Jobless rate inches up in state, Hi-Line

Jobless rate inches up in state, Hi-Line

John Kelleher

The jobless rate in Montana and on the Hi-Line inched up last month.

Despite this increase, the statewide rate is still lower than the national jobless rate, and unemployment on the Hi-Line is lower than in the state as a whole.

According to figures released by the state this morning, employment dropped by 2,600 in August. Most of the losses were government jobs connected to the U.S. Census.

A total of 7.4 percent of the work force was jobless, the report said. That is up .1 percent from July.

"Montana's unemployment rate mirrored the national economy by increasing slightly in August," said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "Although both the U.S. and Montana economies are in recovery, job growth remains slow."

In Hi-Line counties:

• Hill County's unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, up from 5.5 percent in July. A total of 488 Hill County residents were jobless.

• Blaine County's jobless rate was 5.5 percent in August, up from 5.2 percent in July. A total of 148 people were out of work.

• In Liberty County, 5.3 percent of the work force was jobless. In July, the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent. Thirty-six Liberty County residents were out of work.

• Chouteau County's jobless rate was 4.5 percent, up from 4.1 percent in July. A total of 112 people were out of work.

The jobless rate in Montana and on the Hi-Line inched up last month.

Despite this increase, the statewide rate is still lower than the national jobless rate, and unemployment on the Hi-Line is lower than in the state as a whole.

According to figures released by the state this morning, employment dropped by 2,600 in August. Most of the losses were government jobs connected to the U.S. Census.

A total of 7.4 percent of the work force was jobless, the report said. That is up .1 percent from July.

"Montana's unemployment rate mirrored the national economy by increasing slightly in August," said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "Although both the U.S. and Montana economies are in recovery, job growth remains slow."

In Hi-Line counties:

• Hill County's unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, up from 5.5 percent in July. A total of 488 Hill County residents were jobless.
• Blaine County's jobless rate was 5.5 percent in August, up from 5.2 percent in July. A total of 148 people were out of work.
• In Liberty County, 5.3 percent of the work force was jobless. In July, the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent. Thirty-six Liberty County residents were out of work.
• Chouteau County's jobless rate was 4.5 percent, up from 4.1 percent in July. A total of 112 people were out of work.