Best counties to live in Delaware
More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.
Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.
Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.
Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Delaware using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#3. Kent County, Delaware
- Overall Rank: 824
- Population: 182,400
- Median household income: $69,278
- Median home value: $272,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,224 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Dover Air Force Base Middle School (grade A), Allen Frear Elementary School (grade A), F. Niel Postlethwait Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Calvary Christian Academy (grade B+), Holy Cross School (grade unavailable), Central Delaware Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Highland Acres (grade A), Camden (grade B+), Wyoming (grade B+)
#2. Sussex County, Delaware
- Overall Rank: 437
- Population: 240,668
- Median household income: $75,406
- Median home value: $324,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,162 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Sussex Academy (grade A), Beacon Middle School (grade A), Love Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Delmarva Christian Schools (grade B+), Milford Christian School (grade B), Greenwood Mennonite School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Rehoboth Beach (grade A+), Bethany Beach (grade A), Lewes (grade A minus)
#1. New Castle County, Delaware
- Overall Rank: 95
- Population: 570,567
- Median household income: $85,309
- Median home value: $312,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,327 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: The Charter School of Wilmington (grade A+), Newark Charter School (grade A+), Cab Calloway School of the Arts (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Andrew's School (grade A+), Tower Hill School (grade A+), Wilmington Friends School (grade A+)
- Top places: Forty Acres (grade A+), Hockessin (grade A+), Pike Creek (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
