Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Delaware had a total population of 1,021,191, with a median household income of $84,954, which is 5% higher than the national average. The poverty rate is 10.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Delaware Quick Facts
How Delaware Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,005,872 | 1,021,191 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $82,855 | $84,954 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $326,800 | $352,000 | +7.7% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Largest Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Population | Median Income | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | 71,727 | $58,671 | 21.4% |
| 2 | Dover | 39,837 | $60,199 | 15.0% |
| 3 | Newark | 30,330 | $76,912 | 27.7% |
| 4 | Middletown | 24,661 | $112,831 | 8.3% |
| 5 | Bear | 22,370 | $91,687 | 8.7% |
| 6 | Glasgow | 15,546 | $113,982 | 8.0% |
| 7 | Brookside | 15,115 | $78,328 | 14.6% |
| 8 | Hockessin | 13,439 | $171,204 | 1.5% |
| 9 | Smyrna | 13,165 | $67,048 | 12.9% |
| 10 | Milford | 12,803 | $59,464 | 17.2% |
Richest Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hockessin | $171,204 | $568,800 | 66.3% |
| 2 | Townsend | $153,000 | $465,100 | 41.5% |
| 3 | North Star | $150,733 | $583,700 | 72.7% |
| 4 | Greenville | $142,844 | $1,062,500 | 79.3% |
| 5 | Pike Creek | $139,635 | $422,500 | 50.2% |
| 6 | Rehoboth Beach | $137,500 | $1,486,100 | 70.8% |
| 7 | St. Georges | $131,553 | $463,200 | 43.5% |
| 8 | Glasgow | $113,982 | $373,900 | 37.7% |
| 9 | Rising Sun-Lebanon | $113,529 | $389,900 | 36.2% |
| 10 | Middletown | $112,831 | $409,600 | 44.0% |
Most Affordable Cities in Delaware
By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.
| # | City | Ratio | Home Value | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | 2.4x | $262,100 | $107,690 |
| 2 | Kent Acres | 2.6x | $241,600 | $91,524 |
| 3 | Frederica | 2.7x | $215,100 | $80,924 |
| 4 | Highland Acres | 3.0x | $306,400 | $102,356 |
| 5 | Pike Creek | 3.0x | $422,500 | $139,635 |
| 6 | Townsend | 3.0x | $465,100 | $153,000 |
| 7 | Harrington | 3.1x | $221,900 | $72,679 |
| 8 | Wilmington Manor | 3.1x | $240,600 | $78,078 |
| 9 | Delaware City | 3.1x | $266,900 | $85,395 |
| 10 | Bellefonte | 3.2x | $289,500 | $90,694 |
Explore Delaware Rankings
All Counties in Delaware (3)
| New Castle County | 577,961 | $91,166 | 10.1% | $352,200 |
| Sussex County | 255,626 | $81,497 | 10.9% | $382,600 |
| Kent County | 187,604 | $74,477 | 10.6% | $316,600 |
All Cities & Places in Delaware (79)
| Wilmington | 71,727 | $58,671 | 21.4% | $231,400 |
| Dover | 39,837 | $60,199 | 15.0% | $258,900 |
| Newark | 30,330 | $76,912 | 27.7% | $382,500 |
| Middletown | 24,661 | $112,831 | 8.3% | $409,600 |
| Bear | 22,370 | $91,687 | 8.7% | $304,800 |
| Glasgow | 15,546 | $113,982 | 8.0% | $373,900 |
| Brookside | 15,115 | $78,328 | 14.6% | $279,700 |
| Hockessin | 13,439 | $171,204 | 1.5% | $568,800 |
| Smyrna | 13,165 | $67,048 | 12.9% | $291,400 |
| Milford | 12,803 | $59,464 | 17.2% | $296,900 |
| Pike Creek Valley | 12,431 | $102,434 | 6.2% | $340,300 |
| Claymont | 8,786 | $74,712 | 10.0% | $276,600 |
| Seaford | 8,485 | $54,016 | 18.8% | $224,300 |
| Wilmington Manor | 8,214 | $78,078 | 11.6% | $240,600 |
| North Star | 7,834 | $150,733 | 3.5% | $583,700 |
| Georgetown | 7,660 | $49,719 | 16.8% | $281,400 |
| Millsboro | 7,424 | $78,707 | 8.3% | $332,600 |
| Pike Creek | 7,129 | $139,635 | 1.3% | $422,500 |
| Edgemoor | 6,349 | $59,424 | 17.4% | $290,400 |
| Elsmere | 6,203 | $67,944 | 23.1% | $225,800 |
| New Castle | 5,579 | $89,205 | 4.7% | $285,100 |
| Clayton | 4,222 | $107,307 | 5.3% | $361,300 |
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,163 | $113,529 | 8.0% | $389,900 |
| Laurel | 4,152 | $48,644 | 34.6% | $230,300 |
| Camden | 4,106 | $63,267 | 5.3% | $300,100 |
Download Delaware Data
Free CSV downloads of Delaware demographic data — no account or payment required. Files use official Census place names (e.g. "Springfield city", "Oakdale CDP"), so they match Census Bureau sources exactly.
Population Overview
Delaware has a total population of 1,021,191, making it a smaller state in the nation. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% higher than the national median of 38.9 years.
Age Demographics
The median age in Delaware is 41.6 years. This is 7% higher than the national median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Delaware is $84,954. This is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.4%. This is 16% lower than the national poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 2% lower than the national rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $352,000. Housing costs are 6% higher than the national median of $332,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the national average of 65.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Delaware is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the national average (21.4% vs 11.9%).
Education
35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as the national rate of 35.7%. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.7%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Delaware come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Delaware?
Delaware has a total population of 1,021,191 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median income in Delaware?
The median household income in Delaware is $84,954, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
How many cities are in Delaware?
Delaware has 79 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 3 counties.
What is the poverty rate in Delaware?
The poverty rate in Delaware is 10.4%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.
What is the largest city in Delaware?
The largest city in Delaware is Wilmington with a population of 71,727.