Employment up slightly in state, Hill County sees bigger gains

Montana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly by 0.1 percent to 7.3 percent in October due to a slight decline in the labor force. The U. S. rate remained unchanged at 9.6 percent.

At the same time, the jobless rate on the Hi-Line took a substantial tumble.

"This slight decrease in the unemployment rate is an indicator that job growth remains tepid in Montana, " said state Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "Both the employment and labor force estimates declined slightly over the month. "

Montana posted job gains through the first half of 2010, but wavered slightly in the third quarter. Payroll employment estimates fell by 200 jobs in October following a decline of about 1,000 jobs last month. The estimate for the total number of Montanans who are working, including agricultural, payroll and self-employed workers, posted a loss of 710 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Locally:

• In Hill County, the jobless rate in October was 4.8 percent, down from 5.2 percent in September. A total of 410 people were out of work.

• Liberty County unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, down from 5.1 percent in September. Thirty-two people were out of work.

• In Chouteau County, 4.2 percent of the workforce was jobless, a decrease from 4.7 percent a month earlier. A total of 108 people were out of work.

• Blaine County unemployment rate was 5.3 percent down from 5.6 percent in September. A total of 103 people were jobless.

Montana's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly by 0.1 percent to 7.3 percent in October due to a slight decline in the labor force. The U. S. rate remained unchanged at 9.6 percent.

At the same time, the jobless rate on the Hi-Line took a substantial tumble.

"This slight decrease in the unemployment rate is an indicator that job growth remains tepid in Montana, " said state Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "Both the employment and labor force estimates declined slightly over the month. "

Montana posted job gains through the first half of 2010, but wavered slightly in the third quarter. Payroll employment estimates fell by 200 jobs in October following a decline of about 1,000 jobs last month. The estimate for the total number of Montanans who are working, including agricultural, payroll and self-employed workers, posted a loss of 710 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Locally:

• In Hill County, the jobless rate in October was 4.8 percent, down from 5.2 percent in September. A total of 410 people were out of work.
• Liberty County unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, down from 5.1 percent in September. Thirty-two people were out of work.
• In Chouteau County, 4.2 percent of the workforce was jobless, a decrease from 4.7 percent a month earlier. A total of 108 people were out of work.
• Blaine County unemployment rate was 5.3 percent down from 5.6 percent in September. A total of 103 people were jobless.