Delaware’s population falls about 10,000 short of 1 million residents

The 2020 U.S. Census showed Delaware falling about 10,000 short of having a population of one million.

The state’s 10.2 percent population growth outpaced its neighbors in the Mid Atlantic and Northeast and even compared favorably with Arizona.

The District of Columbia did see a Sun Belt-like 14.6 percent population gain that matched Florida’s figure.

Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, only Illinois, Mississippi and West Virginia lost population.

Delaware has been drawing residents, thank tos advantages that include beaches, a central location on the Northeast Corridor,  low property taxes,  low fuel taxes  and no sales tax.

The population gains are believed to have occurred in Sussex and to a lesser extent Kent County.

The First State remains the 45th largest state and as expected did not pick up a second congressional seat. Some estimates indicate that could happen with he 2030 census.

States in the Northeast will lose congressional seats to fast-growing states like Texas and Florida.

See the 2020 Census figures below.