After months of steady increases, Delaware’s unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a point to a flat five percent in December.
It’s the first time the state jobless rate has trended downward since it began climbing from four point five percent in May.
More people are working with fewer unemployed in the state. In past reports, a larger workforce has offset higher numbers of those without a job.
Delaware’s figure now mirrors the unemployment rate nationwide, which has hovered at five percent for the past three months.
The First State made the biggest gains in construction jobs, anchored by moderate, but steady growth in the financial sector and professional and business services.
Non-seasonally adjusted rates across the state are generally down as well.
Wilmington stands at six point oh percent – down six tenths of a percent from November. Dover shed two tenths of a point, while Newark remained flat at four point five percent.
All counties but Sussex also ticked down – each below five percent.
