DOVER — Delaware’s unemployment rate continued to trend below the national average in November, thanks to a slow addition of jobs over the course of a month.
Delaware was the only state to record a dip in unemployment rate in November, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In November, Delaware added 200 jobs to reverse the deep losses recorded the previous month, according to data reported by the Department of Labor. Delaware’s labor force shrunk by 700 job seekers, according to the monthly report issued on Friday.
The First State now has a total labor force of 503,200 people, with some adjustments made from the previous report. While Delaware’s labor force has been shrinking over the past couple months, it still is holding strong over the half million mark that was previously established in summer 2023.
The labor force 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.
State labor officials report that total unemployed people fell again to 19,500 people out of work, while the number of people who have jobs remained at 483,700.
Delaware’s unemployment rate in November is 3.9%, and now the gap between the national average has grown even wider. While Delaware’s unemployment rate fell 10 basis points again, the national average grew another 10 basis points to 4.2%.
While Delaware was the only state to see a decline in its unemployment rate, there are 26 states under the national average. South Dakota South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9%, while Nevada had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7%.
Neighboring states Pennsylvania and Maryland both enjoy low unemployment rates at 3.5% and 2.2%, respectively. New Jersey’s unemployment rate remains at 4.6%
Delaware’s three counties saw differing rates of unemployment last month, with New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties reporting rates of 3%, 3.5% and 3.1%, respectively – although 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 4.7% while Dover landed at 4.4%.
Leading job gains last month were the private education and health which added 1,200 jobs. That was followed by professional services which added 500; leisure and hospitality, which added 400; the government, which added 200; and financial services and manufacturing, which added 100 each.
Leading job losses in the last month of the year was the construction sector, which cut 400 jobs. That was followed by trades and other services, which lost 200 jobs, mostly in retail trade.
