Delaware's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped
slightly to 8.4 percent in March. That was down from 8.5 percent
in February, but only one-tenth of a percent below the same period
in 2010, according to the Delaware Department of
Labor. Meanwhile, the gap between Delaware and
national unemployment rates has narrowed sharply. Traditionally,
the First State has enjoyed a one percent or lower unemployment
rate than the nation as a whole.
The U.S. unemployment rate for March was 8.8 percent, compared
to 8.9 percent in February. A year ago in March, the nation's
jobless rate was much higher at 9.7 percent. The biggest gains came
in leisure and hospitality, up 2,400 jobs from a year ago in March,
closely followed by education and health at 2,000.
Construction, once the most troubled area of the economy, showed
some signs of an uptick, with employment up by 800 in the March to
March period. The closely watched professional and business
services segment showed a gain of 300 jobs during the March to
Mach period. That sector generally includes temporary employees who
are usually a bell weather for future hiring.
No categories saw major losses in employment over the last
year. State government was down 500 jobs during the past year.
However, local governments took up the slack, adding 700 jobs in
the March-to-March period. Wholesale and retail trade, one area
that should benefit from a recovery was flat in March when compared
to a year ago. A gain of 600 jobs in retailing was offset by an
equal number of job losses in wholesaling.
Among cities and counties in the state, Newark continued to have
the lowest jobless rate with an unadjusted figure of 6.4 percentÂ
unchanged from last year.
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