Delaware’s most defining moment may have been in December of 1787, when it became the first of the original 13 states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Still today, Delaware proudly refers to itself as “The First State,” an official nickname no other state can claim. After the American Revolution, Delaware politicians were some of the strongest advocates of a central government with state representation. Once the two houses of Congress were added into the government structure, Delaware officials were quick to sanction the new Constitution, forever giving Delaware “The First State” status.
      Delaware is located on the Delmarva Peninsula, south of Pennsylvania, west of the Delaware River and Atlantic Ocean and east of Maryland. Covering less than 2,500 square miles of land area, Delaware is the second smallest American state. The largest cities in Delaware include Wilmington, with a population of about 72,000, and Dover, with a population of about 33,000.
      The vast majority of Delaware is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, consisting of flat and sometimes sandy land that remains at or slightly above sea level. The exception to this is a small area of rolling hills at Delaware’s northern border. This is where you’ll find the state’s highest point, just 450 feet above sea level. Delaware’s landscape actually slopes down from this hilly region, through the Coastal Plain to a marshy area at the state’s southern boundary.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The First State State Capital: Dover State Flower: Peach Blossom State Bird: Blue Hen Chicken

      Delaware’s weather is strongly affected by the proximity of the ocean, particularly in the southern areas. Summers in the south can be hot and humid, while winters are generally mild. Northern Delaware enjoys a more balanced climate, with moderate summers and cool, sometimes snowy, winters.
      Popular attractions in Delaware fall into two main categories: recreation sites and historical sites. Visitors often enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the state’s coastal towns and beaches. The tiny, beachfront city of Rehoboth Beach, for example, is one of the region’s getaway destinations. In addition, Delaware has two major oceanfront state parks, Cape Henlopen and

Delaware Seashore. Trap Pond State Park, a freshwater facility, is also popular with boaters and anglers. Historic and cultural sites include Winterthur Museum, Hagley Museum, Fort Christina Monument and the Delaware Museum of Natural History.
      Delaware’s estimated population exceeds 840,000, marking more than 7 percent growth since 2000. The state has shown strong in-migration in recent years. Prospective home buyers are attracted to the supply of affordable housing as well as the lack of a state sales tax. About 23 percent of the resident base is under 18 years of age, while 13 percent is aged 65 and older. The number of older residents is expected to grow however, as the state’s low cost of living is particularly appealing to retirees. Women outnumber men slightly, making up 51.3 percent of the population. Delaware’s racial breakdown is roughly as follows: 73 percent Caucasian, 19 percent African-American, 2 percent Asian and less than 1 percent Native American.

The Delaware economy is bolstered by several sectors, the strongest being government, chemical and pharmaceutical, banking, automotive manufacturing and farming. Some of the largest employing entities are the State of Delaware, University of Delaware, Dover Air Force Base, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Syngenta, Bank of America, General Motors and Mountaire Farms. Real per capita income in the first quarter of 2006 was $33,300, slightly higher than the U.S. average of $31,400.
      Delaware home values reached a record high during 2005. The market has cooled off a bit since then, but the state’s appreciation rate in the first three months of 2006 was still higher than the national average. By county, Delaware’s median home prices in the last quarter of 2005 ranged from $237,000 in Sussex County to $189,500 in Kent County.
      Options for higher education include public and private universities and community and technical colleges. The two state systems are Delaware State University and University of Delaware. Delaware State, established in 1891, caters to a diverse population of about 3,400 undergraduate and graduate students. University of Delaware has about 19,000 students, 3,000 of which are enrolled in graduate programs. The university has a main campus in Newark and satellite locations in Wilmington, Dover, Lewes and Georgetown. Private institutions in Delaware include Goldey-Beacom College, Widener University and Wesley College.
      Delaware also enjoys an award-winning public transportation system. In 2003, the American Public Transportation Association named Delaware’s DART First State the “Most Outstanding Public Transportation System.” The system includes bus, rail and ferry service, plus subsidized transportation for the elderly and disabled. The main highways in Delaware are Interstate 95, U.S. Highways 9, 13, 40, 113, 202, U.S. Route 301 and Delaware Route 1.