01
Location
Neighboring states: Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
Local timeDover ·
U.S. States / South · Card 008
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state in the South. Its capital is Dover.
Find Delaware
● State capital · Gold highlights Delaware.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Dover
- Postal abbreviation
- DE
- Population
- 1,059,952July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 6,446 km²2,489 square miles · land and water
- Constitution ratified
- December 7, 1787One of the original thirteen states
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Delaware in context
Gold shows Delaware. The dot marks Dover.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
First State National Historical Park preserves places connected with Delaware's colonial history and its place among the original thirteen states.
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Land and water
The total area includes 5,047 km² of land and 1,399 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
The state coat of arms inside a buff-colored diamond on a blue field, with December 7, 1787 below.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · First State
History & statehood
Delaware developed from the Three Lower Counties associated with Pennsylvania. It established a separate government in 1776. On December 7, 1787, it became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
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Separate state government established
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First state to ratify the U.S. Constitution
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Constitution ratified · One of the original thirteen states
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, finance and insurance was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, professional and business services, and government and government enterprises.
Total economic output was $117.2 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Finance and insurance: 25.8%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 19.9%
- Professional and business services: 10.6%
- Government and government enterprises: 8.6%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people1.062025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 991,890 |
| 2021 | 1,005,130 |
| 2022 | 1,020,279 |
| 2023 | 1,035,354 |
| 2024 | 1,050,123 |
| 2025 | 1,059,952 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars87.282025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 68,291.9 |
| 2011 | 71,103.5 |
| 2012 | 70,562.4 |
| 2013 | 68,656.8 |
| 2014 | 73,961.7 |
| 2015 | 76,211.2 |
| 2016 | 71,941.4 |
| 2017 | 69,555.6 |
| 2018 | 70,856.4 |
| 2019 | 74,627.8 |
| 2020 | 72,728.8 |
| 2021 | 75,205.5 |
| 2022 | 81,111.8 |
| 2023 | 82,090.9 |
| 2024 | 85,350.5 |
| 2025 | 87,281.1 |
Government
Delaware has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Delaware
Knowledge check
Three questions about Delaware.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Delaware?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.