Montana unemployment slightly up

Montana’s unemployment rate increased

narrowly by 0.2 percent in June despite adding 3,000 jobs in the

last quarter.

The Department of Labor and Industry

reports that Montana’s unemployment rate is at 7.5 percent, below

the national rate of 9.2 percent. Montana has the 16th lowest

unemployment rate in the U.S.

“The U.S. economic recovery has slowed

in recent months, which has hampered Montana’s economic recovery,”

reports Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. “Despite these headwinds,

Montana’s economy has expanded in the last quarter, adding about

3,000 jobs.”

Flathead County’s unemployment rate

remains in the double-digits at 11.4 percent, representing 5,144

residents out-of-work. The county’s employed work force is at about

40,158.

Lincoln and Sanders counties account

for the state’s highest unemployment rate at 15 and 14.5 percent,

respectively. Glacier county’s unemployment rate is 12.2

percent.

Fallon, Wibaux and McCone counties in

eastern Montana have the lowest unemployment rates, each slightly

above 3 percent.

Nationally, North Dakota boasts the

lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. at 3.2 percent. South Dakota

isn’t far off the pace at 4.8 percent.

Nevada and California are in the worst

shape with unemployment rates of 12.4 and 11.8 percent,

respectively.