Jobless rate, statewide and on Hi-Line, goes down

The jobless rate in Montana declined slightly last month, and continued its downward trend on the Hi-Line.

Statewide, the jobless rate was 7.6 percent in October. For the second month in a row, the unemployment rate declined. 1 percent.

The U. S. unemployment rate also decreased by 0.1 percent to 9.0 percent.

"Montana's economy has seen slight growth in employment, personal income, and gross domestic product, " said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "The recent unemployment declines are encouraging news, and I hope that job growth continues through the holiday season

Kelly said the economy in Montana has been on a slow upward tick since December 2009.

It has been trending upwards during 2011 after little change in 2010. Preliminary estimates for total employment in October indicate continued slow job growth of about 600 jobs, he said.

On the Hi-Line:

• The jobless rate in Hill County was 5.6 percent in October, down 0.2 percent since last month. A total of 8,508 people had jobs; 501 were out of work.
• Blaine County had a jobless rate of 5.9 percent, down from 6.1 percent. A total of 2,764 people had jobs; 174 were out of work.
• In Chouteau County, the rate declined from 4.6 to 4.2 percent. In all, 2,656 had jobs, and 116 were unemployed.
• In Liberty County, the jobless rate was 4.1 percent, down from 4.7 percent in September. Thirty-two people were out of work; 740 had jobs.