Delaware’s unemployment rate in August came in at 7.3% down slightly from 7.4% in July, but up a bit from 7.2% a year earlier.
The jobless ranks totaled 32,100 in August 2013, the same number as in August 2012. The U.S. unemployment rate was 7.3% in August 2013, down from 7.4% in July 2013. In August 2012, the U.S. unemployment rate was 8.1, while Delaware’s rate was 7.2.
In August 2013, seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment was 424,900, up from 424,800 in July 2013. Since August 2012, Delaware’s total non- farm jobs have increased by7,300, a rise of 1.7%. Nationally, jobs during that period increased 1.6%.
The Delaware Department of Labor took pains to note that the state has actually seen growth in the number of jobs, despite an unemployment rate that has remained above 7 percent. The state had traditionally seen a jobless rate well below the national figure.
Of the two major economic data series reported monthly, the Delaware civilian labor force, and the Delaware nonfarm employment, the latter is the better measure of jobs and job creation, the department stated.
Nonfarm employment comes from a survey of businesses in the state who report the number of people on their payrolls during the month. This survey shows 100 more jobs in the state than in July, and 7,300 more jobs than in August 2012.
The most comprehensive measure of jobs is the complete payroll count reported by all firms. The most recent count shows 5,456 more jobs in March 2013 than in March 2012. The growth still does not get the state back to employment levels seen before a steep loss in employment in 2009. In 2008 and 2009, the state lost both of its auto assembly plants.
The jobs issue comes as the debate intsifies over the state of the economy from Moody’s. A report from the company indicated Delaware was the only state in the union facing a risk of falling into a recession.
The administration of Gov. Jack Markell said the report was inaccurate and did not reflect some of Moody’s other measurements of economic performance.
Critics of the governor said it reflected an economy that is struggling to recover from the downturn, due to administation policies.
