Best Cities for Families in Delaware
Delaware ranks #37 of 50 for families, with a families score of 56.9. Middletown is its best city for families at 67.8.
- Delaware, all states
- #37 of 50
- Population
- 24,661
What Families Should Know About Delaware
Delaware ranks #37 out of 50 for families, placing it in the lower third of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in fiscal health (67/100) — but Delaware's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and environment.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Delaware faces challenges on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 87.8%, roughly in line with national norms. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 45/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care runs $17,252 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Delaware sits near the 50-state average for violent crime at 346.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 99.8, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Middletown | A | 67.8 | 64.5 | 71 | 85 | 60 | 24,661 |
| 2Elsmere | C | 64.2 | 50.6 | — | 91 | 71 | 6,203 |
| 3Hockessin | A+ | 61.9 | 72.1 | — | — | 36 | 13,439 |
| 4Newark | C+ | 61.2 | 55.6 | 66 | 75 | 60 | 30,330 |
| 5North Star | A+ | 61.1 | 72.3 | — | — | 51 | 7,834 |
| 6Pike Creek | A+ | 59.6 | 68.8 | — | — | 51 | 7,129 |
| 7Millsboro | C+ | 59.6 | 55.7 | — | 65 | 69 | 7,424 |
| 8Pike Creek Valley | B+ | 58.9 | 60.8 | — | — | 61 | 12,431 |
| 9Smyrna | D | 58.7 | 47.6 | 63 | 58 | 68 | 13,165 |
| 10Glasgow | B | 56.4 | 58.5 | — | — | 56 | 15,546 |
| 11Claymont | C+ | 56.3 | 53.3 | — | — | 69 | 8,786 |
| 12Brookside | C | 55.7 | 49.9 | — | — | 67 | 15,115 |
| 13Seaford | D | 55.4 | 46.2 | 58 | 37 | 78 | 8,485 |
| 14Wilmington Manor | C+ | 55.3 | 52.9 | — | — | 72 | 8,214 |
| 15Milford | C | 55.3 | 51.9 | 58 | 59 | 72 | 12,803 |
| 16Bear | C+ | 55.2 | 54.1 | — | — | 62 | 22,370 |
| 17Edgemoor | D | 54.6 | 46.9 | — | — | 67 | 6,349 |
| 18Wilmington | D | 52.3 | 46.9 | 74 | 23 | 72 | 71,727 |
| 19Dover | D | 51.2 | 44.9 | 74 | 11 | 72 | 39,837 |
| 20Georgetown | D | 48.9 | 42.8 | 61 | 29 | 70 | 7,660 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Delaware for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delaware a good state for families?
Delaware ranks #37 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 56.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (65/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
What is the best city for families in Delaware?
Middletown ranks #1 in Delaware for families with a score of 67.8/100, followed by Elsmere and Hockessin.
What factors are most important for families in Delaware?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.