Economy, jobs and prices in Delaware, United States: official figures
The economy of Delaware (gross domestic product) was worth $121.9 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.4% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 10th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 9.0% on 2024.
How fast is the economy of Delaware growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in Delaware grew 5.1% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; the fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Delaware?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $115,043 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 3rd highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of Delaware growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in Delaware grew at an annual rate of 3.5% (United States: 2.2%); tied for 2nd fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Delaware?
In 2025 the largest private industry in Delaware's economy was finance and insurance (34.4% of GDP), followed by real estate, rental and leasing (14.1%) and health care and social assistance (7.2%). Government accounted for 8.2% and manufacturing for 6.9%; the manufacturing share was 12th lowest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in Delaware spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in Delaware came to $63,664 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 16th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs Delaware expensive to live in?
Prices in Delaware were 0.2% below the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 99.8 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 20th most expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in Delaware?
Prices in Delaware rose 3.7% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in Delaware?
Personal income per person in Delaware was $68,630 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 18th lowest of 51. It was up 5.1% on 2024 and up 23.6% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in Delaware?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $59,120 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 11th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in Delaware?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in Delaware was $55,185 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 13th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Delaware?
Median household income in Delaware was $87,534 in 2024 (margin of error ±$2,747), against $81,604 for the United States; 14th highest of 51 by the point estimate. It was up 4.5% on 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Delaware?
The Gini index of household income inequality in Delaware was 0.448 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); tied for 8th least unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Delaware?
The unemployment rate in Delaware was 4.6% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), down from 5.2% a year earlier; tied for 11th highest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in Delaware?
In September 2026, 23,390 people in Delaware were unemployed and 481,359 employed, out of a labor force of 504,749.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in Delaware in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in Delaware averaged 4.8% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 3.9% in 2024; 7th highest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 3.0% in 1987.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Delaware?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in Delaware were paid $75,665 on average in 2025 ($1,455 a week), up 4.5% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 15th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Delaware?
Employers in Delaware had an average of 481,552 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 47,742 establishments, up 0.9% on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in Delaware?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Delaware was $52,190 in May 2025 (mean $69,880); 19th highest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $31,650 and one in ten more than $127,690.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in Delaware?
The most common occupation in Delaware in May 2025 was registered nurses, with 14,290 workers and a median annual wage of $99,520.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Delaware?
Median household income in Delaware was $87,510 in 2024, 14th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $70,348, so it has risen 24.4% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Delaware?
The median gross rent in Delaware, including utilities, was $1,530 a month in 2024, up 12.7% on 2023 ($1,358); 18th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in Delaware?
Homeowners in Delaware valued their homes at a median of $371,600 in 2024, up 3.3% on 2023 ($359,700); 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Delaware?
The median home value in Delaware was 4.2 times the median household income in 2024 ($371,600 against $87,510); 25th highest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in Delaware?
A household on the median income in Delaware would spend 21.0% of its income on the median rent of $1,530 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Delaware compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
Delaware ranks 42 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Idaho | $137.4 billion |
| 40 | New Hampshire | $128.3 billion |
| 41 | Hawaii | $123.2 billion |
| 42 | Delaware | $121.9 billion |
| 43 | West Virginia | $111.3 billion |
| 44 | Maine | $101.7 billion |
| 45 | Rhode Island | $88.2 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
Delaware ranks 3 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $278,205 |
| 2 | New York | $123,273 |
| 3 | Delaware | $115,043 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $113,724 |
| 5 | Washington | $111,518 |
| 6 | California | $109,196 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $103,727 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
Delaware ranks 1 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 5.1% |
| 2 | Alaska | 4.7% |
| 3 | California | 3.5% |
| 4 | South Carolina | 3.3% |
| 5 | Washington | 3.2% |
| 6 | Idaho | 3.1% |
| 7 | Kentucky | 3.0% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
Delaware ranks 3 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 4.0% |
| 2 | South Carolina | 3.5% |
| 3 | Delaware | 3.5% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 3.4% |
| 5 | Utah | 3.4% |
| 6 | Georgia | 3.1% |
| 7 | Florida | 3.0% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
Delaware ranks 34 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Missouri | $69,836 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $69,274 |
| 33 | Kansas | $69,149 |
| 34 | Delaware | $68,630 |
| 35 | Arizona | $68,373 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $68,274 |
| 37 | Ohio | $67,584 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
Delaware ranks 39 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Indiana | $55,562 |
| 37 | Oregon | $55,451 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $55,219 |
| 39 | Delaware | $55,185 |
| 40 | Utah | $55,116 |
| 41 | Michigan | $53,569 |
| 42 | Georgia | $52,952 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
Delaware ranks 14 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Connecticut | $96,049 |
| 12 | Alaska | $95,665 |
| 13 | Virginia | $92,090 |
| 14 | Delaware | $87,534 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $87,117 |
| 16 | New York | $85,820 |
| 17 | Oregon | $85,220 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
Delaware ranks 20 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Arizona | 100.7 |
| 18 | Nevada | 100.0 |
| 19 | Illinois | 100.0 |
| 20 | Delaware | 99.8 |
| 21 | Utah | 98.9 |
| 22 | Minnesota | 98.6 |
| 23 | Vermont | 98.0 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
Delaware ranks 12 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Nevada | 4.7% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 4.7% |
| 11 | Illinois | 4.6% |
| 12 | Delaware | 4.6% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 4.5% |
| 14 | Texas | 4.4% |
| 15 | Florida | 4.4% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
Delaware ranks 7 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Michigan | 5.2% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 5.2% |
| 6 | Oregon | 5.2% |
| 7 | Delaware | 4.8% |
| 8 | Washington | 4.7% |
| 9 | Alaska | 4.7% |
| 10 | Illinois | 4.6% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
Delaware ranks 46 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Louisiana | 58.3% |
| 44 | Kentucky | 57.9% |
| 45 | North Carolina | 57.8% |
| 46 | Delaware | 57.8% |
| 47 | Florida | 57.3% |
| 48 | Alabama | 56.8% |
| 49 | New Mexico | 56.6% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
Delaware ranks 15 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Illinois | $80,038 |
| 13 | Texas | $77,964 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $76,940 |
| 15 | Delaware | $75,665 |
| 16 | Alaska | $75,391 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $74,308 |
| 18 | Oregon | $73,706 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
Delaware ranks 19 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | New Hampshire | $55,880 |
| 17 | Virginia | $55,690 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $52,480 |
| 19 | Delaware | $52,190 |
| 20 | Illinois | $51,960 |
| 21 | Maine | $51,430 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $50,270 |
Median household income (2024)
Delaware ranks 14 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Alaska | $96,336 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $95,670 |
| 13 | Virginia | $92,116 |
| 14 | Delaware | $87,510 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $87,120 |
| 16 | New York | $85,768 |
| 17 | Oregon | $84,897 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
Delaware ranks 18 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Utah | $1,593 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $1,558 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $1,550 |
| 18 | Delaware | $1,530 |
| 19 | Georgia | $1,506 |
| 20 | Texas | $1,475 |
| 21 | Alaska | $1,444 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
Delaware ranks 22 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Florida | $396,900 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $396,900 |
| 21 | Alaska | $376,500 |
| 22 | Delaware | $371,600 |
| 23 | Vermont | $352,800 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $344,600 |
| 25 | Georgia | $343,300 |
More on Delaware: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
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