CountyScore

New Castle County

Delaware · DE

#3 in Delaware
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About New Castle County, Delaware

New Castle scores solidly above national livability norms

New Castle County's composite score of 63.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 13 points, placing it firmly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 27% advantage over the median reflects a county where most indicators favor residents' quality of life. New Castle's score demonstrates that it offers livability well above what typical Americans experience.

New Castle ranks third among Delaware's three counties

With a score of 63.3, New Castle County falls slightly below Delaware's state average of 65.7, ranking it third among the three counties. Despite this lower ranking, the county remains competitive on a national scale and offers strong performance in specific dimensions. New Castle's slightly lower score reflects economic headwinds that its neighboring counties have navigated more successfully.

Health and income are New Castle's core strengths

New Castle County leads with a health score of 75.6 and an income score of 42.1, the highest household income in Delaware at $89,901. The county's healthcare infrastructure and earning potential represent its strongest competitive advantages statewide. New Castle also offers a respectable tax score of 81.4, providing reasonable tax efficiency for higher-earning households.

Housing costs and affordability squeeze New Castle residents

New Castle County's cost score of 60.6 reflects the highest housing expenses in Delaware, with median home values at $329,800 and rent at $1,379 per month. These housing costs are significantly higher than its neighbors, making affordability a real constraint for middle-income families. The gap between strong incomes and high housing costs suggests that homeownership requires careful financial planning.

New Castle suits higher-earning families with healthcare focus

New Castle County is the choice for well-paid professionals and health-conscious families who prioritize excellent medical facilities and higher salaries over maximum affordability. The county's healthcare strength makes it especially attractive to those with significant healthcare needs. It's best suited for dual-income or established households with the income to weather higher housing costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.4Cost60.6SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.1Risk4.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare New Castle County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Okeechobee County
Florida
63.3
Median income: $52,288
Troup County
Georgia
63.3
Median income: $54,905
Sumner County
Kansas
63.3
Median income: $60,348
Otsego County
New York
63.3
Median income: $67,086
Mahoning County
Ohio
63.3
Median income: $55,576

Deep Dives

New Castle County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in New Castle County

via TaxByCounty

New Castle taxes rank slightly above average

New Castle County's effective tax rate of 0.741% sits slightly above the national median of 0.95%, though homeowners still pay less than the national median property tax of $2,690. The median tax bill here is $2,444 on a median home valued at $329,800.

New Castle has Delaware's highest rate

New Castle County ranks first among Delaware's three counties for property tax burden, with an effective rate of 0.741% compared to the state average of 0.510%. Residents pay a median of $2,444 in annual taxes—nearly $800 more than the state median of $1,649.

New Castle stands out for higher taxes

New Castle County's 0.741% rate is significantly higher than Sussex County's 0.331% and Kent County's 0.458%. With median taxes of $2,444, New Castle homeowners pay roughly double what Sussex residents pay, despite comparable home values.

Budget around $2,444 per year

On New Castle County's median home value of $329,800, homeowners pay approximately $2,444 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $2,481; without one, it's $2,334.

Challenge assessments to lower bills

New Castle County homeowners should scrutinize their assessments closely, as overvaluations are common in higher-tax counties. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could result in significant annual savings if your assessed value is inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in New Castle County

via CostByCounty

New Castle punches above its weight economically

With a median household income of $89,901—significantly higher than the national median of $74,755—New Castle residents earn 20% more than typical American households. This income advantage translates to a 18.4% rent-to-income ratio that sits comfortably below the national average, making housing more manageable despite higher absolute costs.

Delaware's most affordable county for renters

New Castle's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 19.4%, ranking it as the most rental-affordable county in Delaware. The combination of robust household incomes and relatively stable rents creates a stronger affordability picture than its inland and coastal peers.

Highest earners, but not the cheapest rents

New Castle's $1,379 monthly rent is the priciest in the state, but its residents earn 14% more than Kent County and 15% more than Sussex County households. That income cushion allows New Castle renters to manage their higher housing costs better than their counterparts elsewhere.

Income-to-housing balance tips in New Castle's favor

Renters spend $1,379 monthly while homeowners pay $1,479, yet median household income of $89,901 ($7,492/month) means housing takes roughly 18–20% of income—the lowest burden in Delaware. New Castle's stronger wage economy provides breathing room that lower-income counties simply cannot match.

Relocating to Delaware's economic hub

New Castle County's proximity to Wilmington's financial and professional sectors commands higher rents, but the region's above-average incomes make it the most affordable choice for renters statewide. If you're moving for job growth, New Castle offers the best housing-to-income alignment among Delaware's three counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in New Castle County

via IncomeByCounty

New Castle outearns most American households

New Castle County's median household income of $89,901 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $15,146, placing residents in the upper-middle income tier nationally. This $15,000+ advantage means households here command roughly 20% more earning power than the typical U.S. family.

Delaware's highest-earning county by far

New Castle County leads all Delaware counties with a median household income of $89,901, ranking first statewide and surpassing the state average of $80,312 by $9,589. This strong performance reflects a concentration of higher-wage jobs and professional employment in the region.

New Castle significantly outpaces other Delaware counties

New Castle County households earn $89,901 annually—$11,739 more than Sussex County and $17,029 more than Kent County. This income gap makes New Castle a clear economic hub in Delaware, attracting higher-paying industries and skilled professionals.

Housing remains very affordable for residents

New Castle County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% sits well below the 20% affordability threshold, meaning renters here spend less than one-fifth of income on housing costs. This favorable ratio provides households with substantial discretionary income for savings, investments, and other expenses.

Leverage higher earnings into lasting wealth

With a median household income of $89,901, New Castle County residents have strong capacity to build generational wealth through diversified investments and retirement planning. Monthly contributions of $500 to $800 to stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts can compound into six figures over two decades, positioning households for long-term financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in New Castle County

via HealthByCounty

New Castle exceeds national health benchmarks

At 77.1 years, life expectancy here nearly matches the U.S. average of 79.3 years, and just 16.1% report poor or fair health versus the national 13.1%. New Castle performs best among Delaware counties, though there's still room to close gaps with top-performing regions.

Delaware's healthiest county

New Castle leads the state with the highest life expectancy at 77.1 years—0.7 years above Delaware's 76.4-year average. Its 16.1% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among Delaware's three counties, reflecting better overall population health.

Provider advantage drives outcomes

New Castle boasts 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly 40% more than Kent County's 51 and significantly above Sussex's 61. With 418 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers robust behavioral health access that supports longer, healthier lives.

Lowest uninsured rate in the state

Just 6.2% of New Castle County residents lack health insurance, the best rate in Delaware and below the state average of 7.3%. Abundant primary and mental health providers mean most residents can access care when needed.

Keep coverage strong and continuous

Even with strong baseline insurance rates, staying covered is essential—visit healthcare.gov or Delaware's navigator services to renew or upgrade your plan. Continuous coverage ensures you can maintain preventive care and catch emerging health issues early.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in New Castle County

via RiskByCounty

New Castle County faces high risk

New Castle County's composite risk score of 95.29 ranks well above the national average, earning a "Relatively High" rating for natural disaster exposure. This places the county among America's higher-risk areas, driven by exceptional flood and earthquake vulnerabilities.

Delaware's riskiest county

New Castle County tops Delaware's hazard rankings with a composite score of 95.29, significantly higher than the state average of 91.32. The county's flood risk (97.58) and tornado risk (88.14) push it well above statewide norms, making it the state's most disaster-prone area.

Notably riskier than Sussex and Kent

New Castle County's 95.29 score outpaces Sussex County (94.15) and substantially exceeds Kent County (84.51), making it Delaware's hazard hotspot. The difference is most pronounced in flood risk, where New Castle scores 97.58—among the highest in the nation for this specific threat.

Floods and tornadoes dominate exposure

Flood risk (97.58) and earthquake risk (92.88) represent New Castle County's most severe hazards, with tornado risk (88.14) also ranking dangerously high. Together, these three threats create a complex disaster landscape requiring multi-layered protection strategies.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

New Castle County residents should prioritize flood insurance immediately—the 97.58 flood risk score means many properties face genuine exposure that standard policies won't cover. Additionally, review your homeowners policy for adequate tornado/wind coverage and consider a separate earthquake policy given the 92.88 seismic risk score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.