Idaho Economy & Jobs

Idaho Senate Republicans are working to keep our economy strong. Under Republican leadership, Idaho continues to make incredible gains in jobs and economic growth. Here are some of Idaho's most recent economic rankings:

1st in Household Income Growth

Idaho had the highest growth in Median Household Income in the nation, by far, from 2017 to 2018.

13th Nationwide & 1st in the West in Personal Income Growth

Idaho had the thirteenth-highest growth in personal income nationwide, and first-highest in the entire Western US, for the Third Quarter of 2019.

8th in GDP Growth

Idaho had the eighth-highest growth in state Gross Domestic Product, which measures the total value of goods and services produced, for the Third Quarter of 2019.

6th-Lowest Unemployment Rate

Idaho has 3.1 percent unemployment, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 6th lowest rate in America.

8th-Lowest Poverty Rate

Idaho’s poverty rate, using the Supplemental Poverty Measure which factors in government assistance, is the eighth-lowest in the nation. (See pages 28-29 in link)

3rd for Women-Owned Business’ Economic Clout

Idaho tied for third-highest state for the economic clout – “defined as growth in the number of firms and growth in employment and revenue” – of women-owned businesses from 2014 to 2019.

5th-Best State for Business

Idaho ranks fifth in US News’ 10 Best States for Business, which measures the lowest tax burden and most venture capital investments. Idaho had a business creation rate of 4.1%, the highest rate of any state.

9th-Best Tax-wise for Low-Income Earners, 11th-Best for Middle-Income Earners

According to a WalletHub analysis of the liberal Institute for Tax & Economic Policy’s annual "Who Pays?" report, Idaho is the 9th-best state from a tax perspective for low-income earners, the 11th best for middle-income earners, and the 16th-best for high-income earners.