Montana’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.7 percent in December, as the state added about 1,100 jobs.

The national unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points, to 3.9 percent, during that same time period.

“Montana’s economy remains strong heading into a new year,” Gov. Steve Bullock said in a statement that accompanied release of the December figures.

“But let us not forget that the hundreds of federal employees currently going without a paycheck due to the federal government shutdown will have impacts on our economy and unemployment in January,” he said. “Here in Montana, we will keep working together to get things done while we weather this weight on our economy and on the people of Montana.”

Unemployment rates are calculated using the employment status of a worker for the week of the 12th each month. Therefore, workers furloughed during the federal shutdown, which began on December 22, will be counted as unemployed in January.

Total employment of Montana workers, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, showed a sizeable increase in jobs during December. But the unemployment rate remained steady because of a corresponding increase in the labor force of 1,255 people.

Payroll employment indicated jobs gains of 300, with small changes across all industries, according to Friday’s report.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined in December because of a sharp decrease in gasoline prices. Gas prices decreased by 7.5 percent over the month. The index for all items less food and energy, also called core inflation, increased 0.2 percent in December.

The chart below shows the unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s56 counties. County unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the unadjusted statewide unemployment rate of 3.9 percent.

 

 Unemployment RateEmployment
RankCountyCurrent Unemployment RateChange over YearCurrent EmploymentJob Change from Last Year
1McCone2.0-0.39599
2Carter2.1-0.768825
3Fallon2.4-0.21,575-81
4Daniels2.5-0.587911
5Gallatin2.7-0.364,4291,986
5Liberty2.70.195630
7Richland2.8-0.45,430-415
7Sweet Grass2.8-0.41,73931
7Toole2.8-0.61,944-41
10Garfield2.90.176837
10Powder River2.9-0.59604
12Dawson3.00.24,388-103
13Sheridan3.10.21,736-54
14Custer3.3-0.25,805-143
14Treasure3.3-0.43248
14Valley3.30.33,909-71
17Chouteau3.40.32,40538
17Yellowstone3.4-0.278,575278
19Lewis and Clark3.5-0.233,133-362
20Beaverhead3.6-0.14,84489
20Hill3.60.07,68050
20Prairie3.6-0.44583
23Cascade3.7-0.236,541-43
23Deer Lodge3.7-0.64,806-48
23Madison3.7-0.74,533135
23Missoula3.7-0.260,901995
23Teton3.7-0.52,555-5
28Carbon3.80.15,18747
29Meagher3.9-1.087722
29Stillwater3.9-0.24,581-30
31Broadwater4.1-0.72,43842
31Jefferson4.1-0.35,264-43
31Judith Basin4.10.28927
31Musselshell4.1-1.02,1865
35Fergus4.2-0.75,44420
35Roosevelt4.20.14,357-37
35Silver Bow4.2-0.316,182-106
35Wibaux4.21.0436-14
39Lake4.3-0.312,888327
40Park4.4-0.78,212226
40Phillips4.4-0.91,81014
40Pondera4.40.42,5944
40Powell4.4-0.32,674-27
44Blaine4.5-0.22,24931
44Ravalli4.5-0.319,223409
46Petroleum4.7-0.92616
46Rosebud4.7-0.63,672-45
48Wheatland5.0-0.374126
49Golden Valley5.1-1.33576
50Flathead5.2-0.345,0841,021
51Granite5.3-0.21,49513
52Sanders6.3-1.14,473117
53Glacier7.70.15,052-8
53Mineral7.7-1.81,421-12
55Big Horn7.8-3.54,742-74
56Lincoln8.0-0.77,06985

The chart below shows the unemployment rate and ranking for each of Montana’s seven reservations is provided below.  Reservation unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the unadjusted statewide unemployment rate of 3.9percent. Reservation areas overlap with county areas, meaning that unemployed individuals living on a reservation will be included in both the reservation and county totals.

 Unemployment RateEmployment
RankCountyCurrent Unemployment RateChange over YearCurrent EmploymentJob Change from Last Year
1Flathead4.6-0.312,593317
2Fort Peck5.40.23,907-38
3Fort Belknap10.2-0.87399
4Blackfeet10.70.13,580-5
5Rocky Boy's11.40.21,09310
6Crow11.7-5.02,398-33
7Northern Cheyenne11.9-2.31,296-18

 

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