Small Wonder

In 1787 Delaware became the first to ratify the United States Constitution, earning the moniker of the First State. Today, Delaware remains at the forefront of commerce, creative cuisine, and boundless recreation.

0% State sales tax

0.56%

Effective state property tax rate, seventh-lowest in the country

Social security income is not taxed

Capital gains are subject to tax.

Delaware repealed its estate tax in 2018, and there is no inheritance tax

The state’s cost of living index is 102.7, just slightly higher than the national average

As you approach the state line, there's a sign that says "Welcome to Delaware –Small Wonder." It's a creative and sublime way to remind us that the First State is also the second smallest after Rhode Island. Yet, it's bountiful in its stretches of protected Atlantic shoreline, poignant historical sites, countless festivals, famous craft breweries, and delectable blue crabs from Delaware Bay. We might add Delaware’s venerable sand-in-your-toes Atlantic boardwalks, like at Rehoboth Beach, where Candy Kitchen has been making saltwater taffy since 1937… yum! Delaware is one of three giant puzzle pieces that make up the Delmarva Peninsula, along with the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia. Delaware is the top-right piece, crowned by Wilmington, and the state capital of Dover.

Climate

Despite its diminutive size, there is a marked difference in the mean temperature and amount of snowfall in Delaware from north to south. Temperatures in the southern part of the state are moderated by the stabilizing breezes off the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. The state boasts a valued four-season climate without the extremes of heat and cold.

Health Care

U.S. News & World Report ranks Delaware #6 in the country for overall health care, including a #1 ranking in the category of hospital quality. Major hospital facilities are concentrated in more-populated northern Delaware, with Christiana Hospital in Newark leading the field in several disciplines.

Beaches & More

Recreation begins with the beach, whether you want the bustle of the boardwalk in Rehoboth or the protected serenity of nature at Delaware Seashore State Park. The Cape Henlopen State Park is 4,000 acres of walking and biking trails, bird sanctuaries, and beautiful beaches. Festivals and events abound, including the Delaware Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival in Wilmington on June 25. The Dover Motor Speedway is home to both NASCAR next spring and the famous Firefly Music Festival this fall on September 22.