100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Delaware (DE) is the second smallest U.S. state, located on the East Coast. The capital is Dover, and the largest city is Wilmington. The state’s economy is strongly focused on financial and corporate services, with more than 60% of publicly traded U.S. companies incorporated in Delaware. Delaware was the first state to join the Union on December 7, 1787.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Delaware Abbreviation DE Capital Dover Largest city Wilmington (Population: 71 675) Current time 9:54 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 989,946 (#45 most populous US state) Area 2,490 sqmi (#49 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 7, 1787 (#1 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Delaware
The capital of Delaware is Dover, whose establishment in 1683 involved William Penn, founder of the state of Pennsylvania. As is common in the New England region of the United States, it took its name from the city of Dover in the United Kingdom. Dover became Delaware’s capital in 1777 after the seat moved from the original New Castle.
🏙️ Largest City in Delaware
The largest city in Delaware is Wilmington, which had 71,675 residents in 2023. The capital, Dover, ranks second with 39,894 residents, and the third largest city is Newark with a population of 30,169.
🕒 Time in Delaware
The current time in Delaware is 9:54. The state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and switches to daylight saving time, EDT (UTC-4), from March to November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Delaware
According to 2023 data, Delaware had 989,946 residents, making it the 45th most populous U.S. state.
📍 Area of Delaware
Delaware’s total area is only 2,490 sqmi, which makes it the 49th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About the State of Delaware
🧩 Which States Border Delaware
Delaware borders three U.S. states. Its longest boundary on the west and southwest is with Maryland, it borders Pennsylvania to the north, and New Jersey to the northeast. To the east it has access to the Atlantic Ocean via Delaware Bay.
📅 Date of Delaware Statehood
Delaware joined the Union on December 7, 1787 as the very first state, transitioning from a former colony.
📛 Delaware State Nickname
Delaware uses several nicknames. The best known is “The First State,” which refers to the fact that on December 7, 1787 it became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
“The Small Wonder” highlights that, despite its small size, Delaware has played an outsized role in the nation’s history.
A less common nickname is “The Diamond State,” which, according to legend, Delaware received from the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson, who meant to praise its strategic position on the East Coast.
⛰️ Highest Point in Delaware
The highest point in Delaware is Ebright Azimuth at only 449 ft, located near the Pennsylvania border. Only Florida has a lower high point, Britton Hill at 345 ft.
🏞️ Rivers in Delaware
The longest river in Delaware is the Delaware River, with a total course length across all states of 360 mi. It is followed by the Choptank River (71 mi), Pocomoke River (66 mi), Nanticoke River (64 mi), and Marshyhope Creek (37 mi).
🎓 Universities in Delaware
The largest university is the University of Delaware with approximately 26,000 students, founded in 1833 in Newark. In second place, with about 19,000 students, is Wilmington University, based in the city of New Castle.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Delaware
Delaware is assigned the range 197xx–199xx. You can read more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA. On the U.S. Postal Service website you can look up the ZIP code for any address.
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Weather in Delaware
The best time to visit Delaware is fall, when temperatures are still pleasant and the weather is stable. Visitors avoid summer crowds and also the colder winter weather.
Spring in Delaware tends to be rainy, with the most frequent rain in April and May. Temperatures range between 54 °F and 63 °F, the weather is changeable, and rainy and sunny days alternate quickly.
Summer in Delaware is humid and warm, with temperatures usually between 73 °F and 86 °F. Heavy rain and summer thunderstorms are common, and high humidity can make it feel muggy.
Fall in Delaware brings cooler weather, typically 54 °F to 61 °F. There are fewer rainy days than in summer, which creates good conditions for hiking.
Winter in Delaware is relatively cold, with temperatures around 28 °F to 39 °F. Heavy snowfall is common especially in January and February, when 25 cm to 35 cm can fall.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Delaware
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What to See in Delaware
1️⃣ Fort Delaware State Park
The main attraction of Fort Delaware State Park is a listed fortress built between 1848 and 1859, completely surrounded by water on Pea Patch Island. During the American Civil War, the fort served as a military prison for captured Confederate soldiers.
Today the fort is accessible by ferry, and visitors can tour it with a guide dressed in period costume.
2️⃣ Delaware Art Museum
The art museum in Wilmington is known for its collection of American art and illustration from the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the works on display are pieces by American painters Edward Hopper and Howard Pyle. In addition to exhibitions, you can join various workshops or lectures.
3️⃣ Nemours Estate
Nemours Estate is a country mansion with French-style gardens, built in the early 20th century in Wilmington. American industrialist and philanthropist Alfred Irénée du Pont built it as a gift for his second wife.
The beautiful gardens adjoining the mansion are among the largest of their kind in North America. The house is filled with art, furniture, and décor from the early 20th century. You can tour the interiors and grounds with a guide.
4️⃣ Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach on the Atlantic coast is one of Delaware’s most popular seaside resorts. It is known for its sandy beaches, clean water, and a pleasant boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants.
Besides swimming, you can try other water sports here, with surfing and kayaking among the favorites. Numerous cultural events take place in Rehoboth Beach during the summer season.
5️⃣ Brandywine Creek State Park
Brandywine Creek State Park sits near Wilmington and is known for hiking trails that run along the Brandywine River. In summer the park appeals to anglers, and an interesting spot is the old quarry that once produced millstones. In winter the park offers good cross-country skiing conditions.
6️⃣ Delaware Seashore State Park
Delaware Seashore State Park lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay. It offers plenty of activities such as fishing, surfing, and camping. Several hiking trails are marked in the park, with beautiful views of the coastline and surrounding nature.
7️⃣ Zwaanendael Museum
The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, as the name suggests, focuses on the history of the first Dutch settlement in Delaware in the 17th century. The museum building is constructed in the Dutch Renaissance style, reflecting the region’s heritage. Exhibits include ship models and other objects from the colonial era.
8️⃣ Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is best known from the NASCAR series. Nicknamed the “Monster Mile,” it is popular with motorsports fans for its unique concrete track and the charged atmosphere on race days.
You can also visit the track outside race dates to see the garage area or try a driving simulator.
9️⃣ Trap Pond State Park
Trap Pond State Park lies in the southern part of the state and is known for extensive wetlands and cypress forests. Several hiking trails run through the park, and you can paddle the wetlands by rented kayak. During the main season the park allows camping and picnicking, which makes it a good stop on a family road trip.
🔟 Hagley Museum
The Hagley Museum in Wilmington introduces visitors to American industry and commerce in the 19th century. The museum occupies a former industrial complex on the bank of the Brandywine River, in the place where a famous chemical company once operated whose main product was gunpowder.
Visitors can see original mills, workers’ homes, a water power plant, and an exhibit on gunpowder production.
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Largest Cities in Delaware
The table lists the ten largest cities in Delaware in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the census.
City County Population 1 Wilmington New Castle 71,675 Map of Wilmington 2 Dover Kent 39,894 Map of Dover 3 Newark New Castle 30,169 Map of Newark 4 Middletown New Castle 25,022 Map of Middletown 5 Milford Kent, Sussex 13,289 Map of Milford 6 Smyrna Kent, New Castle 13,277 Map of Smyrna 7 Seaford Sussex 8,735 Map of Seaford 8 Georgetown Sussex 7,873 Map of Georgetown 9 Millsboro Sussex 7,637 Map of Millsboro 10 Elsmere New Castle 6,157 Map of Elsmere -
Sports Teams in Delaware
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Delaware has no team in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no NFL team from Delaware.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team in Delaware that plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from Delaware plays in MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no MLS team from Delaware.
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Delaware State Symbols
The Delaware General Assembly has adopted dozens of official symbols, and only some of them are listed here.
State Flag of Delaware
The Delaware flag has been in use since July 24, 1913, and its exact design has changed slightly since then. The colors are derived from General George Washington’s uniform. On a blue field there is a diamond in a light yellowish brown, with the state coat of arms inside. The date December 7, 1787 marks the day Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
Great Seal of Delaware
The Great Seal of the State of Delaware was first adopted on January 17, 1777. Its central motif is the same coat of arms found on the flag. The years on the seal commemorate the establishment of the General Assembly (1704), the proclamation of statehood (1776), and the year of ratification of the Constitution (1787).
State Tree
The official state tree is American holly (Ilex opaca), which at the time of its designation in 1939 was common locally. Wreaths and other holly decorations were shipped from Delaware throughout the United States.
State Marine Animal
Since 2002 the symbol has been the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), which migrates annually in the Delaware Bay area.
State Herb
The official state herb, designated in 1996, is sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora), commonly found in coastal areas and on the edges of marshes and thickets.
State Fruit
In 2010 a law recognized strawberries as an official symbol of Delaware.
State Flower
In 1895 the state designated the peach blossom as the official flower. Orchards of these fruit trees once played an important role in the state’s agricultural production.
State Mineral
Sillimanite is a colorless, white, or gray mineral that has been the state mineral since 1977. Smaller deposits occur in New Castle County.
State Beverage
Since 1983 the official state beverage has been milk, intended to honor the efforts of local farmers.
State Dessert
Delaware even has a legally recognized state dessert, the peach pie, which points to the historical importance of this fruit. For example, in 1875 some 6 million baskets of peaches were harvested statewide. Production today is no longer as significant.
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