State jobless rate drops again

Montana reported another all-time low unemployment rate in March, but Northwest Montana counties lag behind the state as a whole.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped again last month, with the rate ticking down to 2.3%, from 2.4% in February, which is the fourth lowest in the nation, according to statistics released by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Flathead County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in March, down nearly half a percent from the previous month.

The county compares similarly with the national rate of 3.5% unemployment, although it ranks among the bottom counties in Montana. The statewide unadjusted rate for the month was 2.8%.

“With our pro-jobs, pro-family policies and the unparalleled work ethic of Montanans, our economy is setting the standard for the nation,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a press release. “We’ll continue to work with job creators to bring new folks into the workforce and make sure they get the training and skills they need to succeed, thrive and prosper.”

Flathead ranks 43 out of 56 Montana counties in the metric. Sanders, Mineral and Lincoln counties have the state’s highest unemployment rates of 5.5%, 5.9% and 6.1%, respectively. Lake County reported 3.4% unemployment.

The state’s labor force hit a record of more than 559,000 Montanans, with a growth of 33,000 workers from its pandemic-era low.

The statistics show Flathead County has gained over 1,200 jobs since this time last year.

Despite the job growth and low unemployment rate, inflation is still taking a toll on Montana consumers. In March, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.1% over-the-month, with a 5.0% increase in the 12-month change in the all-items index. The index for all items minus food and energy, also called core inflation, increased by 0.4% for the month, with a 5.6% increase in the year ending in March.