#1New Castle
New Castle County · 5,726 peopleHistory grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B− · #17 of 37 in DE
New Castle, #1 on this list · Photo: Ataraxy22 · CC BY-SA 3.0Delaware rankings · History
Most historic towns in Delaware
New Castle ranks first on history among Delaware’s 37 towns of 2,500+; 13 of the 37 grade A− or better on history nationally.
The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. How grades work
#1A+
#2Wilmington
New Castle County · 73,512 peopleHistory grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall D · #32 of 37 in DE
#3Laurel
Sussex County · 4,557 peopleHistory grade, better than 96% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #35 of 37 in DE
All 37 towns
History grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 2 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
37 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
15Greenvilleunincorporated, New Castle County · 3,713 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #6 of 37
16Edgemoorunincorporated, New Castle County · 6,349 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #11 of 37
20Glasgowunincorporated, New Castle County · 15,546 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #20 of 37
21Claymontunincorporated, New Castle County · 8,786 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #3 of 37
23Hockessinunincorporated, New Castle County · 13,439 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #5 of 37
26Pike Creekunincorporated, New Castle County · 7,129 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #4 of 37
27North Starunincorporated, New Castle County · 7,834 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #8 of 37
30Rising Sun-Lebanonunincorporated, Kent County · 4,163 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #13 of 37
31Wilmington Manorunincorporated, New Castle County · 8,214 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #7 of 37
32Pike Creek Valleyunincorporated, New Castle County · 12,431 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #15 of 37
33Brooksideunincorporated, New Castle County · 15,115 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #29 of 37
34Dover Base Housingunincorporated, Kent County · 2,962 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #23 of 37
35Bearunincorporated, New Castle County · 22,370 peopleD−better than 4% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #28 of 37
T36Highland Acresunincorporated, Kent County · 3,752 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall B+ · #12 of 37
T36Riverviewunincorporated, Kent County · 2,596 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #21 of 37
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most historic town in Delaware?
New Castle (New Castle County) ranks first on history among 37 towns, with an A+; Wilmington and Laurel follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a history grade (37 in Delaware). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Delaware page.
Go deeper
All Delaware rankings →More Delaware lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live37 towns · #1 TownsendBest small towns26 towns · #1 TownsendMost affordable towns37 towns · #1 Wilmington ManorSafest towns22 towns · #1 TownsendTowns with the best schools37 towns · #1 Lewes and MiltonHealthiest towns37 towns · #1 North StarBest towns for jobs & income37 towns · #1 Pike CreekMost walkable towns37 towns · #1 WilmingtonTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk37 towns · #1 Wilmington ManorBest towns for the outdoors37 towns · #1 LewesTowns with the most civic life22 towns · #1 LewesTowns with the least snow37 towns · #1 LaurelDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns37 towns · #1 BearDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters34 towns · #1 Ocean ViewDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers34 towns · #1 SeafordDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers34 towns · #1 Ocean ViewDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes37 towns · #1 HockessinDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes36 towns · #1 HarringtonDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns21 towns · #1 MilfordDescribed, no letters
Other states