Delaware's Unemployment Rate Dropped in December

A state report shows Delaware's unemployment rate decreased to 5.4 percent in December from 6 percent in November.

A state economist tells The News Journal the significant decline is likely the result of holiday hiring. Economist George Sharpley with the Delaware Department of Labor says there is often more seasonal hiring and seasonal layoffs this time of year.

But Sharpley says the numbers indicate positive long-term trends for Delaware's economy. Job growth is the strongest it has been since the 1990s, and unemployment is down.

Delaware's total nonfarm jobs have increased by 11,700 since December 2013. That's a gain of 2.7 percent. But the state lost 1,000 nonfarm jobs in December.

The unemployment rate in all three Delaware counties declined between November and December.