Welcome to Delaware

Your life in the First State begins

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Welcome to Delaware

Small but mighty Delaware is nestled in the heart of the East Coast and makes up part of the Mid-Atlantic Region. It's biggest city, Wilmington, is located just over 30 miles from Philadelphia. Delaware is known as the First State, because it was the first former colony to ratify a constitution. The state is also known for its friendly business environment, sandy Atlantic beaches, having its own slice of Amish Country, and world class entertainment.

Delaware's incorporation laws makes it an easy place to do business, that's why more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies are Delaware corporations–even if their headquarters are located elsewhere. Many Delawareans also work elsewhere, many of whom commute one to three hours to jobs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and even as far as New York City. That's because Delaware's low cost of living, idyllic surroundings, and close to proximity to hot East Coast job markets makes it an ideal place for many folks to move and start a new life.

Delaware Self-Storage Facts

Delaware has seen a boomlet in self-storage development, thanks to a national trend of record-high levels of self-storage construction that has been taking place over the last several years. While parts of Delaware have grown by leaps and bounds, self-storage developers weren't keeping up with demand in the wake of the last recession. Now they are playing catch up, building new facilities and converting vacant retail stores wherever they can reach a growing population segment. Delaware's location on the I-95 corridor, tourist attractions, and growing population make it a promising market for self-storage operators to pursue.

Here's some fast facts about the state of the Delaware's self-storage industry:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Delaware:

110

Delaware is home to about 110 self-storage facilities.

934,695

Delaware self-storage facilities cover 934,695 square feet of storage space.

4.52

Delaware storage facilities offer 4.52 square feet of storage per person, which is less than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to Delaware

If you're thinking about making the move to Connecticut but still need a little more convincing, below are some of the most appealing and alluring facts about this great state. Whether you’re relocating to Connecticut for work or choosing to settle here to raise a family, you’re sure to find plenty to make the move worthwhile.

1

Right by the beach! Delaware might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of awesome beaches, but sure enough they are there. While the beaches get swamped by tourists in the summer--especially popular Rehoboth Beach, locals can enjoy close proximity to the shore all year long.

2

No sales tax. Delaware levies no sales tax on purchases, which makes Delaware a shopping destination for folks from other states. It also means all of the country's best retailers are located here to take advantage of the popularity.

3

Amish country. You though the Amish were just in Pennsylvania and Ohio? Think again. The Dover area is home to around 1,000 Amish. You'll see horse drawn buggies everywhere and you'll enjoy eating their delicious traditional foods.

4

Affordable housing. One reason new home buyers are flocking to Delaware is that they can afford to buy a house here. With a median home value of $236,300, the American dream is well within reach.

5

Welcome to Delmarva country. Most of the state is located in the Delmarva Peninsula, so named after the three states that occupy it: Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The Peninsula is formed by the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River, Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The area has its own distinct culture and way of life that you have to experience to believe.

6

Woo sports! Delaware may not have any major league sports franchises, but locals nuts for the minor league basketball, baseball, soccer and rugby teams. With Philadelphia arenas a short drive away and Dover bringing NASCAR and other races throughout the year, Delaware is actually a sports-lovers dream.

7

It's steeped in history. Delaware was one of the first colonies and still features plenty of architectural sites and museums. From the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck to the expansive French gardens of the Versailles-inspired Nemours Estate to historic Fort Delaware, the state might be small but its big on roadside attractions.

8

Let the music come to you. Delaware doesn't always attract the biggest headlining acts as they book dates in the state's more populous neighbors. But every June the Firefly Music Festival brings some of the world's biggest performers to Dover for three days of music--and its not to be missed!

9

Wilmington is a real gem. Although it is one of the smallest cities to be the most populous city in a state, there is still lots to see and explore in this historic city like the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Delaware Art Museum, the Wilmington Riverwalk, and The Queen music venue.

10

Come for the home prices, stay for the popcorn. Fenwick Island, DE-based Fisher's Popcorn is known around the world for creating some of the most addicting caramel corn in existence. One taste of the boardwalk confection and you'll never get enough.

Moving to Delaware

Covering just 1,982 square miles, Delaware is the second smallest state in the country and is home to under a million people. While it may come in near the bottom of area and population rankings, the state is the sixth most densely populated state in the country with around 500 people per square mile. Delaware is full of small towns to discover, each with their own character and flair.

Delaware Economic Outlook

Delaware has a stable economy and home to several thriving sectors. The state has an estimated total GDP of more than $72 billion, and it is one of the country's fastest growing states by GDP. The median income for Delaware residents is $62,852 a year. The state also has a low unemployment rate of just 3.5 percent.

Here is a breakdown of Delaware's biggest economic sectors by percent share of GDP:

16.8 percent
Finance and insurance
8.2 percent
Real estate and rental and leasing
5.5 percent
Government and government enterprises
4.3 percent
Healthcare and social assistance
3.7 percent
Manufacturing

Who are Delaware's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
DuPont (Wilmington)
46,000
Integrity Staffing Solutions (Newark)
26,000
W. L. Gore & Associates (Newark)
9,500
Swissport Holding Inc (Wilmington)
9,140
University of Delaware (Newark)
9,010

Places to live in Delaware

While Delaware is only 1,954 square miles, there are quite a few places to leave. Everything is just really close to each other! Much of the state is actually rural, with small towns scattered about. It's less than an hour drive between populous Wilmington to the north to the state capital of Dover to the south. The state is divided into North and South, with much of NorDel considered an extension of the Philadelphia suburbs, while SoDel is known for its country living and beach town tourism.

Here a few of the top spots in Delaware to move to:

Wilmington

Founded on the same site as the New World's first Swedish settlement, Wilmington is now the biggest city in the state. The city is known as the Corporate Capital because of the number of corporations that legally incorporated in the city. Its low cost of living compared to other East Coast cities make it a place to live for some people who don't mind commuting an hour or more a day for higher paying jobs.

Cost of living
7.7 percent higher than national average
Median home price
$189,000
Average rent
$1,168/month
Average apartment size
864 square feet

Dover

Dover is the state capital, with a population of 37,538 residents. It's location in the middle of the state and the low cost of living has led to increased population growth over the last few years.

Cost of living
2 percent higher than national average
Median home price
$207,000
Average rent
$1,022/month

Newark

Newark, DE is just 12 miles west of Wilmington and is the state's third largest city, with a population of 33,673 residents. Newark is home to the University of Delaware, which makes this college town an excellent place to live and work.

Cost of living
10 percent higher than national average
Median home price
$233,700
Average rent
$1,234/month
Average apartment size
896 square feet

Moving to Delaware Resources