Delaware Information and Facts

Official Website: http://delaware.gov/

Income

The population of Delaware in 2002 was 805,945. Its rank was 45th in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Delaware had a per capita personal income of $32,090. This per capita personal income ranked 15th in the United States and was 104 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 1.9 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Delaware was $22,670 and ranked 9th in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 3.5 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Delaware had a total personal income of $25,862,407. This total personal income ranked 45th in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Delaware was $15,753,972 and ranked 45th in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 3.2 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 5.1 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Delaware. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 68.2 percent of total personal income (compared with 68.9 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 17.7 percent (compared with 19.6 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 14.0 percent (compared with 11.5 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings increased 2.5 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 1.6 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 9.1 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 5.0 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 4.0 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 7.2 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in Delaware increased from $21,407,523 in 2001 to $21,922,876 in 2002, an increase of 2.4 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $13,292,286 to the 2002 estimate was 5.1 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - Delaware is the second smallest state of the Union, covering only 6208 sq km (2397 sq mi), including 184 sq km (71 sq mi) of inland water and about 600 sq km (371 sq mi) of coastal water over which it has jurisdiction. Only Rhode Island is smaller. Located in the eastern section of the Delmarva Peninsula, between Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay, Delaware is 154 km (96 mi) from north to south and varies from 14 to 56 km (9 to 35 mi) east to west. The state is a low-lying area. With an average elevation of only 18 m (60 ft), it ranks as the lowest state in the nation.

Climate - Delaware has generally hot and humid summers and fairly mild winters. In July, average daytime temperatures are usually in the upper 20°s to lower 30°s C (80°s F) or even higher. But because summer nights tend to be cooler than the days, July averages are about 24° C (about 75° F). In addition, onshore sea breezes can reduce daytime temperatures along the coast by 3° to 6° C (5° to 10° F). January averages range from -1° C (31° F) at Newark, in the north, to 3° C (38° F) at Bridgeville, in Sussex County. Nearly three-fifths of Delaware’s days are classified as sunny. Precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) in Delaware is evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly more in June and July than in any other month. Most of the state receives between 1020 and 1170 mm (40 and 46 in) a year. Severe droughts are uncommon. Thunderstorms occur frequently in summer, and in winter there is generally light snowfall.

State Flag

State Flower - Peach Blossom

State Capitol - Dover
The present constitution of Delaware, which was adopted in 1897, has been amended many times. It is the fourth constitution in the history of the state. The first constitution, adopted in 1776, created "The Delaware State" with a president as chief executive. It was replaced in 1792 by a constitution that established the basic form of the present state government. The third constitution, adopted in 1831, made a number of changes in the judiciary. In each case the constitution was written by a constitutional convention and put into effect without being submitted to a popular vote. In order to become law, a proposed amendment must receive a two- thirds vote of approval from each house of the state legislature in two successive sessions, with an election intervening.

Famous People

Annie Jump Cannon astronomer, Dover
Caesar Rodney patriot, signer of Declaration of Independence, Dover
E. I. du Pont industrialist, Wilmington
Felix Darley artist, Claymont
George Read jurist, signer of Declaration of Independence, New Castle
Henry Heimlich surgeon, inventor, Wilmington
Henry S. Canby editor, author, Seidel
John Phillips author, Wilmington
Robert Montgomery Bird playwright, author, New Castle
Valerie Bertinelli actress, Wilmington
Wilham Julius Johnson basketball player, Wilmington