Communities

New Castle County was born out of the Swedish settlement of Fort Christina (named for Swedish Queen Christina) in 1638. The area was later named New Castle by proprietor William Penn. The county is noted for its rise from coastal plain to piedmont plateau which allows for gently rolling hills moving from the coast inland. The population holds steady at just over 500,000 residents with some suburban areas growing faster than the county average.

The county has a low cost of living average based on historically low property tax rates and the fact that Delaware is the home of tax free shopping with the state having no state sales tax. Major employers include DuPont, Astra Zeneca, University of Delaware, Amtrak, Bank of America and Chase. A variety of shopping options exist with the Concord Mall, Christiana Mall, Newark’s Main Street, Fairfax Shopping Center and a plethora of options lining Kirkwood Highway.

The county boasts a temperate climate with winter temperatures averaging 33’ F and summer temperatures balancing out at 76’ F. Both the county and state, in addition to local municipalities, offer a wide range of recreational activities in parks and athletic centers. The county is home to world class museums Nemours Mansion and Gardens, Wintherthur Museum and Country Estate and Hagley Museum and Gardens. Civil War history at Fort Delaware is just a quick boat trip out of Delaware City. The Brandywine Zoo, Delaware Museum of Natural History, and the historic sites in Old New Castle are open for all ages to enjoy. New Castle County has a lot to offer residents--both new and established.

Please see our Community Guide for more information!

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