Delaware unemployment rate remains unchanged
Friday, April 16th, 2010
Delaware's unemployment rate for March is still 9.2%, unchanged from February's rate. Numbers from the state Department of Labor show 39,400 Delawareans were unemployed in March, compared to 33,500 in March '09. The national unemployment rate is also unchanged from February at 9.7%.
Broken down locally, Wilmington continues to have the highest unemployment rate in the state. More than 13% of the city's workforce is on the unemployment line, that's up from 12.8% last month. Sussex County's unemployment rate dropped from 11.1% in February, to 10% in March. Kent County's rate also dropped a percentage point, from 10% in February to 9% in March. New Castle County's unemployment rate is also down a bit, from 9.4% in February to 9.2% in March. It is important to note that the area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted, which could cause them to be a bit skewed.
What was the state's unemployment rate in March '09? Since March '10 number ares not seasonally adjusted the comparison with Feb. '10 isn't meaningful.
Delaware's unemployment rate for March 2009 was 7.6% compared to the March 2010 rate of 9.2%. The statewide rates are seasonally adjusted. The area rates (for Wilmington and the counties) are not seasonally adjusted.
Here's a link to a chart from the Delaware Department of Labor:
http://www.delawareworks.com/oolmi/Information/LMIData/LAUS/Unemployment-Rate–graph–.aspx