County · Delaware
Kent County, Delaware
Kent County, Delaware. Kent County had 194,786 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.1% since 2020, in line with Delaware (+7.1%). It holds 27 places (20 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 42 census tracts. GEOID 10001.
Kent County is the county of the Dover, DE metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
194,786
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 181,851 · ACS 2020-2024: 187,604
Median household income
$74,477
±$2,101 (90% margin)
Delaware: $84,954
Median home value
$316,600
±$6,188 (90% margin)
Delaware: $352,000
Median gross rent
$1,354
±$31 (90% margin)
Delaware: $1,401
How many people live in Kent County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 181,851 residents in Kent County. The Census Bureau estimates 194,786 for July 1, 2025, up 7.1% since 2020, in line with Delaware (+7.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 187,604 over 586 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kent County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 187,604 | 1,021,191 | +10,905 |
| Households | 71,424±603 | 402,038 | +5,628 |
| Average household size | 2.57±0.02 | 2.48 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 76,325±67 | 464,203 | +4,572 |
Kent County's population since 2000
From 126,697 in 2000 to 194,786 in 2025: up 53.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Kent County?
Kent County holds 27 places: 20 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Dover with 40,592 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Dover | 39,403 | $60,199 |
|---|---|---|
| Smyrna | 12,883 | $67,048 |
| Milford | 11,190 | $59,464 |
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,104 | $113,529 |
| Clayton | 3,961 | $107,307 |
| Harrington | 3,774 | $72,679 |
| Camden | 3,715 | $63,267 |
| Highland Acres | 3,492 | $102,356 |
| Dover Base HousingGEOID 1021387 | 2,810 | $82,161 |
| Woodside East | 2,570 | $61,142 |
| RiverviewGEOID 1061480 | 2,458 | $93,162 |
| Kent Acres | 2,144 | $91,524 |
| Cheswold | 1,923 | $86,875 |
| Wyoming | 1,680 | $69,603 |
| Rodney Village | 1,489 | $43,558 |
| Felton | 1,316 | $59,896 |
| FredericaGEOID 1028440 | 1,073 | $80,924 |
| HoustonGEOID 1036760 | 381 | $68,889 |
| BowersGEOID 1007250 | 278 | $67,500 |
| Magnolia | 277 | $113,333 |
| KentonGEOID 1039100 | 215 | $44,665 |
| Little CreekGEOID 1042870 | 195 | $68,750 |
| WoodsideGEOID 1080830 | 190 | $79,375 |
| LeipsicGEOID 1041700 | 178 | $44,886 |
| ViolaGEOID 1074330 | 140 | not published |
| FarmingtonGEOID 1025840 | 92 | not published |
| HartlyGEOID 1033250 | 73 | $152,813 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kent County?
The median resident of Kent County is 38.8 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 18.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 56.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 26.4%. 7.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kent County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8±0.4 | 41.6 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8%±0.1 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.3%±0.1 pts | 20.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.1% | 11.0% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 56.5%±0.3 pts | 58.1% | −5.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 26.4%±0.6 pts | 21.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.2 pts | 4.3% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.4%±0.8 pts | 10.7% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.4%±1.0 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.9%±0.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6%±0.9 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±0.8 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.0%±0.7 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.5%±1.4 pts | 35.8% | +3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.1%±1.0 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±0.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Kent County earn?
Half of Kent County's 71,424 households earn less than $74,477 a year (±$2,101), against $84,954 in Delaware. In 2015-2019 it was $74,962 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kent County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,477±$2,101 | $84,954 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,801±$2,201 | $112,616 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,191±$762 | $45,375 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.6%±1.0 pts | 10.4% | −2.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.8%±2.4 pts | 15.0% | −5.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.7%±1.1 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.1%±1.0 pts | 92.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Kent County?
Owners occupy 72.5% of Kent County's occupied homes and renters 27.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $316,600 by its owner (±$6,188). The median renter pays $1,354 a month including utilities, and 42.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kent County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $316,600±$6,188 | $352,000 | +$45,109 |
| Median gross rent | $1,354±$31 | $1,401 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.9%±3.9 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,741±$38 | $1,816 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.5%±1.3 pts | 73.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Housing units | 76,325±67 | 464,203 | +4,572 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7%±1.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.5%±1.1 pts | 59.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.0%±1.1 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.7%±0.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Kent County building?
Builders took permits for 1,261 new housing units across Kent County in 2025 (1,030 single-family), 6.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kent County get to work?
77.5% of Kent County's workers drive alone and 8.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Kent County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.0%±0.9 pts | 62.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±0.8 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.5%±1.5 pts | 71.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4%±1.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7%±0.8 pts | 15.0% | +4.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min±0.7 | 26.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Kent County's census tracts?
Kent County is divided into 42 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,583 (Tract 413) to $119,951 (Tract 422.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kent County compare with Delaware's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 3 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 2nd of 3 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 3 |
| Median household income | 3rd of 3 |
| Median home value | 3rd of 3 |
| Median gross rent | 2nd of 3 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3rd of 3 |
| Median age | 3rd of 3 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Kent County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.