Strong employment in the second half of 2004 helped Flathead County's annual unemployment rate stay at 6 percent or less for the fifth consecutive year.

An average of 39,269 people were employed here last year, out of a total civilian labor force of 41,786, according to preliminary figures from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Monthly employment ranged from a high of 41,182 in July to a low of 37,684 in March.

The county's unemployment rate first dipped to 6 percent in 2000. It dropped to 5.9 percent the next year and hit a record low of 5.4 percent in 2002, before climbing slightly to about 5.8 percent in 2003.

The Flathead has seen a net increase of about 2,000 jobs during that time, or about 25 percent of the entire statewide job growth.

Prior to 2000, the lowest unemployment rate recorded here since 1970 was 6.6 percent, and it was only less than 7 percent three times during that 30-year period.

However, the 2004 rate could have been much higher - or much lower - had the two halves of the year been consistent: Average unemployment during the first five months of the year was 7.2 percent, compared to 5.2 percent during the last seven months.

In Lincoln County, average unemployment remained in double digits for the 31st consecutive year. However, 2004's annual average of 12.9 percent was a sharp improvement from 2003, when monthly unemployment rates ranged from a low of 12.3 percent in October to a high of 20 percent in March.

Lake County stayed about the same in 2004, with an average rate of 6.5 percent, compared to 6.4 percent in 2003.

Statewide unemployment dropped slightly, from 4.7 percent in 2003 to 4.5 percent last year.

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at [email protected]