County · Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware. New Castle County had 588,026 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.0% since 2020, slower than Delaware (+7.1%). It holds 28 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs and 13 census-designated) and 145 census tracts. GEOID 10003.
New Castle County is one of the 11 counties of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
588,026
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 570,719 · ACS 2020-2024: 577,961
Median household income
$91,166
±$1,765 (90% margin)
Delaware: $84,954
Median home value
$352,200
±$3,776 (90% margin)
Delaware: $352,000
Median gross rent
$1,448
±$22 (90% margin)
Delaware: $1,401
How many people live in New Castle County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 570,719 residents in New Castle County. The Census Bureau estimates 588,026 for July 1, 2025, up 3.0% since 2020, slower than Delaware (+7.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 577,961 over 426 square miles of land.
| Measure | New Castle County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 577,961 | 1,021,191 | +21,796 |
| Households | 224,173±971 | 402,038 | +18,344 |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.01 | 2.48 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 236,079±136 | 464,203 | +12,820 |
New Castle County's population since 2000
From 500,265 in 2000 to 588,026 in 2025: up 17.5%. 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 New Castle County?
New Castle County holds 28 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 13 census-designated places. The largest is Wilmington with 73,512 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wilmington | 70,898 | $58,671 |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | 30,601 | $76,912 |
| Middletown | 23,192 | $112,831 |
| Bear | 23,060 | $91,687 |
| Glasgow | 15,288 | $113,982 |
| Brookside | 14,974 | $78,328 |
| Hockessin | 13,478 | $171,204 |
| Pike Creek Valley | 11,692 | $102,434 |
| Claymont | 9,895 | $74,712 |
| Wilmington Manor | 8,162 | $78,078 |
| North Star | 8,056 | $150,733 |
| Pike Creek | 7,808 | $139,635 |
| Edgemoor | 6,635 | $59,424 |
| Elsmere | 6,229 | $67,944 |
| New Castle | 5,551 | $89,205 |
| Greenville | 3,104 | $142,844 |
| Townsend | 2,717 | $153,000 |
| St. Georges | 1,957 | $131,553 |
| Delaware City | 1,885 | $85,395 |
| Bellefonte | 1,225 | $90,694 |
| Newport | 910 | $60,761 |
| Arden | 430 | $79,306 |
| Odessa | 366 | $123,750 |
| Ardentown | 255 | $77,188 |
| ArdencroftGEOID 1001530 | 226 | $130,688 |
| Port PennGEOID 1058600 | 162 | $72,009 |
| Smyrna | 12,883 | $67,048 |
| Clayton | 3,961 | $107,307 |
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 New Castle County?
The median resident of New Castle County is 39.3 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 17.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.9%. 12.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | New Castle County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3±0.2 | 41.6 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.1 pts | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.1%±0.1 pts | 20.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.8% | 11.0% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.3%±0.2 pts | 58.1% | −5.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 24.9%±0.3 pts | 21.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.2%±0.1 pts | 4.3% | +0.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±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 | 4.2%±0.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.8%±0.5 pts | 10.7% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.3%±0.5 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±0.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.9%±0.4 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | +1.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6%±0.4 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.7%±0.8 pts | 35.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.2%±0.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8%±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 New Castle County earn?
Half of New Castle County's 224,173 households earn less than $91,166 a year (±$1,765), against $84,954 in Delaware. In 2015-2019 it was $90,938 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | New Castle County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $91,166±$1,765 | $84,954 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $120,512±$1,914 | $112,616 | – |
| Per capita income | $47,777±$774 | $45,375 | +$1,587 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.1%±0.6 pts | 10.4% | −1.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.7%±1.5 pts | 15.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±0.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.2%±0.5 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 New Castle County?
Owners occupy 69.0% of New Castle County's occupied homes and renters 31.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $352,200 by its owner (±$3,776). The median renter pays $1,448 a month including utilities, and 38.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | New Castle County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $352,200±$3,776 | $352,000 | +$31,235 |
| Median gross rent | $1,448±$22 | $1,401 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.9%±1.9 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,882±$23 | $1,816 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.0%±0.9 pts | 73.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 236,079±136 | 464,203 | +12,820 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±0.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.0%±0.8 pts | 59.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.8%±0.5 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 New Castle County building?
Builders took permits for 1,322 new housing units across New Castle County in 2025 (1,128 single-family), 2.2 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 New Castle County get to work?
68.6% of New Castle County's workers drive alone and 17.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | New Castle County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.7%±0.5 pts | 62.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±0.4 pts | 5.1% | −1.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 68.6%±0.9 pts | 71.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±0.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.6%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±0.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.6%±0.6 pts | 15.0% | +13.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±0.4 | 26.0 min | −0.9 min |
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 New Castle County's census tracts?
New Castle County is divided into 145 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,611 (Tract 29) to $203,107 (Tract 117).
All 145 census tracts of New Castle County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does New Castle County compare with Delaware's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 3 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 3 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 3 |
| Median household income | 1st of 3 |
| Median home value | 2nd of 3 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 3 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 3 |
| Median age | 2nd 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 New Castle 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.