State of Idaho Idaho Department of Labor
Idaho Department of Labor
 Search News | Events | Contact Us | Site Map

 

 

 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Measuring Underemployment in Idaho

 

Who are the underemployed?

Why measure underemployment? 

Owhyee County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.5% Twin Falls County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 8.4% Cassia County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 11.8% Oneida County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.4% Franklin County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.3% Bear Lake County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.2% Caribou County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 12.4% Bannock County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 6.9% Power County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 11.1% Bonneville County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 5.8% Bingham County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 21.8% Teton County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 5.8% Madison County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 10.1% Fremont County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 17.1% Clark County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.2% Jefferson County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 12.5% Minidoka County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 37.1% Butte County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.3% Jerome County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 7.8% Lincoln County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.7% Blaine County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 17.2% Gooding County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.4% Elmore County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 7.0% Camas County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 0.3% Ada County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 14.3% Custer County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 10.3% Lemhi County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 29.4% Boise County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 18.4% Canyon County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 11.9% Gem County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 7.5% Payette County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 10.8% Valley County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 15.3% Washington County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 7.5% Adams County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 27.1% Idaho County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 12.7% Lewis County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 4.0% Clearwater County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 9.6% Nez Perce Couty 2006 Annual Underemployment Rate: 20.9% Number of Employed: 18,157 Unemployment Rate: 3.9% Latah County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 7.3% Shoshone County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 6.4% Benewah County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 8.6% Kootenai County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 9.4% Bonner County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 11.1% Boundary County 2008 Annual Underemployment Rate: 16.3%

Underemployment Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who are the underemployed?

The definition for underemployment is complex and can vary across disciplines. In general those already working with skill and educational levels that do not match their current occupations or their fringe or salary compensation can be considered underemployed. Also if workers' current jobs do not match their desire to work full time, they can be considered underemployed. The underemployed represent a pool of labor in addition to the unemployed that economic developers and existing businesses can tap.

While Idaho’s unemployment rates are nearly at rock bottom, according the Idaho Department of Labor’s report "Measuring Underemployment in Idaho," unemployment only tells part of the story. The report's underlying theme is that there are many workers in the state who need or want a better job. In addition, the underemployed part of the work force can provide an additional source of labor for new and expanding businesses.

Return to Top

 

Data
 

Publications
 

 
What people are saying about the study
 
"The information contained in the study of underemployment is a breakthrough in how we think about employment and is certainly important to all of us who work in work force areas and could prove to be extremely valuable to those in education and training! If we can match the underemployed with job opportunities that match their skill levels, it should mean increased productivity for companies and increased incomes for individuals."
Con P. Paulos, President, Con Paulos Inc.