State jobless rate stable, up on the Hi-Line

The jobless rate in Montana stayed at 5.4 percent during June.

The state Labor Department called the rate “a pause in the long-term downward trend experienced throughout 2013.”

Still, Montana’s rate was considerably lower than the national rate of 7.6 percent.

“Montana has added more than 2,500 jobs in the last two months, continuing the strong employment growth experienced in 2012,” said Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy. “Montana’s unemployment rate continues to fall, and Montanans are back to work.”

“Montana’s economy got back on track in the second quarter of 2013 after a slow first quarter,” Bucy said. “We added over 1,700 jobs this quarter, and have gained over 6,000 jobs over the last year.”

Along the Hi-Line, the jobless picture was not so bright.

The jobless rate spiked in all four counties. In Hill County, the rate went higher than the state average, which it rarely does.

By county, the rates:

• Hill County the rate was 6.3 percent, up from 5.1 percent a month ago. A total of 539 were out of work.

• Blaine County: The jobless rate was 5.9 percent, up from 4.7 a month ago. In all, 157 people were out of work.

• In Liberty County, 39 people were out of work, bringing the rate to 4.9 percent, up from 3.9 percent last month.

• In Choteau County , the rate rose to 4.1 percent from 3.5 percent. In all, 108 people were jobless.