Around Northern Idaho: Economic activity, 2024

Sam Wolkenhauer, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2353

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 dataAug-24 (P)July-24 (R)Aug-23 (B)
Civilian labor force127,977127,300126,401
Total employment121,686121,180121,231
Unemployment6,2916,1205,170
% of labor force unemployed4.9%4.8%4.1%
Source: Idaho Department of LaborP – Preliminary, R – Revised, B – Benchmarked

Figure 2.
Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in northern Idaho, July 2024Postings, Aug-24Postings, Aug-23
Retail salespersons6873
Registered nurses6492
Laborers, freight, stock, material movers and hand4060
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers4022
Home health and personal care aides3843
Fast food and counter workers3827
Customer service representatives3537
Medical and health service managers3314
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers2941
Cashiers2823
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Figure 3.
Top 10 industries by unique job postings in northern Idaho, August 2024Postings, Aug-24
Postings, Aug-23
Health care and social assistance273309
Retail trade260288
Administrative and support services202221
Manufacturing122144
Accommodation and food services118137
Finance and insurance7885
Professional, scientific and technical services7094
Wholesale trade6973
Educational services5056
Construction4755
Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast

Figure 4.
Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in northern Idaho, August 2024Median duration, Aug-24Median duration, Aug-23
Automotive and watercraft service attendants27N/A
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks27N/A
Sewing machine operators27N/A
Electricians26N/A
Preschool teachers, except special education25N/A
Cement masons and concrete finishers2519
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers24N/A
Cashiers23N/A
Sales representatives, technical and scientific products23N/A
Machinists2310
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.

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 Northern Idaho: Economic activity, August 2024

Sam Wolkenhauer, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 696-2353

Region

  • Labor demand in northern Idaho remained stable in July, 2024, with a total of 2,043 unique job postings in the region – a slight uptick from 1,872 in June. The unemployment rate rose slightly in July from 4.6% to 4.8%, increasing by a full percentage point from July 2023. Overall, total employment has decreased slightly over the last year.

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