One of the Mid-Atlantic states, Delaware occupies the northeastern corner of the Delmarva Peninsula, with a long shoreline along the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, sitting across the water from southern New Jersey. The state is not heavily populated, with most of its towns and cities strung along a corridor of highways running north to south. The major cities include Dover, Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, and Georgetown. Most of the state's population lives in the northern part of the state, leaving the south largely rural. Delaware's economy is supported by finance and banking, government, education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, chemical production, and agriculture. Given its proximity to the ocean, the state is a strong draw for coastal homeowners.

Delaware is one of the least-populous states, with a population of roughly 1.06 million as of 2025. Despite its small size, it is widely known as a corporate home base: a large share of U.S. companies choose to incorporate in the state, and the resulting franchise taxes make up a significant portion of Delaware's revenue.

DE - Top Places to Live

As of 2025, the typical home value in Delaware is around $395,000 (Zillow), reflecting steady appreciation over the past decade. Some of the most expensive communities in the state are the coastal towns of Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Lewes, along with Selbyville and Dagsboro. More affordable areas include Laurel, Seaford, New Castle, Dover, and Milford.

Next, we'll cover some of the larger cities in DE.

Wilmington

Population: roughly 71,700 (2024 estimate)

Wilmington's economy is shaped by its favorable laws for corporations and banking, and a number of major financial institutions maintain a significant presence in the city. Among the largest employers in the Wilmington area are the State of Delaware, ChristianaCare, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, WSFS Bank, and AstraZeneca.

Dover

Population: roughly 39,800 (2024 estimate)

Dover is the capital of Delaware, and though its city population is relatively small, its surrounding metropolitan area is considerably larger. The state government is a major employer, along with Dover Air Force Base, Bayhealth Medical Center, and a longstanding Procter & Gamble manufacturing operation.

Newark

Population: roughly 30,300 (2024 estimate)

Home to the University of Delaware, Newark is one of the state's largest cities. It sits roughly halfway between Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nearby Middletown and Bear are among the fastest-growing communities in the state.

Banks & Credit Unions in Delaware

Despite its reputation as a corporate haven, relatively few banks are headquartered in the state. Even so, consumers in DE have a wide range of options for all of their banking needs. Here are a few to consider:

Banks Headquartered in Delaware

  • WSFS Bank
  • Barclays Bank Delaware

Credit Unions

  • Dover Federal Credit Union
  • Del-One Federal Credit Union
  • Sussex County Federal Credit Union
  • DEXSTA Federal Credit Union

National Brands with Local Branches

  • TD Bank
  • Bank of America
  • Wells Fargo Bank
  • M&T Bank
  • PNC Bank
  • Capital One

DE Mortgage Lenders

RateZip.com can help homebuyers find the right fit, especially with detailed mortgage rate comparisons. Home shoppers in DE will find all of the usual products - fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate loans (ARMs), jumbo products, and FHA and VA home loans. First-time and repeat buyers may also want to explore the programs offered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), which include competitively priced mortgages and down-payment assistance for qualified borrowers. Because mortgage rates move constantly, compare current offers on RateZip before you lock in.