Elsmere, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elsmere, Delaware had a total population of 6,203, the 20th largest town in Delaware, with a median household income of $67,944, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elsmere Quick Facts
How Elsmere 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 | 6,189 | 6,203 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $76,378 | $67,944 | -11.0% |
| Median home value | $210,200 | $225,800 | +7.4% |
How Elsmere 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+)
Elsmere Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in New Castle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 71,727 | $58,671 | 21.4% | $231,400 |
| 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 |
| Pike Creek Valley | 12,431 | $102,434 | 6.2% | $340,300 |
| Claymont | 8,786 | $74,712 | 10.0% | $276,600 |
Cities Similar to Elsmere
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgemoor | 6,349 | $59,424 | $290,400 | 37.9% | 17.4% |
| New Castle | 5,579 | $89,205 | $285,100 | 33.8% | 4.7% |
| Millsboro | 7,424 | $78,707 | $332,600 | 34.2% | 8.3% |
| Wilmington Manor | 8,214 | $78,078 | $240,600 | 21.5% | 11.6% |
| Georgetown | 7,660 | $49,719 | $281,400 | 16.0% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Elsmere is a small city located in Delaware, within New Castle County. The total population is 6,203. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elsmere is 35.5 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 41.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elsmere is $67,944. This is 20% lower than the state median of $84,954. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 121% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $225,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elsmere is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 38.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.1% vs 11.1%).
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 78.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elsmere, 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 Elsmere, Delaware?
Elsmere, Delaware has a population of 6,203 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elsmere, DE?
The median household income in Elsmere is $67,944, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elsmere, DE?
The poverty rate in Elsmere is 23.1%. This means approximately 1,430 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elsmere, Delaware?
Elsmere's population is 41.5% White, 18.1% Black, 38.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elsmere, DE?
The median home value in Elsmere is $225,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Elsmere, Delaware?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Elsmere hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.