Rank #46 by Population · Updated April 2026
Delaware Population 2026
The population of Delaware is 1,005,872 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 46th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $82,855, the median home value is $326,800, and the median age is 41.5.
Delaware's population has grown 419.9% since 1910 (202,322 → 1,051,917).
1,005,872
Population
516
People / sq mi
$82,855
Median Income
41.5
Median Age
Delaware covers 1,949 sq mi of land at a density of 516.2 people per square mile.
About Delaware
Age is the most distinctive thing about Delaware: a median age of 41.5, older than the national median. Delaware is a US state with a population of 1,005,872. It ranks #46 among US states by population.
Median household income is $82,855, above the US median of $78,538. About 7.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $326,800, with typical rent around $1,341.
35.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, near the national average of 35.0%. Remote work is close to the national 14.0% at 13.3%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Delaware — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Delaware, #46 by population
Delaware Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Delaware had a population of 202,322 in 1910 and 1,051,917 in 2024, a 5.2× growth over 114 years. The peak was 1,051,917 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.46%.
1,051,917
Population (2024)
202,322
Population (1910)
1,051,917
Peak (2024)
1.46%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 202,322 |
| 1920 | 223,003 |
| 1930 | 238,380 |
| 1940 | 266,505 |
| 1950 | 318,085 |
| 1960 | 446,292 |
| 1970 | 548,104 |
| 1980 | 594,338 |
| 1990 | 666,168 |
| 2000 | 783,600 |
| 2010 | 897,934 |
| 2020 | 989,948 |
| 2020 | 991,928 |
| 2021 | 1,005,062 |
| 2022 | 1,020,625 |
| 2023 | 1,036,423 |
| 2024 | 1,051,917 |
Age Distribution
Male: 48.5% · Female: 51.5%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 61.8% |
| Black or African American | 21.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.4% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
Economy & Income
$82,855
Median Household Income
$44,219
Per Capita Income
7.3%
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
$109,519
Mean Household Income
58.7%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Delaware's overall price level is 99.8 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 0.2% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Delaware's median household income of $82,855 has the buying power of $83,014 in average-priced areas.
99.8
Price Level (US = 100)
$83,014
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$82,855
Nominal Median Income
Education
91.4%
High School Graduate+
35.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
10,816
Live Births (2022)
10.8
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
52.7%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 62.0% |
| Black or African American | 29.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18.5% |
Housing
$326,800
Median Home Value
$1,341
Median Rent
457,958
Total Housing Units
72.3%
Owner-Occupied
27.7%
Renter-Occupied
13.5%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
85.2% of Delaware residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Delaware:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 32,810 | 3.45% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 3,004 | 0.32% |
| 3 | Haitian | 2,527 | 0.27% |
| 4 | French (incl. Cajun) | 1,176 | 0.12% |
| 5 | Arabic | 1,172 | 0.12% |
| 6 | Gujarati | 1,054 | 0.11% |
| 7 | Korean | 926 | 0.10% |
| 8 | Hindi | 874 | 0.09% |
| 9 | Vietnamese | 855 | 0.09% |
| 10 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 733 | 0.08% |
Commute
1.8%
Drive Alone
2.0%
Carpool
13.3%
Work From Home
26.1 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | 71,124 |
| 2 | Dover | 39,491 |
| 3 | Newark | 30,309 |
| 4 | Middletown | 24,071 |
| 5 | Bear | 22,604 |
| 6 | Glasgow | 16,095 |
| 7 | Brookside | 15,262 |
| 8 | Hockessin | 13,608 |
| 9 | Smyrna | 13,031 |
| 10 | Milford | 12,193 |
| 11 | Pike Creek Valley | 11,992 |
Counties in Delaware
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Castle County | 573,030 | $89,901 |
| 2 | Sussex County | 247,799 | $78,162 |
| 3 | Kent County | 185,043 | $72,872 |
Compare Delaware
Rankings for Delaware
Read more about Delaware
A complete guide to Delaware demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Delaware Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Delaware
Congressional districts in Delaware
Largest school districts in Delaware
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Delaware
Where to stay in Delaware
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Frequently Asked Questions
Delaware has a population of 1,005,872 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 46th-most populous state in the United States.
Delaware is gaining population, with a +419.9% change over the available historical Census record. Delaware's population has grown 419.9% since 1910 (202,322 → 1,051,917).
The median household income in Delaware is $82,855, with a per capita income of $44,219. 7.3% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
61.8% of Delaware's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 21.9% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.4% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Delaware is 61.8% White, 21.9% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.4% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Delaware is 41.5 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
Delaware's population has grown 419.9% since 1910 (202,322 → 1,051,917).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Delaware's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.