Back To Blog

A FEW VERY INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DELAWARE

One of the most important aspects of Active Adults’ success in serving home buyers and sellers in is our deep knowledge of Delaware. We can easily describe the benefits of living in each of our three counties – New Castle, Kent and Sussex. We’re adept at explaining how our very low property tax rates impact affordability, choice and lifestyle options. And we can save a lot of time for buyers by identifying the neighborhoods that are best suited to their desires and needs, while ensuring sellers put their best face forward when they market their homes.

But we’re not all-business, all-the-time. We also love Delaware because it’s such an interesting place to live and work.  Here are a few reasons why:

We’re small

Delaware is the country’s second smallest state, (Rhode Island is the first), and is only 35 miles wide at its widest point. We also have the smallest number of counties, with just three. Each of those counties is special, with New Castle featuring Wilmington for city lovers . . . Kent, which houses our state capital of Dover and Dover Air Force Base . . . and Sussex, which is home to our fabulous beaches. Our small size makes it easy to identify where you’re going to be happiest when buying your new home, but it also accounts for the neighborly, small-town vibe in many communities.

Historic reminders are everywhere

Delaware is known as The First State because it was the first territory to ratify the U.S. Constitution, which happened on December 7, 1787. With its vast natural resources, including access to ocean, bay and river shipping routes, fertile soil and agriculture-friendly climate, it was also highly contested in its early days as settlers from England, the Netherlands and Sweden grappled over who would settle and control the territory, with ample engagement from William Penn, who founded the province of Pennsylvania when the Brits were most influential.

That history is also intertwined with the financial fortunes of the DuPont family, representing some of the most significant advances in chemicals, industry, and munitions in the world. When you travel around New Castle you’ll experience their legacy in the grand estates that are now historical sites and museums established and sustained by the family’s continued financial support.

Respect for history is also why we have so many beautiful historic homes and buildings, from those throughout Lewes (the First Town in the First State) to those in downtown Dover. Today, many of these places are protected by laws and ordinances, but they’ve been well-loved and well-respected by many past generations that went to great lengths to preserve them.

We have a sustainably robust economy

Business people love Delaware for a lot of reasons. More than 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated here because of laws regarding tax liability, legal protections, and because companies operating outside of the state don’t have to pay state income taxes.

There’s also no sales tax, which means you’ll save lots of money when you buy appliances, furnishings, and other items for your home. You’ll also save big on all kinds of other purchases, from cars to clothing to groceries and dining out. 

And have you looked at property taxes? They’re also astoundingly low, which has a lot to do with so many folks moving here from states where those taxes are much higher. 

We celebrate nature

If you live in or are thinking about moving to Sussex County, it might be because of our wonderful beaches along the ocean and bays. But we also have so many more natural spaces for active enjoyment, including those in our vast network of state parks https://www.destateparks.com/. That’s why you’re never far away from a leisurely or energetic bike ride, walk or jog through forests, marshes, sand dunes or historic sites, and why it’s so easy to drive just a few miles for an outdoorsy day or weekend trip to clear your mind.