New Castle
Delaware

What stands out

Three things set New Castle County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 7% of American counties ($1,353 a month), the median household income is in the top 8% of American counties ($85,309), and the share working from home is in the top 9% of American counties (14%).

Where you are

You live in New Castle County, Delaware. 570,567 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,203).

Delaware has no sales tax, low property taxes and a graduated income tax that tops out at 6.6%. More than a million business entities are incorporated in the state because of its Court of Chancery. Sussex County beaches draw retirees from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland; the state does not tax Social Security and exempts up to $12,500 of pension and retirement income for residents 60 and over.

Money

The typical household here brings in $85,309 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $80,334. 14% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Delaware takes 5.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,614 a year.

Home

The median home costs $373K, pricier than 82% of American counties, about 2.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,353 a month. Property tax is 0.76% of home value, roughly $2,369 a year on that median home, lower than 59% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 34 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.4 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 2,300 active physicians in the county, about 40.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 7.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.88 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 70% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 35 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Delaware law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 65 and lows near 46, colder than 52% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 91 out of 100, riskier than 91% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 279 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 breweries, 22 museums, 1 National Park Service site.