Delaware unemployment goes down while job growth is up

According to the Delaware Dept. of Labor, Delaware’s past 12 months of job growth is the fastest since 1999.

Unemployment took another dip last month and is down to 4.4 percent in the April labor report. In addition, job gains in the state were up 3.5 percent over the last 12 months.

The report went on to explain, “Since April 2015, Delaware’s total nonfarm jobs have increased by a net gain of +15,700 a rise of 3.5%. Nationally, jobs during that period increased 1.9%.”

Gov. Jack Markell’s office sent the following statement in response to the current report: “The Governor is encouraged by today’s report that jobs are being created in the state faster than all states in the region and at the quickest pace Delaware has seen in decades. However, in a fast-changing economic environment, he recognizes we still have more work to do to attract growing businesses and new workers to our state and to ensure a good job is available to every Delawarean who wants one.”

Kent and Sussex counties had the largest decline in year over year area unemployment rates, both were down 1.1 percent, with New Castle County seeing a decline of 0.8 percent.

The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged in April at 5.0 percent.