Blades, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Blades, Delaware had a total population of 1,071, the 54th largest town in Delaware, with a median household income of $56,875, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Blades Quick Facts
How Blades 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 | 1,055 | 1,071 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $62,596 | $56,875 | -9.1% |
| Median home value | $209,600 | $227,900 | +8.7% |
How Blades Compares
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+)
Blades Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in Sussex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 12,803 | $59,464 | 17.2% | $296,900 |
| Seaford | 8,485 | $54,016 | 18.8% | $224,300 |
| Georgetown | 7,660 | $49,719 | 16.8% | $281,400 |
| Millsboro | 7,424 | $78,707 | 8.3% | $332,600 |
| Laurel | 4,152 | $48,644 | 34.6% | $230,300 |
| Milton | 3,567 | $80,875 | 5.5% | $407,000 |
| Lewes | 3,505 | $96,393 | 7.9% | $826,100 |
| Selbyville | 3,097 | $75,592 | 4.3% | $432,900 |
| Ocean View | 2,851 | $91,500 | 9.8% | $514,200 |
| Bridgeville | 2,745 | $64,879 | 13.4% | $400,900 |
Cities Similar to Blades
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederica | 1,062 | $80,924 | $215,100 | 31.4% | 6.5% |
| Newport | 900 | $60,761 | $246,000 | 15.1% | 10.0% |
| Felton | 1,294 | $59,896 | $285,900 | 28.3% | 7.0% |
| Frankford | 1,215 | $77,206 | $315,000 | 15.4% | 9.2% |
| Dagsboro | 1,376 | $60,607 | $318,400 | 14.2% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Blades is a small community located in Delaware, within Sussex County. The total population is 1,071. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Blades is 36.6 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 41.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Blades is $56,875. This is 33% lower than the state median of $84,954. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. The unemployment rate is 11.8%. This is 132% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $227,900. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 70.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Blades is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.0%.
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 35.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Blades, Delaware is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Delaware state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 79 Census-designated places in Delaware. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Blades, Delaware?
Blades, Delaware has a population of 1,071 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Blades, DE?
The median household income in Blades is $56,875, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Blades, DE?
The poverty rate in Blades is 13.0%. This means approximately 138 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Blades, Delaware?
Blades's population is 59.7% White, 13.5% Black, 16.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Blades, DE?
The median home value in Blades is $227,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Blades, Delaware?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Blades hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.