For the month of May, Flathead County posted its lowest unemployment rate since September 2008.

The county’s jobless rate was 5.6 percent last month, a full percentage point lower than April’s 6.6 percent rate, according to figures released Friday by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

The latest report is further evidence that Flathead County is back to pre-recession unemployment rates, said Bill Nelson, manager of the Flathead Job Service.

“We’re getting back to normalcy,” Nelson said. “It’s definitely cause for joy and celebration — and it’s only May.”

Nelson began tracking jobless numbers in August 2008 as the recession began to hit home in the Flathead. By May 2011 unemployment was in the double digits, posting at 11.2 percent.

By May 2013 the unemployment rate had dropped to 7 percent, signaling a rebirth of local growth.

Nelson said the Job Service has 544 jobs listed, many of which are service-related, entry-level positions. But there are a variety of jobs.

“If you’re looking for a job, there’s probably something that will match up to what you’re looking for,” he said.

Flathead County has a labor force of 44,169 people, 2,453 of whom were unemployed in May.

Neighboring counties also have seen improvement in the jobs arena.

Lake County reported 5.6 percent unemployment in May, down from 6.4 percent in April.

For the first time in several years, Sanders County fell below double digits, posting 8.9 percent unemployment. Just two months ago Sanders County had 14.8 percent unemployment.

Lincoln County has the highest unemployment in the state and was the only county to have double-digit unemployment in May. It posted at 10.6 percent — much improved, however, from 13.4 percent in April.

Montana’s unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points over the month for a rate of 4.6 percent in May, while the national unemployment rate held steady at 6.3 percent.

“Montana’s unemployment rate continues to drop due to strong employment growth in 2014,” Gov. Steve Bullock said in a press release.

Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy said that Montana’s unemployment rate — now below average levels — will drive wage growth during the next year.

Total employment, which includes payroll employment plus agricultural and self-employed workers, was increased by 1,326 jobs in May. Montana has added more than 10,000 jobs since the beginning of the year, and since May 2013 has had an annual growth rate of 2.1 percent.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.