Demographics & People

About 71,727 people live in Wilmington, in 31,655 households. Population grew 0.8% from 71,124 (2022) to 71,727 (2024). Median age 37.0 years. (2.3y younger than New Castle County; 4.5y younger than Delaware). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 52% Black and 29% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.59). 48% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,395 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 14% smoke.

2.3 people per household (vs Delaware avg 2.5).
52% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Delaware 41%).
57 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Delaware 70).

Population & Trend

Population grew 0.8% from 71,124 (2022) to 71,727 (2024) — about 1.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~72,337 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 73,159.

Census data vintage	2024
County Population	570,719 people
Annual growth rate · Population change	85.0%
Annual growth rate · Population (2022)	71,124
Annual growth rate · Population (2024)	71,727
Annual growth rate · Population growing	Yes
Annual growth rate · Trend category	stable
Population	71,727 people (vs Delaware 13,439)
Population Estimate	73,159

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12

Age Distribution

Median age 37.0y is 1.9 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.

Age Summary · Median age	37.0 years (at Delaware median)
Age Summary · Children Pct	21.0%
Age Summary · Character	family-oriented
Age Summary · Total Pop	71,727
Age Summary · Under 18	15,058
Age Summary · 18 To 34	18,807
Age Summary · 35 To 64	26,779
Age Summary · 65 Plus	11,083
Median age	37.0 years (at Delaware median)

Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29

Race, Ethnicity & Diversity

Of 71,727 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.59 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.

Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson)	59.2%
Diversity Index · Diversity label	moderately diverse
Diversity Index · Groups counted	4
Diversity Index · Largest group share	53.3%
Asian population	1.6% (vs Delaware 2.9%)
Black population	51.6% (vs Delaware 26.7%)
Hispanic or Latino population	11.9% (vs Delaware 10.7%)
White (non-Hispanic) population	29.3% (vs Delaware 51.8%)

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12

Ancestry

Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.

Top (1)

(unnamed)

Black

Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001

Households & Family Composition

31,655 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 48% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 14,656 families, 13% are married couples with children.

Family households	15,028 households (vs Delaware 3,428)
Households that are families	47.5% (vs Delaware 58.6%)
Total households	31,655 households (vs Delaware 5,560)

Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12

Residential Stability & Migration

How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 14.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,395 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).

Migration · People moving in (annual)	500,294
Migration · People moving out (annual)	498,899
Migration · Net migration (in − out)	1,395
Migration · Population growing	Yes

Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12