This is just the right time of year to visit Delaware if horseshoe crabs are your thing.  They can be viewed in extreme numbers all up and down the shores of the state.  These creatures can go a year without eating and have remained basically the same since the days of the dinosaur. 

Delaware was named after the Delaware Indians, but ironically, the name is not Indian in origin.  The tribe was named after the Delaware River which was named after Sir Thomas West, aka Lord De Le Warr.  Sir Thomas was governor of the Virginia colony.

The state is the second smallest state physically but is 6^th in population density.  It is divided into 3 counties.  The southern two have been historically agricultural.  Current ag outputs consist of poultry, nursery stock, dairy products and corn. The northern county has been more tied to industrial endeavors especially around the DuPont family industries who founded one of the world’s largest chemical companies.  The state is second in number of civilian scientists and engineers as a percentage of the workforce and number of patents issued to companies or individuals per 1,000 workers.  Current industrial outputs consist of paper products, chemical products, rubber and plastic.  The state’s economy generally outperforms the national economy of the U.S.    The largest employers are government, education, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, banking, and farming, especially chicken farming.  Dover Air Force Base is one of the largest Air Force bases in the country.  Further the state garners about one-fifth of its state revenue due to the number of corporations formed there.  Over 50% of US publicly-traded corps.,  and 60% of the Fortune 500 companies are registered there.  Part of the reason is that Delaware has one of the few Courts of Chancery in the nation, which has jurisdiction over equity cases many relating to mergers and acquisitions.  The Court has developed a reputation for concise opinions concerning corporate law which generally grant broad discretion to corporate boards of directors and officers.  In addition, the state law gives great flexibility to corporations to manage their affairs.  Therefore, Delaware is considered to have the most business-friendly legal system in the U.S.

The state is on a level plain.  The highest part of the state is barely 450 feet above sea level.  The northern part of the state is full of rolling hills while the southern part is flat with sandy and sometimes swampy ground.  The climate is very much moderated by the ocean.  The southern portion of the state has a somewhat milder climate and longer growing season than the northern portion.  All parts of the state have relatively hot and humid summers.

The five largest ancestries are African-American (19%), Irish (17%), German (14%), English (12%), and Italian (9%).  Religiously, the state is 20% Methodist, 19% Baptist, 9% Catholic and 4% Lutheran.  Almost 17% of residents claim no religion.

Historically, the Republican Party has had an immense influence on Delaware’s politics, due in large part to the influence of the DuPont family.  However, in more recent years, the Democratic Party has had the plurality of registered voters.  In fact, the Democrats have won the last four gubernatorial elections and hold seven of the 9 statewide elected offices. 

Recreationally, the state is interesting in that it has no places designated as national parks, battlefields, etc.  It also has no in-state professional sports teams.  Those facts, in part, led the state to be playfully mocked in “Wayne’s World” as a state with no vacation destinations.  However, that isn’t true.  Rehoboth Beach bills itself as “The Nation’s Summer Capital” due to the number of return summer vacationers.  The state draws thousands of tourists to its charming, unaffected towns, its artistic appeal and tax-free shopping.  Popular sports include horse racing and NASCAR.

Delaware’s personal income tax system consists of six brackets with a top rate of 5.95% which kicks in at $60,000/yr.  The corporate tax is a flat 8.7%.  The state does not levy a sales or general use tax.  Property taxes are collected at the local level only.

Delaware has many beautiful active adult living communities.  Be sure to check out “Independence” our Featured Delaware Property below.  As always, we welcome your suggestions and comments.

Dee Chandler
Editor

Independence Our Delaware Showcase Community

, Delaware's premier 55+ community, is located on Route 5 in Millsboro – just 15 minutes  from the beach resort towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. The community features single family homes with first-floor owner's suites. Homes are designed and presented by award winning builder Schell Brothers, starting in the $200's.  Community amenities include a 24,000 square foot clubhouse with  indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, saunas, fitness room, billiards/card room, bar/lounge, ballroom, putting green, bocce ball court, volleyball court and more!

For more information visit our web site www.independencede.com or call Lisa Ruppert at (800) 963-1620. (1 of 2)