Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Delaware
Delaware for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
Delaware ranks #30 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 24/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 2.7% public land, access to wilderness requires more effort β but state and local parks fill some of the gap.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Delaware's environment score of 34/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity β air quality (AQI: 41) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 99) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (50/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (45/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # | City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Overall | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middletown | A | 48.3 | 63.3 | 24 | 34 | 80 | 24,071 |
| 2 | Newark | B | 47.2 | 55.8 | 24 | 34 | 77 | 30,309 |
| 3 | North Star | A | 45.6 | 60.2 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 8,178 |
| 4 | Hockessin | A | 44.6 | 62.3 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 13,608 |
| 5 | Millsboro | B | 44.4 | 54.1 | 24 | 34 | 67 | 7,152 |
| 6 | Pike Creek | B+ | 43.9 | 57.3 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 7,185 |
| 7 | Pike Creek Valley | B | 43.4 | 53.0 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 11,992 |
| 8 | Elsmere | C | 42.8 | 48.0 | 24 | 34 | 70 | 6,189 |
| 9 | Glasgow | C+ | 42.2 | 52.9 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 16,095 |
| 10 | Claymont | C+ | 42.1 | 49.7 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 9,543 |
| 11 | Wilmington Manor | C | 41.2 | 48.3 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 8,030 |
| 12 | Edgemoor | C | 41.2 | 48.3 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 6,671 |
| 13 | Brookside | C | 40.8 | 47.3 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 15,262 |
| 14 | Bear | C+ | 40.6 | 52.4 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 22,604 |
| 15 | Smyrna | C | 39.7 | 47.2 | 24 | 34 | 65 | 13,031 |
| 16 | Milford | C | 38.5 | 46.7 | 24 | 34 | 26 | 12,193 |
| 17 | Georgetown | D | 36.4 | 43.7 | 24 | 34 | 29 | 7,456 |
| 18 | Wilmington | D | 35.2 | 43.5 | 24 | 34 | 17 | 71,672 |
| 19 | Seaford | D | 34.2 | 41.0 | 24 | 34 | 13 | 8,255 |
| 20 | Dover | D | 31.2 | 40.3 | 24 | 34 | 2 | 39,491 |