RANK #646 / 996 · POP 182,400 · DE
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Kent County, Delaware, is perhaps best known as home to Dover, the state capital, and Dover Air Force Base, a significant military installation. Located in the central part of Delaware, it offers a blend of rural landscapes with suburban developments. Dover is approximately 90 minutes south of Philadelphia and two hours east of Washington D.C., with major highways like Route 1 and Route 13 providing connections throughout the East Coast. The community offers a quieter lifestyle with ample open space, dotted with quaint villages and farms. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with Killens Pond State Park offering camping, hiking, and fishing, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge providing opportunities for bird-watching. Life in Kent County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between affordability and convenience. The presence of Dover Air Force Base significantly impacts the local economy and labor pool, with approximately 10,000 people employed by the base. Delaware State University, located in Dover, also contributes to the area's educational and economic landscape, recently expanding its physical presence and fostering entrepreneurial growth through initiatives like the Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship (CURE). The county's school districts, including Caesar Rodney and Capital School District, offer various educational programs.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Barratts Landing Mixed-Use Development
Eastern States Development of Wilmington
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Pipeline (Felton Loop)
Eastern Shore Natural Gas
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (4 projects)
Chaberton Energy, Pivot Energy, Tangent Energy Solutions, Hartly Community Energy Initiative LLC, Calpine
|
$25M | Operating/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Kent County has a Boom Town Index score of 35/100, ranking #646 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $69,278, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Kent County is $272,300 with median rent at $1,224/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2544, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed +1.9% in the past 12 months.