WILMINGTON — Delaware’s January unemployment rate has stayed flat with the minimal impact of 100 jobs, according to the most recent labor report.
Delaware recorded 490,700 people at work in January, a small drop from December, in the report published on March 14. But there are 18,300 people who are unemployed, the same number of the month prior after revisions from the department of labor.
The Delaware labor pool remains at 506,700. But looking at broader trends, the state has seen the labor pool shrink by 500 people between January 2024 and December 2024.
That number captures not only workers and those receiving unemployment benefits, but also those in search of work who aren’t receiving assistance. As workers stop seeking employment roles for a variety of reasons, ranging from retirement to child care needs, they are no longer counted as being unemployed in the state.
Delaware’s unemployment rate is at 3.6% and is down 10 basis points from the previous month that was not adjusted. Meanwhile, the United States’ national unemployment rate continues to decline, dropping another 10 basis points to 4%.
The official monthly unemployment figure is created by looking at continuous unemployment insurance claims as well as a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey of residents on their employment status. It tracks not only those receiving benefits, but also those who are ineligible, such as terminated employees, those who have resigned and the self-employed.
There are 32 states at or under the national unemployment rate. South Dakota continues to enjoy the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9%, while Nevada had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7%.
Neighboring state Pennsylvania is now reporting its unemployment rate at 3.8% while Maryland’s rate fell to 3%. New Jersey’s unemployment rate remains at 4.6%
Delaware’s three counties saw differing rates of unemployment in January with the adjustment from state officials. New Castle reports a rate at 3.8%, Kent at 4.2% and Sussex at 3.2%. Those statistics aren’t seasonally adjusted.
Wilmington and Dover, the state’s two most populous cities, have seen movement on its unemployment rate, though both have seen a greater impact in job losses. Wilmington’s jobless rate dropped 5.9% while Dover landed at 4.9%.
Leading job gains in January were trades, which added 500 jobs. That was followed by financial activities as well as leisure & hospitality, which added 200 jobs each. Construction added 100 jobs.
Leading job losses in that same period were professional and business services at 600 jobs. Other services shed 300 jobs, while government and manufacturing lost 100 jobs each.
