Montana Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Montana fell 0.3 percentage points in December 2011 to 6.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.7 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Montana peaked in August 2011 at 7.8% and is now 1.0 percentage points lower. You can also see Montana unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Montana	6.8%	-0.3	-0.6

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Montana, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Montana Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Montana peaked in August 2011 at 39,071. There are now 4,991 fewer people unemployed in the state. Montana job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Montana	34,080	-1,787	-2,753

Number of Unemployed Persons

Montana Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Montana Unemployment Rate	Montana Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	6.8%	34,080
November 2011	8.7%	7.1%	35,867
October 2011	8.9%	7.6%	38,097
September 2011	9.0%	7.7%	38,680
August 2011	9.1%	7.8%	39,071
July 2011	9.1%	7.7%	38,633
June 2011	9.1%	7.5%	37,815
May 2011	9.0%	7.3%	36,734
April 2011	9.0%	7.3%	36,573
March 2011	8.9%	7.4%	36,810
February 2011	9.0%	7.4%	36,990
January 2011	9.1%	7.5%	37,257