Flathead County’s unemployment rate dropped for the third consecutive month, falling slightly to 9.6 percent in June from 9.7 percent a month earlier. Meanwhile, Montana’s rate inched up.
Statewide, the unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent, up from 6.3 percent in May, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. The national unemployment reached a 26-year high of 9.5 percent in June, and many economists expect it to keep ticking up for several months.
While Flathead’s unemployment rate is well below its yearly high of 12.7 percent, the county is still home to the third-highest rate in the state, following Lincoln County, 12.8 percent, and Sanders County, 12.5 percent. Other northwest Montana counties continue to be the hardest hit by recession, with the state reporting that the June unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in Glacier County, 8.7 percent in Mineral County and 7.6 percent in Lake County.
State Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly says that the statewide unemployment numbers holding steady is good news after the dramatic increases in the first quarter of the year. He noted that the unemployment rate in Montana continues to stay far below the national unemployment rate.
Around the country, unemployment topped 10 percent in 15 states and the District of Columbia for June.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Highest Unemployment Rates in Montana for June, by County:
Lincoln – 12.8
Sanders – 12.5
Flathead – 9.6
Glacier – 9.5
Roosevelt – 9
Mineral – 8.7
Big Horn – 8.5
Granite – 8.3
Meagher – 8.3
Powell – 8.2Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry