Real Estate Directory - Delaware

(2005 info unless otherwise noted)

Population: 783,600
Capital city/population: Dover (32,880)
Largest cities/population:

  • Wilmington - 72,051
  • Dover - 32,880
  • Newark - 29,821

Delaware is the 49th largest state, with a total area of 2,489 square miles. The state has mild winters, with hot, humid summers. Winter temperatures average about 34ºF, to about 74ºF in the summer. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout all seasons. Delaware was the first state to ratify the federal Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming our nation’s first state. Because of this, Delaware is given first position in presidential inaugurations. Delaware is also the only state without a National Park.

HOUSING

Dover – Although the market is showing a slight slowing down regarding residential listings, it still remains more of a seller’s market. If this trend develops, it could result in sellers having to consider lesser prices offered by potential buyers.

Wilmington - There are over 53,000 housing units in Wilmington; of them, 64% are owner occupied, 30% are rental units, and of those, 6% are vacant. Average home price is $174,648.

Newark – The average home price in Newark is $168,014, with 65% of homes being owner occupied. Of the total housing market, 31% is in rental units, with the market having a 4% vacancy rate.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Principal industries include chemicals, agriculture, finance, poultry, tourism, auto assembly, and food processing. Manufactured goods include nylon, apparel, luggage, foods, autos, and railroad/aircraft equipment.

SCHOOLS

Delaware has 20 school districts, each having from one to thirty schools. Within these districts are public, charter, and technical schools, as well as training academies and schools for the deaf. Student-teacher ratio (1994) was 16:6, with the average teachers’ salary (1995) at $40,533. Universities include Delaware State, Goldey-Beacom College, the University of Delaware, Wesley College, and Wilmington College.

HISTORY

The Lenni Lanape people lived in the area at the time of Henry Hudson’s arrival in 1609. One year later, English explorer Samuel Argall entered Delaware Bay and named the area after Virginia’s governor, Lord De La Warr. Dutch settled in 1631, but the colony was destroyed by Indians. They settled again, in 1651, near New Castle. After 1682, Delaware became part of Pennsylvania, and in 1704, was allowed its own assembly. It adopted a state constitution in 1776, remaining in the Union during the Civil War.

RELIGION (2004)

The religious affiliations of the people of Delaware are:

  • Christian – 79%
    • Protestant – 68%
      • Methodist – 22%
      • Baptist – 21%
      • Lutheran – 4%
      • Presbyterian – 3%
      • Pentecostal – 3%
      • Other Protestant or general Protestant – 15%
    • Roman Catholic – 10%
    • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 2%
  • Non-Religious – 19%

DEMOGRAPHICS (2004)

The racial breakdown of the state is:

  • 72.5% White
  • 19.2% Black
  • 4.8% Hispanic
  • 2.1% Asian
  • 0.3% Native American
  • 1.7% Mixed race