New Castle, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Castle, Delaware had a total population of 5,579, the 21st largest city in Delaware, with a median household income of $89,205, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in Delaware.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
New Castle Quick Facts
How New Castle 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 | 5,519 | 5,579 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $92,565 | $89,205 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $262,100 | $285,100 | +8.8% |
How New Castle 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+)
New Castle 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 New Castle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elsmere | 6,203 | $67,944 | $225,800 | 15.1% | 23.1% |
| Edgemoor | 6,349 | $59,424 | $290,400 | 37.9% | 17.4% |
| Millsboro | 7,424 | $78,707 | $332,600 | 34.2% | 8.3% |
| Clayton | 4,222 | $107,307 | $361,300 | 32.1% | 5.3% |
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,163 | $113,529 | $389,900 | 36.2% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
New Castle is a small city located in Delaware, within New Castle County. The total population is 5,579. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Castle is 48.5 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 41.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Castle is $89,205. This is 5% higher than the state median of $84,954. It is also 10% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $285,100. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Castle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.4%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.
Education
33.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 93.9%. Notably, 19.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Castle, 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 New Castle, Delaware?
New Castle, Delaware has a population of 5,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Castle, DE?
The median household income in New Castle is $89,205, which is 10% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Castle, DE?
The poverty rate in New Castle is 4.7%. This means approximately 260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Castle, Delaware?
New Castle's population is 60.4% White, 28.4% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Castle, DE?
The median home value in New Castle is $285,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is New Castle, Delaware?
33.8% of adults (25+) in New Castle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.