Delaware Unemployment Surpasses National Average

Unemployment in Delaware has increased from August to September from 4.3% to 4.5% – and in Sussex County from 4.4% to 4.6%. This is the highest Delaware’s unemployment rate has risen since January of 2022 – and surpassing the national rate for the first time since January 2024. The national unemployment rate also increased by a tenth of a percent to 4.4%.

The number of unemployed Delaware residents has increased by 25.5% over the past year – compared to a 10.2% increase at the national level. The Delaware Department of Labor says that current population survey data shows nearly half of Delaware’s 12-month average number of unemployed individuals were either new entrants to the labor force or re-entrants returning after a period of non-participation.

The highest over-the-year job change was in the Private Education & Health sector followed by Construction and Other Services.

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