Idaho's January Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.7%

State sees job losses in several key sectors, while national unemployment declines

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:39am

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An abstract geometric illustration in bold primary colors, using simple shapes and clean lines to convey economic data about Idaho's job market, including unemployment rate changes and industry-specific employment trends.Geometric visualization of Idaho's shifting economic landscape, as unemployment rises but overall job growth remains positive.Lewiston Today

Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.6% in December to 3.7% in January, as the state's labor force decreased and total employment fell by 504 jobs. Several industry sectors, including Construction, Arts & Entertainment, and Real Estate, experienced notable job losses during the month. However, the state's nonfarm job total remained up 0.8% year-over-year, with gains in sectors like Accommodation & Food Services and Private Education.

Why it matters

Idaho's unemployment rate and job market trends provide important insights into the overall economic health of the state. While the January increase in the jobless rate is concerning, the state's year-over-year job growth suggests the economy remains relatively strong compared to the national picture, where unemployment declined during the same period.

The details

Idaho's labor force decreased by 105 people to 1,009,832 in January, while the labor force participation rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 62.8%. Total employment decreased by 504 (-0.1%) to 972,737, and unemployment increased by 399 (1.1%) to 37,095. The state saw job losses in several key sectors, including Construction (-4.4%), Arts & Entertainment (-4.1%), Federal Government (-2.2%), and Real Estate (-0.9%). However, some industries like Accommodation & Food Services (2.1%) and Private Education (1.1%) added jobs during the month.

  • Idaho's unemployment rate increased from 3.6% in December to 3.7% in January 2026.
  • The state's labor force decreased by 105 people between December and January.
  • Idaho saw a net decrease of 2,400 (-0.3%) nonfarm jobs in January 2026 for a total of 879,700.

The players

Idaho

The state of Idaho, where the unemployment rate and job market trends are being analyzed.

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The takeaway

While the January increase in Idaho's unemployment rate is concerning, the state's overall job market remains relatively strong, with year-over-year gains in several key sectors. However, the declines in certain industries like Construction and Arts & Entertainment bear watching, as they could signal broader economic challenges ahead for the state.