Delaware unemployment rate continues upward tick

Delaware’s unemployment rate continues to slowly rise with the state recording the largest increase of workers out of a job in a single month since 2021.| PHOTO COURTESY OF ADOBE STOCK

DOVER —  Delaware’s unemployment rate continues to slowly rise with the state recording the largest increase of workers out of a job in a single month since 2021.

The Delaware Department of Labor reports that June saw 20,900 unemployed Delawareans in June, an increase of 700 people from the previous month. The last time the First State has seen such an increase in recent years was between January and February 2021 when there was an increase of 800 people out of a job in a single month.

Reports issued on Friday show that there are 484,400 people currently working  — 900 less people than in June.

Delaware’s total labor force stands at 505,300 people, or 200 workers less than the month before. The Delaware Department of Labor’s report is taken monthly during the calendar week that contains the 12th day. 

The First State’s unemployment rate now sits at 4.1%, continuing a steady march of 10 basis points per month. The United States has hit a 4.3% unemployment rate, a 20 basis point rise from the previous month and a surprise for economists who were expecting a slower rise in the unemployment rate.

Delaware has now moved to 36th in its ranking for unemployment among the 50 states and Washington D.C., moving up one slot since June. Neighboring states like Maryland and Pennsylvania continue to outperform Delaware with Maryland tied for 8th place at a unemployment rate of 2.8% and Pennsylvania tied for 22nd place with an unemployment rate of 3.4%.

New Jersey sits close to the bottom of the rankings at 45th place with an unemployment report of 4.7%.

South Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate of 2% and Washington D.C. clocks in with the highest unemployment rate at 5.5%.

Delaware’s three counties saw differing rates of unemployment in April with New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties reporting rates of 4.8%, 5.7% and 4.2% respectively. Those statistics are not seasonally adjusted.

Wilmington, however, has seen some improvement on its job market. In July, its unemployment rate sat at 6.9%, an improvement from the previous month’s rate of 7.1% while Dover saw its unemployment slightly rise to 7.5%.

Leading job gains last month was the manufacturing sector as well as trades and transportation, each adding 400 jobs. Financial services also added 200 jobs; government and other services added 100 jobs each.

Leisure and hospitality saw the loss of 400 jobs, while private education and health lost 300 jobs. The construction industry also lost 200 jobs.