Delaware jobless rate falls to 5.6%

Delaware’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October 2020 dropped sharply to  5.6 percent, from 8.3 percent in September. 

The figure was well below the national jobless rate of 6.9 percent and figures for neighboring states. It also came despite the state seeing a higher percentage of job losses than the nation and neighboring states of New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

It is also possible that the rate may be a high watermark for a time as the Covid-19 pandemic leads to restrictions on restaurants and other establishments.  Delaware’s hospitality employment has fallen by 10,000 over the past year.

In the monthly report, the  Delaware Department of Labor reported 27,000 unemployed Delawareans in October than 19,500 in October 2019.

The nation’s unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in October, down from 7.9 percent in September 2020. In October 2019, the US unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, while Delaware’s rate was four percent.

It’s worth noting that jobless rates are subject to revision since initial results are based on estimates. Adjustments take place early in the following year when more solid payroll figures are received.

In October 2020, seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment in Delaware was 430,100, up from 426,900 in September. Since October 2019, Delaware’s total nonfarm jobs have decreased by a net loss of 36,000, a decline of 7.7 percent. Nationally, the job total during that period declined by  6 percent.

See below for a state-by-state look at unemployment rankings. Delaware was tied for the 20th lowest jobless rate.