Delaware Population, Economy, Jobs & Key Trends | Data Lab Region: Delaware Coverage: 1638 - 2026 Report ID: RH-57B74A2ED9B60726 URL: https://greenblog.co.kr/en/data-report/delaware-population-economy-jobs-key-trends-data-lab/ === Full report === Delaware is geographically small but regionally diverse. Wilmington's corporate and financial functions, Dover's government role, the Atlantic coast and major Northeast Corridor links create very different local pressures. Population rises steadily, housing and household income trend upward over the long run, and unemployment falls substantially from its early high. Growth continues across a very small state Delaware's population rises across the full observed window without a decline. The consistency makes demographic expansion a structural feature rather than a short-lived rebound. Yet that growth is not uniform. New Castle County is tied strongly to Wilmington and the Philadelphia labor market, Kent County contains the state-government center, and Sussex County is shaped more heavily by coastal, visitor and retirement demand. Housing and income move upward on different paths Median home value first declines and then moves into a long appreciation phase. Household income also trends upward, but the two measures turn at different times and do not move at the same speed. That difference matters because Delaware's housing markets are regionally distinct. Northern commuter demand and southern coastal demand can produce very different affordability conditions beneath the statewide average. A stronger labor profile sits beside a finance-centered economy Unemployment declines for much of the series after an early high. Delaware's labor picture still needs to be read with its industry mix because finance, corporate services, government, logistics, health care and tourism have different geographic footprints. Wilmington's financial role reflects decades of state policy and corporate development. That history helps explain why a small state carries an outsized profile in banking and business services. Coastal policy is a defining Delaware theme The Coastal Zone Act created a distinctive approach to industrial siting and coastal protection. First State National Historical Park and Bombay Hook add historic preservation and habitat conservation to the state's public-land network. The Climate Change Solutions Act and Energy Solutions Act extend that policy tradition into sea-level rise, resilience and power-sector transition. Delaware's low-lying coastal geography continues to shape statewide planning. Sources US_EIA · Total primary energy productionUS_EIA · Total energy consumptionUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · PopulationUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · Median household incomeUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · Median home valueUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · Unemployment rateDelaware Public Archives · New Sweden settlement and Fort Christina are establishedState of Delaware · Delaware establishes an independent state governmentDelaware Public Archives · Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the U.S. ConstitutionDelaware River and Bay Authority · First Delaware Memorial Bridge span opensDelaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control · Delaware enacts the Coastal Zone ActDelaware General Assembly · Delaware enacts the Financial Center Development ActNational Park Service · First State National Monument is establishedDelaware General Assembly · Delaware enacts the Climate Change Solutions ActDelaware General Assembly · Delaware enacts the Energy Solutions Actarchives.delaware.gov · Historical Markersdelaware.gov · Responsible Disclosure for Delaware State FAQ What is the most consistent long-term change in Delaware? Population growth is the most consistent because every observation moves higher. Income and home values also rise over the long run, but both have distinct early turning points. Does statewide home-value growth mean the same thing everywhere in Delaware? No. Northern commuter and urban demand differs from coastal and retirement demand in Sussex County, so affordability conditions can vary substantially. What defines Delaware beyond the four core indicators? Its First State constitutional history, Wilmington's financial role, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, coastal-protection policy and newer climate and energy laws are major parts of the regional story. Delaware combines sustained population growth, rising income and home values, and a much stronger long-run labor profile with a distinctive mix of finance, Northeast Corridor transportation, coastal conservation and climate policy. Its small size makes county-level differences especially important. === Metrics === Total primary energy production 1985 3019 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1986 2765 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1987 2162 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1988 2310 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1989 2515 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1990 1652 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1991 1733 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1992 1783 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1993 2492 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1994 2421 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1995 2475 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1996 2641 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1997 2202 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1998 1935 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 1999 1999 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2000 2288 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2001 1322 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2002 1311 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2003 1398 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2004 1431 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2005 949 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2006 858 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2007 1511 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2008 2933 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2009 3543 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2010 3762 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2011 3909 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2012 3184 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2013 3151 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2014 3448 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2015 2718 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2016 2369 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2017 2398 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2018 2439 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2019 2590 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2020 2496 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2021 2586 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2022 2933 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2023 3326 Billion Btu Total primary energy production 2024 2932 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1985 209389 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1986 210957 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1987 222263 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1988 229414 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1989 235488 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1990 251171 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1991 254456 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1992 260364 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1993 265800 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1994 261025 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1995 262221 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1996 271563 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1997 271024 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1998 271046 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 1999 283315 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2000 303879 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2001 290543 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2002 304848 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2003 300832 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2004 287001 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2005 297787 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2006 285714 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2007 291538 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2008 288650 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2009 255701 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2010 263229 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2011 281158 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2012 279977 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2013 276690 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2014 276437 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2015 280239 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2016 276704 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2017 274293 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2018 292792 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2019 291612 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2020 263853 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2021 281136 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2022 275231 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2023 268525 Billion Btu Total energy consumption 2024 261559 Billion Btu Population 2011 890856 persons Population 2012 900131 persons Population 2013 908446 persons Population 2014 917060 persons Population 2015 926454 persons Population 2016 934695 persons Population 2017 943732 persons Population 2018 949495 persons Population 2019 957248 persons Population 2020 967679 persons Population 2021 981892 persons Population 2022 993635 persons Population 2023 1005872 persons Population 2024 1021191 persons Median household income 2011 59317 US dollars Median household income 2012 60119 US dollars Median household income 2013 59878 US dollars Median household income 2014 60231 US dollars Median household income 2015 60509 US dollars Median household income 2016 61017 US dollars Median household income 2017 63036 US dollars Median household income 2018 65627 US dollars Median household income 2019 68287 US dollars Median household income 2020 69110 US dollars Median household income 2021 72724 US dollars Median household income 2022 79325 US dollars Median household income 2023 82855 US dollars Median household income 2024 84954 US dollars Median home value 2011 244100 US dollars Median home value 2012 241100 US dollars Median home value 2013 235800 US dollars Median home value 2014 232900 US dollars Median home value 2015 231500 US dollars Median home value 2016 233100 US dollars Median home value 2017 238600 US dollars Median home value 2018 244700 US dollars Median home value 2019 251100 US dollars Median home value 2020 258300 US dollars Median home value 2021 269700 US dollars Median home value 2022 305200 US dollars Median home value 2023 326800 US dollars Median home value 2024 352000 US dollars Unemployment rate 2011 7.7381789109311 percent Unemployment rate 2012 8.3746012456327 percent Unemployment rate 2013 8.8958498842872 percent Unemployment rate 2014 8.5462802786733 percent Unemployment rate 2015 7.706381810871 percent Unemployment rate 2016 7.1338521615133 percent Unemployment rate 2017 6.4111260434375 percent Unemployment rate 2018 5.9445569583291 percent Unemployment rate 2019 5.4928324147845 percent Unemployment rate 2020 5.839581538563 percent Unemployment rate 2021 5.6844349680171 percent Unemployment rate 2022 5.4437291986368 percent Unemployment rate 2023 5.0535311647562 percent Unemployment rate 2024 5.1140804921775 percent === Timeline === 1638 1638 - New Sweden settlement and Fort Christina are established — A New Sweden Company expedition landed along the Christina River and established Fort Christina, creating the first permanent European settlement in what is now Delaware. 1776 1776 - Delaware establishes an independent state government — The Delaware Assembly ended colonial status and established the three counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex as an independent Delaware State. 1787 1787 - Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution — A special convention in Dover unanimously ratified the U.S. Constitution, making Delaware the first state to approve it. 1951 1951 - First Delaware Memorial Bridge span opens — The first Delaware Memorial Bridge span opened between Delaware and New Jersey, greatly strengthening road connectivity across the Delaware River and the Northeast Corridor. 1971 1971 - Delaware enacts the Coastal Zone Act — Delaware enacted the Coastal Zone Act to restrict new heavy industry and bulk product transfer in the coastal zone and regulate manufacturing through permits. 1981 1981 - Delaware enacts the Financial Center Development Act — Delaware enacted the Financial Center Development Act, changing the framework for out-of-state bank holding companies and financial-sector activity in the state. 1986 1986 - Total primary energy production: 2765 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 210957 Billion Btu 1987 1987 - Total primary energy production: 2162 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 222263 Billion Btu 1988 1988 - Total primary energy production: 2310 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 229414 Billion Btu 1989 1989 - Total primary energy production: 2515 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 235488 Billion Btu 1990 1990 - Total primary energy production: 1652 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 251171 Billion Btu 1991 1991 - Total primary energy production: 1733 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 254456 Billion Btu 1992 1992 - Total primary energy production: 1783 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 260364 Billion Btu 1993 1993 - Total primary energy production: 2492 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 265800 Billion Btu 1994 1994 - Total primary energy production: 2421 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 261025 Billion Btu 1995 1995 - Total primary energy production: 2475 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 262221 Billion Btu 1996 1996 - Total primary energy production: 2641 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 271563 Billion Btu 1997 1997 - Total primary energy production: 2202 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 271024 Billion Btu 1998 1998 - Total primary energy production: 1935 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 271046 Billion Btu 1999 1999 - Total primary energy production: 1999 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 283315 Billion Btu 2000 2000 - Total primary energy production: 2288 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 303879 Billion Btu 2001 2001 - Total primary energy production: 1322 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 290543 Billion Btu 2002 2002 - Total primary energy production: 1311 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 304848 Billion Btu 2003 2003 - Total primary energy production: 1398 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 300832 Billion Btu 2004 2004 - Total primary energy production: 1431 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 287001 Billion Btu 2005 2005 - Total primary energy production: 949 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 297787 Billion Btu 2006 2006 - Total primary energy production: 858 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 285714 Billion Btu 2007 2007 - Total primary energy production: 1511 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 291538 Billion Btu 2008 2008 - Total primary energy production: 2933 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 288650 Billion Btu 2009 2009 - Total primary energy production: 3543 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 255701 Billion Btu 2010 2010 - Total primary energy production: 3762 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 263229 Billion Btu 2011 2011 - Total primary energy production: 3909 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 281158 Billion Btu 2012 2012 - Total primary energy production: 3184 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 279977 Billion Btu - Population: 900131 persons - Median household income: 60119 US dollars - Median home value: 241100 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 8.3746012456327 percent 2013 2013 - Total primary energy production: 3151 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 276690 Billion Btu - Population: 908446 persons - Median household income: 59878 US dollars - Median home value: 235800 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 8.8958498842872 percent - First State National Monument is established — First State National Monument was established to connect and protect places associated with Delaware's settlement, independence, constitutional history and Brandywine Valley conservation. 2014 2014 - Total primary energy production: 3448 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 276437 Billion Btu - Population: 917060 persons - Median household income: 60231 US dollars - Median home value: 232900 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 8.5462802786733 percent 2015 2015 - Total primary energy production: 2718 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 280239 Billion Btu - Population: 926454 persons - Median household income: 60509 US dollars - Median home value: 231500 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 7.706381810871 percent 2016 2016 - Total primary energy production: 2369 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 276704 Billion Btu - Population: 934695 persons - Median household income: 61017 US dollars - Median home value: 233100 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 7.1338521615133 percent 2017 2017 - Total primary energy production: 2398 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 274293 Billion Btu - Population: 943732 persons - Median household income: 63036 US dollars - Median home value: 238600 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 6.4111260434375 percent 2018 2018 - Total primary energy production: 2439 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 292792 Billion Btu - Population: 949495 persons - Median household income: 65627 US dollars - Median home value: 244700 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.9445569583291 percent 2019 2019 - Total primary energy production: 2590 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 291612 Billion Btu - Population: 957248 persons - Median household income: 68287 US dollars - Median home value: 251100 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.4928324147845 percent - Responsible Disclosure for Delaware State — Report vulnerabilities or security issues for Delaware State websites and read the Disclosure Policy from the Department of Technology and Information. 2020 2020 - Total primary energy production: 2496 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 263853 Billion Btu - Population: 967679 persons - Median household income: 69110 US dollars - Median home value: 258300 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.839581538563 percent 2021 2021 - Total primary energy production: 2586 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 281136 Billion Btu - Population: 981892 persons - Median household income: 72724 US dollars - Median home value: 269700 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.6844349680171 percent 2022 2022 - Total primary energy production: 2933 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 275231 Billion Btu - Population: 993635 persons - Median household income: 79325 US dollars - Median home value: 305200 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.4437291986368 percent 2023 2023 - Total primary energy production: 3326 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 268525 Billion Btu - Population: 1005872 persons - Median household income: 82855 US dollars - Median home value: 326800 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.0535311647562 percent - Delaware enacts the Climate Change Solutions Act — Delaware enacted the Climate Change Solutions Act, establishing statutory emissions goals, regular Climate Action Plan updates and climate considerations across state agencies. 2024 2024 - Total primary energy production: 2932 Billion Btu - Total energy consumption: 261559 Billion Btu - Population: 1021191 persons - Median household income: 84954 US dollars - Median home value: 352000 US dollars - Unemployment rate: 5.1140804921775 percent - Delaware enacts the Energy Solutions Act — Delaware enacted the Energy Solutions Act to create processes for offshore-wind procurement and greater flexibility in connecting renewable energy to the transmission grid. 2026 2026 - Historical Markers — This is a directly relevant official development for Delaware: “Historical Markers”. Its implications are limited to what the official source establishes. === Regional places === - Government: Dover — Dover is Delaware's capital, combining modern state-government functions with colonial and founding-era history around The Green. - Major city: Wilmington — Wilmington is Delaware's largest urban center and a major hub for finance, corporate services, transportation and Brandywine Valley history. - historic: First State National Historical Park — First State National Historical Park connects Delaware's settlement, independence, constitutional ratification and conservation history through sites across the state. - Nature & parks: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge — Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects Delaware Bay marshes and bird habitat and is an important conservation site along the Atlantic Flyway. - Education: University of Delaware — The University of Delaware in Newark is a major public research university and an anchor for education, science, engineering, agriculture and regional innovation. - Transport: Delaware Memorial Bridge — The Delaware Memorial Bridge is a major road gateway between Delaware and New Jersey and an important link in Northeast Corridor travel and freight movement. === Sources === - US_EIA TEPRB https://api.eia.gov/v2/seds/data/ - US_EIA TETCB https://api.eia.gov/v2/seds/data/ - US_CENSUS_DATA_API B01003_001E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5 - US_CENSUS_DATA_API B19013_001E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5 - US_CENSUS_DATA_API B25077_001E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5 - US_CENSUS_DATA_API B23025_003E+B23025_005E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5 - Delaware Public Archives REGIONAL_EVENT https://archives.delaware.gov/delaware-historical-markers/landing-of-the-swedes/ - State of Delaware REGIONAL_EVENT https://delaware.gov/guides/facts/ - Delaware Public Archives REGIONAL_EVENT https://archives.delaware.gov/document/ratification-document/ - Delaware River and Bay Authority REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.drba.net/facilities - Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control REGIONAL_EVENT https://dnrec.delaware.gov/coastal-zone-act/history/ - Delaware General Assembly REGIONAL_EVENT https://legis.delaware.gov/SessionLaws/Chapter?id=23757 - National Park Service REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/management/index.htm - Delaware General Assembly REGIONAL_EVENT https://legis.delaware.gov/SessionLaws/Chapter?id=41760 - Delaware General Assembly REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.legis.delaware.gov/SessionLaws/Chapter?id=42032 - archives.delaware.gov REGIONAL_EVENT https://archives.delaware.gov/delaware-historical-markers/ - delaware.gov REGIONAL_EVENT https://delaware.gov/responsible-disclosure/