(Helena) – Montana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in September, remaining below the national rate of 4.2 percent. State officials report total employment increased by nearly 400 jobs over the month, keeping Montana among the top ten states for lowest unemployment.
On the local level, unadjusted figures show varying job markets across central and northern regions. Fergus, Liberty, and Phillips counties all tied with a 2.1 percent unemployment rate. Blaine County recorded a rate of 2.4 percent, while Chouteau County matched the unadjusted state baseline at 2.5 percent. Hill County reported a slightly higher rate at 2.6 percent.
For regional reservations, unadjusted unemployment rates sit higher but show downward trends from last year. The Rocky Boy’s Reservation recorded a 7.2 percent unemployment rate for September, down 1.7 percentage points over the year. Meanwhile, the Fort Belknap (Bell-Nap) Reservation reported a 9.8 percent unemployment rate, reflecting a 2.9 percentage point decrease from the same time last year.
