Milford, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Milford, Delaware had a total population of 12,803, the 10th largest city in Delaware, with a median household income of $59,464, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Milford Quick Facts
How Milford 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 | 12,193 | 12,803 | +5.0% |
| Median household income | $55,265 | $59,464 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $274,600 | $296,900 | +8.1% |
How Milford 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+)
Milford Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in Sussex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Millville | 2,430 | $99,776 | 5.8% | $494,500 |
Cities Similar to Milford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smyrna | 13,165 | $67,048 | $291,400 | 21.6% | 12.9% |
| Pike Creek Valley | 12,431 | $102,434 | $340,300 | 50.7% | 6.2% |
| Brookside | 15,115 | $78,328 | $279,700 | 29.1% | 14.6% |
| Seaford | 8,485 | $54,016 | $224,300 | 15.3% | 18.8% |
| Claymont | 8,786 | $74,712 | $276,600 | 35.9% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Milford is a small city located in Delaware, within Sussex County. The total population is 12,803. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Milford is 41.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 41.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Milford is $59,464. This is 30% lower than the state median of $84,954. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. The median home value is $296,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Milford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.5%.
Education
27.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Milford, 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 Milford, Delaware?
Milford, Delaware has a population of 12,803 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Milford, DE?
The median household income in Milford is $59,464, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Milford, DE?
The poverty rate in Milford is 17.2%. This means approximately 2,152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Milford, Delaware?
Milford's population is 53.7% White, 19.5% Black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Milford, DE?
The median home value in Milford is $296,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Milford, Delaware?
27.6% of adults (25+) in Milford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.