Dover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Wilmington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Nickname: First State; Diamond State
Motto: Liberty and independence
Flower: Peach blossom
Bird: Blue hen chicken
Area: 2,489 square miles (2000; U.S. rank: 49th)
Elevation: Ranges from sea level to 440 feet above sea level
Climate: Temperate, with mild winters and hot summers
Admitted to Union: December 7, 1787
Capital: Dover
Head Official: Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) (until 2009)
Population
1980: 594,000
1990: 666,000
2000: 783,600
2003 estimate: 817,491
Percent change, 1990–2000: 17.6%
Percent change, 2000–2003: 4.3%
U.S. rank in 2003: 45th
Percent of residents born in state: 48.3% (2000)
Density: 401.1 people per square mile (in 2000, based on 2000 land area)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 31,803
Racial and Ethnic Characteristics (2000)
White: 584,773
Black or African American: 150,666
American Indian and Alaska Native: 2,731
Asian: 16,259
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 283
Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 37,277
Other: 15,855
Age Characteristics (2000)
Population under 5 years old: 51,531
Population 5 to 19 years old: 166,719
Percent of population 65 years and over: 13%
Median age: 36 years (2000)
Vital Statistics
Total number of births (2003): 12,120
Total number of deaths (2002): 6,860 (infant deaths, 96)
AIDS cases reported through 2003: 3,231
Economy
Major industries: Chemicals, agriculture, food products, paper products, printing and publishing, rubber and plastic products
Unemployment rate: 4.0% (November 2004)
Per capita income: $33,321 (2003; U.S. rank: 12th)
Median household income: $50,451 (3-year average, 2001-2003)
Percentage of persons below poverty level: 7.7% (3-year average, 2001-2003)
Income tax rate: Ranges from 2.2% to 5.95%
Sales tax rate: None