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Rankings are computed from publicly available federal and state government datasets, supplemented by a handful of published indexes (such as the Tax Foundation, Child Care Aware of America and Zillow Research). Figures are used as each source publishes them, including the FBI's own state crime estimates; nothing is synthetic or modeled by us, and every source is cited below.

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS annual averages·
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  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES·
  • IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS State-to-State Migration Flows·
  • Zillow Research, Home Values, Rents & Market Metrics·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, city police agency reports·
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Home/DE/Best for Small Business
Delaware · best for small business · #21 of 50 states

Best Cities for Small Business in Delaware

Delaware ranks #21 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 59.5. North Star is its best city for small business at 83.4.

See all 50 states for small business →

#1 city in DE for small business
North Star83.4
Small Business score out of 100
Delaware, all states
#21 of 50
Population
7,834
Open North Star →
Tax burden
6.52%
% of income
Fiscal health
67/100
GDP + debt + reserves
Pop. growth
+0.94%
Census estimates
Unemployment
4.8%
BLS LAUS
Economy score
41/100
Income + jobs + growth

Delaware for Small Business: The Full Picture

Delaware ranks #21 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, with a mixed set of conditions for entrepreneurs. The state's fiscal health score of 67/100 signals a well-managed state government with sustainable finances — the kind of stability that benefits long-term business planning.

Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Delaware's overall tax burden is 6.52% of income, with a 7.85% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The absence of a sales tax simplifies retail operations. The economic environment (score: 41/100) with 4.8% unemployment shows healthy labor availability.

Population growth of 0.94% is a tailwind — a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. Workforce quality may require investment in training — the education score of 45/100 suggests gaps in preparation. A typical home value of $406,074 is expensive enough that employee compensation expectations may be higher.

All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business

#  CityGradeSmall Business scoreOverallHousehold financesEconomyGrowthPopulation
1North StarA+83.472.399100—7,834
2HockessinA+83.372.1100100—13,439
3Pike CreekA+79.168.89691—7,129
4MiddletownA64.364.574675024,661
5GlasgowB64.258.57569—15,546
6Pike Creek ValleyB+63.560.87359—12,431
7BearC+57.054.16449—22,370
8MillsboroC+54.255.75938597,424
9MilfordC51.751.934219412,803
10Wilmington ManorC+51.252.95338—8,214
11ClaymontC+50.453.35435—8,786
12BrooksideC47.549.94738—15,115
13DoverD44.444.939324039,837
14NewarkC+44.355.623423330,330
15SmyrnaD42.947.646282913,165
16WilmingtonD42.946.926323871,727
17SeafordD41.846.22917578,485
18GeorgetownD40.242.83113577,660
19EdgemoorD38.846.93421—6,349
20ElsmereC37.950.62729236,203

City small business 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.

Compare: States with Similar Small Business Rankings

  • MaineSmall Business score 63.8#16
  • MinnesotaSmall Business score 63.2#17
  • IndianaSmall Business score 63.0#18
  • FloridaSmall Business score 62.4#19

Also See: Delaware for Other Lifestyles

  • FamiliesFamilies score 56.9#37
  • RetireesRetirees score 62.7#23
  • Remote WorkersRemote Workers score 52.5#24
  • Young ProfessionalsYoung Professionals score 56.2#21
  • Outdoor EnthusiastsOutdoor Enthusiasts score 39.3#30

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delaware a good state for small business?

Delaware ranks #21 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 59.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Fiscal Health (67/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).

What is the best city for small business in Delaware?

North Star ranks #1 in Delaware for small business with a score of 83.4/100, followed by Hockessin and Pike Creek.

What factors are most important for small business in Delaware?

Rankings weighted toward business-friendly tax climate, strong economy, population growth, workforce quality, and transportation infrastructure — what matters when starting or running a small business.