Best small towns to live in Delaware

1. 1
   Millsboro, DE Score 71/100

   7,424 people · typical home $333k · household income $79k · 372 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of DE · 3.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Milton, DE Score 65/100

   3,567 people · typical home $407k · household income $81k · 401 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of DE · 6.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Long Neck, DE Score 63/100

   2,161 people · typical home $188k · household income $57k · 531 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of DE · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Greenwood, DE Score 58/100

   1,564 people · typical home $252k · household income $73k · 463 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 56% of DE · 2.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Ocean View, DE Score 57/100

   2,851 people · typical home $514k · household income $92k · 305 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 48% of DE · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Lewes, DE Score 56/100

   3,505 people · typical home $826k · household income $96k · 424 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of DE · 4.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Frankford, DE Score 56/100

   1,215 people · typical home $315k · household income $77k · 499 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 41% of DE · 2.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Selbyville, DE Score 54/100

   3,097 people · typical home $433k · household income $76k · 420 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 36% of DE · 4.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Dagsboro, DE Score 51/100

   1,376 people · typical home $318k · household income $61k · 418 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of DE · 5.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Lincoln, DE Score 51/100

    1,873 people · typical home $262k · household income $108k · 531 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 63% of DE · 3.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Rehoboth Beach, DE Score 46/100

    1,370 people · typical home $1.5M · household income $138k · 474 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of DE · 6.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Blades, DE Score 44/100

    1,071 people · typical home $228k · household income $57k · 641 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 54% of DE · 10.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Milford, DE Score 43/100

    12,803 people · typical home $297k · household income $59k · 466 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 63% of DE · 5.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Millville, DE Score 43/100

    2,430 people · typical home $495k · household income $100k · 531 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 48% of DE · 4.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Seaford, DE Score 42/100

    8,485 people · typical home $224k · household income $54k · 603 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 54% of DE · 13.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Georgetown, DE Score 42/100

    7,660 people · typical home $281k · household income $50k · 673 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of DE · 4.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Bridgeville, DE Score 33/100

    2,745 people · typical home $401k · household income $65k · 472 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 56% of DE · 6.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Laurel, DE Score 25/100

    4,152 people · typical home $230k · household income $49k · 1,143 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 63% of DE · 15.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Delaware with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Delaware on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Delaware districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

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