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/
