POST FALLS - Kootenai County's jobless rate decreased one-tenth of a percent to 7.4 percent in October, according to an Idaho Department of Labor report released on Friday.

"Some were affected by the government shutdown as non-farm employment fell by approximately 300 from September to October," said Alivia Metts, regional labor economist. "The losses were hit largely in the leisure and hospitality industry and the little gains came from health services."

Of the 1,064 new unemployment claims filed in Kootenai County throughout October, 104 were from federal workers as a result of the government shutdown.

Construction activity is still growing as employment in the industry is showing signs of recovery, Metts said.

"As for winter employment, I think with construction and real estate seeing movement, consumer confidence is up, which will help the retail industry in their upcoming holiday shopping season," Metts said.

Idaho's jobless rate also decreased one-tenth of a percent in October to 6.7 percent, while the nation's rate increased one-tenth to 7.3. The nation's number reflects the temporary layoff of federal employees during the government shutdown the first 16 days of October.

Idaho's rate has been lower than the national rate for 12 years.

Benewah County's number dropped one-tenth to 10.8.

Idaho employers maintained jobs at or above normal levels in September and October, and total employment rose fractionally, injecting some stability into the economy with the holidays looming, the report states.

The number of Idaho workers without jobs rose slightly in September before falling more than 1,000 to 51,400 in October - the fourth straight month unemployment has been above 50,000.

At the same time, total employment was up 300 during the two months to exceed 721,000 but remained slightly below employment levels of October 2012 when the rate was 6.6 percent.

Although Idaho's labor force saw a slight increase in September from August, it fell by 900 in October. That combined with the marginal increase in employment was enough to push the jobless rate down.

Idaho employers added 4,000 jobs in September, slightly above the 10-year average of 3,700 that included both a strong expansion and a severe recession. Job losses held to just 300 in October, when the number of jobs typically drops 2,200, based on the average over the last 10 years. Goods producers added several hundred jobs in October when they typically cut employment, primarily in construction, and the service sector kept job cuts to 80 percent of the 10-year average loss.

Thirty-five of the 44 counties posted declines in their unemployment rates from September to October, as did all five metropolitan areas.