teton County

  • The Idaho Supreme Court ruled in favor of Teton Creek Resort, LLC in their case with Teton County, allowing the resort to move forward with plans to record its condominium plat and obtain necessary building permits. Source: Teton Valley News

Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – November 2023 and 2024

Figure 5.
Median price soldNov-24Nov-23Change
Bonneville$445,000$417,4506.6%
Butte$192,500$258,000-25.4%
Clark$245,000$212,50015.3%
Custer$499,950$625,000-20.0%
Fremont$750,000$687,0009.2%
Jefferson$525,000$516,2501.7%
Lemhi$555,000$665,500-16.6%
Madison$399,000$399,0000%
Teton$995,000$818,50021.6%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics
Figure 6.
Active listings (inventory)Nov-24Nov-23Change
Bonneville39734016.8%
Butte1623-30.4%
Clark12-50.0%
Custer463148.4%
Fremont11410112.9%
Jefferson1068524.7%
Lemhi534420.5%
Madison95950%
Teton13710232.4%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 7.
Median days on marketNov-24Nov-23Change
Bonneville574721.3%
Butte1088428.6%
Clark1675-78.7%
Custer97101-4.0%
Fremont1169226.1%
Jefferson73687.4%
Lemhi99108-8.3%
Madison80800%
Teton1179424.5%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 8.
Total homes pending saleNov-24Nov-23Change
Bonneville16714515.2%
Butte330%
Clark12-50.0%
Custer6450.0%
Fremont302050.0%
Jefferson39382.6%
Lemhi124200.0%
Madison31310%
Teton544035.0%
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.

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, November 2024

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Regional labor market information

  • Labor force estimates for October 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have total employment increasing, but unemployment decreasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, October’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 286, with 215 more employed people and 71 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region remained unchanged at 3% and 0.3 percentage points higher than October 2023.
Figure 1.
Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted dataOct-24 (P)Sep-24 (P)Oct-23 (B)
Civilian labor force132,789132,503129,349
Total employment128,696128,481125,883
Unemployment4,0934,0223,466
% of labor force unemployed3.03.02.7
P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked
Source: Idaho Department of Labor

  • There were an estimated 1,259 unique job postings in the eastern Idaho labor market for October 2024, according to The Conference Board: Help Wanted Online (this is regional online job postings data and not necessarily job openings data.) The 1,259 postings are a 3% decrease from 1,294 the prior month and a 12% year-over-year increase from 1,140. Registered nurses were the top occupation of unique (deduplicated) job postings in the region for October. New to the top occupations by quantity of job postings this month were radiologic technologists and physical therapists. Employer hiring demand from a job postings perspective increased 4% for retail salespersons, 26% for hand laborers and material movers and 11% for general and operations managers. Job postings decreased for all other carryover occupations from the month prior.
Figure 2.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, October 2024Postings
Registered nurses56
Retail salespersons55
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers44
Radiologic technologists and technicians34
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers29
Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers23
Customer service representatives21
Secretaries and administrative assistants20
General and operations managers18
Physical therapists16
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

  • This month, educational services replaced manufacturing in the top five of regional industries by quantity of job postings. Industry hiring demand based on job postings increased over the month in health care and social assistance by 5%, waste management and remediation services by 15%, education services by 22%, other services by 28% and finance and insurance by 37%. Areas that saw a decrease in job postings over the month were public administration by 36%, manufacturing by 30%; professional, scientific and technical services by 26%; transportation and warehousing by 24% and wholesale trade industries by 18%.
Figure 3.
Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, October 2024Postings
Health care and social assistance176
Professional, scientific and technical services165
Retail Trade141
Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services120
Educational services73
Finance and insurance65
Construction63
Manufacturing62
Wholesale trade62
Other services36
Public administration32
Real estate and rental leasing28
Transportation and warehousing25
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

  • October data on the hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, in terms of highest median job posting duration and multiple unique job postings, include registered nurses, general and operations managers and project management specialists. Hardest-to-fill job posting challenges in October by occupational family were health care practitioners, technical and management. All occupations were new to this month’s hardest-to-fill jobs list, except general and operations managers and registered nurses.
Figure 4.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, October 2024Days to fillPostings
Medical and health services managers258
Speech-language pathologists256
Financial managers247
General and operations managers2018
Project management specialists1813
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmotologists179
Accounts and auditors177
Registered nurses1656
Computer programmers166
All other physicians166
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Regional news

  • Yellowstone National Park hosted 838,458 visitors last month, the second highest September on record. So far in 2024, the park has hosted 4,349,689 recreation visits, an increase of 5% since 2023. The year-to-date numbers are just 120,000 lower than in 2021, the park’s record-setting year. Source: National Park Service
  • The Idaho Falls Regional Airport received $2.5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for expanding the terminal’s outbound baggage processing, ticketing, airline offices and baggage screening areas. Construction will begin in the Spring of 2025. Source: KIFI
  • The U.S. and Idaho Departments of Agriculture partnered with the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, awarding the following equipment and infrastructure grants for increased capacity and output in eastern Idaho to:
    • Farr Candy Co. in Idaho Falls  – $95,000 for equipment to increase ice cream manufacturing.
    • Salmon Valley Stewardship in Salmon – $99,620 for a community commercial kitchen for regional producers and food businesses.
    • Walters Produce 2.0 in Newdale – $96,023 for potato line improvements to increase capacity. Source: Capital Press
  • The new Arco Wind and Solar project located outside of Idaho Falls was approved by the Idaho board of land commissioners, becoming the first wind and solar farm on Idaho endowment land. The 49-year lease will be developed by Pacificorp on 11,000 acres for 10 to 12 wind turbines and 2,000-5,000 acres for solar generator equipment. Source: KIFI
  • Bonneville, Teton, Fremont, Jefferson and Madison Counties are eligible to apply for low-interest federal Small Business Administration disaster loans to offset economic losses due to reduced revenue from the draught that began Aug. 13. Source: U.S. Small Business Administration

Bonneville County

  • A new retail establishment, Kid to Kid, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Amazing Glaze Donuts opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Game Grid, a tabletop gaming retailer, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Vast Apparel opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • Budget Binzz, a retail shop, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • North 40 Adventures, a new clothing, boutique and sporting goods shop, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • Another location of Park Avenue Grill opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • 208 Outlets, an overstock liquidation company, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
  • Burly Burger, a restaurant chain based in Utah, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: East Idaho News
  • OneZo, a boba tea store, opened in Idaho Falls. Source: Idaho Falls Magazine
  • Rediscovered Treasures, an Idaho Falls consignment shop, is permanently closing. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • Bill’s Bike and Snow, a retailer in Idaho Falls, is permanently closing. Source: Idaho Department of Labor
  • The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce announced ribbon cutting and/or groundbreaking ceremonies at Vast Apparel, U.S. Bank, The Little Play Hut Play Café, Transformative Journey Healthcare, North 40 Adventures and United Energy Workers Healthcare. These establishments either opened their doors within the past six months, moved to a new location due to expansion, or have remodeled or expanded their current location. Source: Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Idaho Falls Transit was inducted into the Idaho Transportation Department’s Hall of Fame for Innovation as something unique, not previously applied in the public transportation industry. The data obtained through this project will lead to further planning and recommendations for other services and possible expansion to surrounding areas. By the end of October 2024, the transit company gave over 220,000 rides in Idaho Falls. The program is planning to add five additional vehicles over the next six months. Source: KIFI
  • The Bonneville School District’s $5.8 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Idaho Falls School District’s $1.6 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
  • The city of Ammon’s $1.25 million street levy passed. Source: East Idaho News

Clark County

  • The Clark County School District’s $500,000 supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News

Custer County

  • Challis City Council reversed an ordinance and will now allow tiny homes, including five small, manufactured homes, to be parked inside the Round Valley RV Park. Source: Challis Messenger
  • The Challis School District’s $1.4 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News

Fremont County

  • Wooden Nickel Stained Glass, a retailer in St. Anthony, is permanently closing. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Fremont County School District’s $3 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News

Jefferson County

  • Idaho Elite K9 Training and Boarding Suites opened in Rigby. Source: East Idaho News
  • The Ririe School District’s $745,000 supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
  • The West Jefferson School District’s $720,000 supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News
  • The former U.S. Bank building in Rigby was sold to an undisclosed business. Source: Idaho Business Review
  • The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a $1 million purchase for 37 acres of land to be used as a gravel pit for the Road and Bridge Department and for landfill expansion. Source: Jefferson Star

Madison County

  • Great Clips hair salon opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • Sumo Boba, a drink shop, opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News
  • Masala Indian Cuisine opened in Rexburg. Source: East Idaho News

Teton County

  • The Teton School District’s $9.9 million supplemental levy passed. Source: East Idaho News

Eastern Idaho residential real estate statistics – October 2023 and 2024

Figure 5.
Median price soldSep-24Sep-23Change
Bonneville$450,000$429,7254.7%
Butte$198,000$270,500-26.8%
Clark$240,000$216,18811.0%
Custer$499,974$625,000-20.0%
Fremont$747,900$697,0007.3%
Jefferson$525,000$534,375-1.8%
Lemhi$579,750$657,000-11.8%
Madison$398,500$394,7001.0%
Teton$993,750$939,0005.8%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics
Figure 6.
Active listings (inventory)Oct-24Oct-23Change
Bonneville40235712.6%
Butte1822-18.2%
Clark12-50.0%
Custer483441.2%
Fremont14311326.5%
Jefferson1169818.4%
Lemhi584723.4%
Madison998615.1%
Teton13710925.7%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 7.
Median days on marketOct-24Oct-23Change
Bonneville524030.0%
Butte85841.2%
Clark16257184.2%
Custer94106-11.3%
Fremont1058228.0%
Jefferson6477-16.9%
Lemhi97899.0%
Madison744757.4%
Teton978514.1%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 8.
Total homes pending saleOct-24Oct-23Change
Bonneville20115926.4%
Butte440.0%
Clark2N/AN/A
Custer8633.3%
Fremont362450.0%
Jefferson383411.8%
Lemhi660.0%
Madison362733.3%
Teton734949.0%
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.

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, October 2024

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347
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.

Figure 1.
Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted dataSep-24 (P)Aug-24 (P)Sep-23 (B)
Civilian labor force132,732132,372129,691
Total employment128,708128,215126,285
Unemployment4,0244,1573,406
% of labor force unemployed3.03.12.6
P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked
Source: Idaho Department of Labor

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.

Figure 2.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in eastern Idaho, September 2024Postings
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers75
Registered nurses61
Retail salespersons53
Customer service representatives28
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical and executive24
Construction laborers24
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers21
Cashiers17
Hand laborers, freight, stock and material movers17
General and operations managers16
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.

Figure 3.
Top industries by job unique postings in eastern Idaho, September 2024Postings
Professional, scientific and technical services224
Health care and social assistance168
Retail Trade144
Administrative, support, waste management and remediation services102
Manufacturing89
Wholesale trade76
Construction62
Educational services57
Public administration50
Accommodation and food services42
Finance and insurance41
Transportation and warehousing33
Other services26
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.

Figure 4.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in eastern Idaho, September 2024Days to fillPostings
Mechanical engineers279
Computer systems engineers or architects277
General and operations managers2016
Registered nurses1961
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers1875
Pharmacy technicians1716
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers1621
Underground mining loading and moving machine operators167
First-line supervisors of office and administrative workers148
Sales representatives of wholesale and manufacturing129
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
Figure 5.
Median price soldSep-24Sep-23Change
Bonneville$462,000$439,9005.0%
Butte$241,250$269,000-10.3%
Clark$240,000$224,7506.8%
Custer$499,450$500,000-0.1%
Fremont$716,225$699,0002.5%
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
Figure 6.
Active listings (inventory)Sep-24Sep-23Change
Bonneville40933023.9%
Butte1421-33.3%
Clark12-50.0%
Custer463148.4%
Fremont15111828.0%
Jefferson12210120.8%
Lemhi605117.6%
Madison1108923.6%
Teton16413818.8%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 7.
Median days on marketSep-24Sep-23Change
Bonneville50468.7%
Butte785250.0%
Clark16226523.1%
Custer94105-10.5%
Fremont906636.4%
Jefferson5760-5.0%
Lemhi8097-17.5%
Madison685719.3%
Teton876435.9%
Source: RDC Inventory Core Metrics#Colspan##Colspan##Colspan#
Figure 8.
Total homes pending saleSep-24Sep-23Change
Bonneville19016912.4%
Butte71600.0%
Clark2N/AN/A
Custer78-12.5%
Fremont342725.9%
Jefferson3031-3.2%
Lemhi7616.7%
Madison373312.1%
Teton17253224.5%
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.

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, September 2024

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Region

Labor force estimates for August 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics have total employment and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, August’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 352 people, with 333 more employed people and 19 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the region remained at 3.1%, the same as June 2024, and 0.4 percentage points higher than July 2023.

Figure 1.

Eastern Idaho, seasonally adjusted dataAug-24 (P)Jul-24 (P)Aug-23 (B)
Civilian labor force132,539132,187128,928
Total employment128,375128,042125,499
Unemployment4,1644,1453,429
% of labor force unemployed3.13.12.7
P – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked
Source: Idaho Department of Labor

Continue reading

Around Eastern Idaho: Economic activity, August 2024

Ryan Whitesides, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2347

Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties

Region

Labor force estimates for July 2024 from the Idaho Department of Labor’s Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) have both total employment increasing and unemployment increasing in the nine-county eastern region. Seasonally adjusted, July’s preliminary estimates have labor force participants increasing by 1,754 people, with 1,578 more employed people and 176 more unemployed people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.1%, 0.1 percentage points higher than June 2024 and a half a percent higher than July 2023.

Continue reading