City profile · Delaware · Census ACS 2023

New Castle, DE

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for New Castle - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,519
Residents
$92,565
Median income
$262,100
Median home
$1,810
Median rent (state)

New Castle - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, New Castle lands in the 73rd percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

73rd
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
8th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: New Castle, DE

New Castle is a small town in Delaware, home to 5,519 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. New Castle households earn a median of $92,565 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.0%. Typical homes in New Castle are valued around $262,100, and the median resident age is 46.4 years. 32.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 22 residential building permits were authorized in New Castle (Building Boom), up 450% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. New Castle's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3908.5 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Delaware tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Delaware scores 99.8 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,810 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Delaware run around $243, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

5,519 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Delaware

Median Household Income

$92,565 /yr

Poverty 1.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

99.8 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Delaware average

How does New Castle compare to other US cities?

New Castle measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 73% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Delaware alone, New Castle ranks #23 of 31 Delaware cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares New Castle against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Delaware only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Delaware-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places New Castle toward the bottom of Delaware's cities

Among the 79 Delaware cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, New Castle ranks #69 - the 13th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares New Castle only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#25 of 77
68th percentile in Delaware
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 79
67th percentile in Delaware
Median Home Value
#53 of 77
31st percentile in Delaware
Poverty Rate
#69 of 79
13th percentile in Delaware
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#42 of 79
47th percentile in Delaware

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Delaware only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

73rdIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

73rd percentile nationally for median household income · 8th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

New Castle's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

New Castle's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 38 Avg. percentile National median
New Castle's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How New Castle's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$262,100 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. New Castle $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - New Castle, DE New Castle, DE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New Castle, DE-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution New Castle, DE median $92,565/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
New Castle, DE's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for New Castle, DE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,519
Median Income
$92,565
Median Home Value
$262,100
Median Age
46.4
Poverty Rate
1.0%
Labor force participation
64.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3908.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
378.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3530.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,400 residents5,500 residents5,600 residents5,700 residents5,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,538 residents 5,726 residents ▲ +3.4%
New Castle's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
22
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 2
2021 14
2022 12
2023 41
2024 22

Permit volume increased 450% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.8%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
18.5%

Based on 3,072 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Delaware - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$243
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Delaware state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Delaware state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county New Castle sits in

Cost of Living Index
99.8
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,810/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Delaware

Elsmere
6,189 people
Edgemoor
6,671 people
Rising Sun-Lebanon
4,195 people
Clayton
4,086 people
Laurel
4,043 people
Camden
4,011 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New Castle's 5,519 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

White Hall, AR
5,520 people
Spencer, MA
5,520 people
Noroton, CT
5,522 people
Silver Springs, NV
5,523 people
Berlin, WI
5,523 people
Gray, LA
5,524 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New Castle's $92,565 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Grand Point, LA
$92,560 median income
Lake Wynonah, PA
$92,572 median income
Morro Bay, CA
$92,553 median income
Wilmington Island, GA
$92,578 median income
Gardner, KS
$92,579 median income
Ora, IN
$92,550 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New Castle, DE Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition New Castle, DE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.8% 27.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.2% White 64.8% Black or African American 27.8% Asian 0.9% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.0% Two or more races 2.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How New Castle compares to nearby Delaware cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
New Castle (this city) 5,519 $92,565
Elsmere 6,189 $76,378
Edgemoor 6,671 $79,572
Rising Sun-Lebanon 4,195 $109,167
Census ACS 5-year FIPS DE FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New Castle, DE?

What is the population of New Castle, DE? +

New Castle, DE has a population of 5,519 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New Castle, DE? +

In New Castle, the typical household earns $92,565 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New Castle? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for New Castle; the closest available measure is the Delaware state average, a cost of living index of 99.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Delaware vary by metro area.

Is New Castle, DE safe? +

New Castle has a total crime rate of 3908.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in New Castle, DE? +

New Castle's median home value sits at $262,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.