DELAWARE
POPULATION DENSITY
People per square mile, 2010: 460.8
People per square mile, 2020: 508.0
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2040

Year |
Population |
1790 |
59,096 |
1800 |
64,273 |
1810 |
72,674 |
1820 |
72,749 |
1830 |
76,748 |
1840 |
78,085 |
1850 |
91,532 |
1860 |
112,216 |
1870 |
125,015 |
1880 |
146,608 |
1890 |
168,493 |
1900 |
184,735 |
1910 |
202,322 |
1920 |
223,003 |
1930 |
238,380 |
1940 |
266,505 |
1950 |
318,085 |
1960 |
446,292 |
1970 |
548,104 |
1980 |
594,338 |
1990 |
666,168 |
2000 |
783,600 |
2010 |
897,934 |
2020 |
989,948 |
2030 |
1,082,192 |
2040 |
1,164,344 |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census & Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
(The Census Bureau and Weldon Cooper Center have not yet provided updated State projections to reflect 2020 census numbers.)
Population by County
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Delaware Population News Articles
Delaware needs permitting reform to meet growing energy demand - May 8, 2026
Delaware's population grew fast; what's driving it? – April 3, 2026
Part 5: Delaware’s population is rising. But nowhere near as fast as the Delaware budget - February 18, 2026
ChristianaCare plans southern Delaware health campus to expand access as Sussex County population grows - February 12, 2026
Millsboro sewage leak raises questions about aging infrastructure - January 28, 2026
These Newark, Delaware 4th graders are lobbying for wetland protections – Jan 20, 2026
Why Trump is threatening to cut federal funding from Delaware – Jan 14, 2026
DuPont Nature Center to Showcase Environmental Art Throughout Season – Jan 14, 2026
Delaware proposes plan to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 – Jan 8, 2026
‘A place to belong’: Wilmington mayor taps local homeless organization to manage unhoused encampment on city’s east side - Jan 6, 2026
Public can help shape next Delaware Climate Action Plan – Sep 16, 2025
New survey offers snapshot of where Delawareans stand on climate change – Sep 5, 2025
Road projects remain in pipeline – Sep 9, 2025
Toxic emissions reduced at Croda’s chemical plant – Sep 2, 2025
4 Endangered Animals Fighting For Survival In Delaware – Aug 29, 2025
Potential federal funding cuts worry Delaware's climate scientists – Mar 5, 2025
Delaware Residents See Surging Electric Bills as State Pushes Green Mandates – Mar 3, 2025
It'll be this much hotter in your Delaware county by 2040, climate predictions show – Oct 30, 2024
Delaware Forest Service Opens Grants for Local Communities – Oct 28, 2024
Delaware water supply still in good shape despite worsening drought – Oct 26, 2024
As Delaware’s homeless population rises, a new shelter looks to offer hope and healing in Dover – Oct 25, 2025
Newly arrived English learners a positive for existing Els – Oct 23, 2024
Governor Carney Signs Package of Legislation to Combat Effects of Climate Change – Sept 5, 2024
Southern Delaware ‘Tent City’ disappears, leaving Georgetown’s homeless in the shadows – Aug 27, 2024
Tired of Delaware's heat advisories, scorching summer weather? Winter is coming – Aug 11, 2024
Delaware's allergy season is getting longer. Here's how to find relief – June 1, 2024
Delaware count finds ‘unsurprising’ 9% increase state’s homeless population – May 30, 2024
DNREC speaks on Air Quality in Delaware – May 22, 2024
Delaware Flood Awareness Week: Floods cost Delawareans millions every year – May 21, 2024
Sen. Chris Coons learns about Lewes-area land conservation efforts – September 28, 2023
Delaware Aglands Hits Milestone Permanently Preserving Over 150,000 Acres – September 21, 2023
43,000 acres of forest cleared for development in Sussex County. Without legal protections, woodlands are vanishing – September 18, 2023
The 3 Fastest-Growing Counties in Delaware Are Exploding in Growth – September 15, 2023
How Big Is Delaware? See Its Size in Miles, Acres, and How It Compares to Other States – September 6, 2023
Delaware legislation to provide kids health care regardless of immigration status stymied – June 4, 2023
What to know about spring allergy season in Delaware: Causes, treatment and what to avoid – June 14, 2023
Delaware is coping with hazardous air quality – June 8, 2023
Extreme Precipitation in Northeast to Increase 52% by 2099 – June 7, 2023
Discover the Highest Point in Delaware – June 6, 2023
Delaware to receive $5M to improve road safety through technology – May 30, 2023
Delaware to study climate change impact on the Inland Bays – December 7, 2022
Homelessness in Delaware continues to increase as state services, pandemic funds dwindle – November 17, 2022
Delaware adds 120,000 trees as part of ‘Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative’ – November 10, 2022
Carper focused on coastal resiliency funds – June 30, 2022
Picking up after dogs helps environment – June 29, 2022
Wilmington, DNREC release city climate change report – June 23, 2022
DNREC chief sends Delaware City refinery permit renewal to feds for review – June 6, 2022
Delaware to Adopt Zero Emission Vehicle Regulation – March 3, 2022
Carper talks coastal resiliency in Bethany – March 3, 2022
Delaware seeks to build severe weather awareness – March 1, 2022
Delaware among top in U.S. for overall affordability – February 28, 2022
