Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Income Data

U.S. Census Bureau ACS

+27% vs. Pennsylvania average

$88,576

Median Household Income

$48,676

Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income

$88,576

+27% vs. state avg

Per Capita Income

$48,676

+23% vs. national

Income-to-Housing Ratio

29.3%

income as % of home value

Rank in Pennsylvania

#4 / 67

by median household income

Economic Indicators

Unemployment Rate

N/A

Labor Force Participation

N/A

How Delaware County Compares

Delaware County$88,576

Pennsylvania Average$69,614

National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$88,576

Median Household Income

$48,676

Per Capita Income

$302,400

Median Home Value

29.3%

Income-to-Housing Ratio

Income Advisory: Delaware County

Income Verdict

Delaware County has a median household income of $88,576 and per capita income of $48,676 — a gap of $39,900, suggesting a typical mix of dual-income and single-earner households.

Housing Affordability

With median gross rent at $1,315/month and a median household income of $88,576, rent consumes approximately 17.8% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.

Economic Context

A median household income of $88,576 suggests moderate-to-strong purchasing power, generally sufficient to cover essentials with room for discretionary spending in most markets. Per capita income of $48,676 reflects a relatively affluent population with substantial individual earning capacity.

Neighbor Context

Delaware County earns approximately 27.2% above the Pennsylvania state median household income of $69,614, positioning it favorably within the state.

Data Story

About Household Income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Delaware commands premium above U.S. average

Delaware County's median household income of $88,576 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $13,821, a 18.5% premium. This ranks Delaware among the wealthiest counties nationally and reflects a robust suburban economy anchored by Philadelphia's metro region. The strong performance underscores why the Philadelphia suburbs consistently outpace national benchmarks.

Pennsylvania's wealthiest county in sample

Delaware County leads all eight counties with a median household income of $88,576, surpassing Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $18,962. Per capita income of $48,676 also ranks highest statewide and exceeds the state average by nearly $11,000. Delaware's economic dominance reflects professional services concentration and Philadelphia metro access.

Clear winner in regional earnings

Delaware's $88,576 median household income exceeds every other county in this sample, leading Cumberland ($85,634) by nearly $3,000 and Dauphin ($74,159) by over $14,000. The gap widens dramatically compared to western rural counties, reflecting the fundamental economic divide between Philadelphia suburbs and rural Pennsylvania. Geographic location drives earning power.

High incomes required for expensive housing

Delaware's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $302,400 mean housing consumes substantial wealth despite high incomes. Residents spend roughly $1,323 monthly on rent, and home purchases require substantial down payments relative to national median prices. Wealth accumulation depends heavily on building equity through homeownership.

Leverage premium incomes for aggressive investing

Delaware residents should aggressively fund retirement accounts, 529 college savings plans, and taxable brokerage accounts after housing costs. The high income base supports substantial contributions to diversified portfolios that can generate meaningful wealth within 15–20 years. Consider working with a financial planner to optimize tax efficiency across multiple investment vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania?

The median household income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania is $88,576, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.

How much do people earn in Delaware County?

The per capita income in Delaware County is $48,676, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $88,576.

How does Delaware County compare to the Pennsylvania average?

Delaware County's median household income of $88,576 is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of $69,614. The per capita income is $48,676, compared to the state average of $37,407.

What is the per capita income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania?

The per capita income in Delaware County, Pennsylvania is $48,676, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.

Why is Delaware County income higher than the Pennsylvania average?

Delaware County's median household income of $88,576 is higher than the Pennsylvania average of $69,614. This difference of $18,962 can be attributed to factors such as local industry mix, proximity to major employment centers, educational attainment levels, and cost of living. Counties with higher incomes often have a greater concentration of professional and technical occupations.

How does Delaware County rank for income in Pennsylvania?

Delaware County ranks #4 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $88,576 and per capita income of $48,676, it falls in the top third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

See how your household income compares in Delaware County

Your Household Income

1.00x

Your income is above the Delaware County median

County median: $88,576 per year

vs. County Median

+0%

vs. State Average

+27%

vs. National Median

+18%

vs. Delaware County MedianAbout equal

vs. Pennsylvania Average▲ 27% above

vs. National Median▲ 18% above

Income Adequacy

Monthly income covers median rent5.6x

Your monthly income ($7,381) vs. median rent ($1,315/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.

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