Delaware

Delaware entered the Union on December 7, 1787 as the 1st state. As the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Delaware sits at the front of the national timeline, and its compact size has long tied together local politics, commerce, and regional identity. Today its state government is centered in Dover and operates through a governor and a bicameral General Assembly composed of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Median household income$81,361
Poverty rate10.5%
Median age42.0
GovernorJohn Carney (Democratic)
Next statewide electionNovember 3, 2026

Government & Representation

Use this section to understand how the state organizes executive authority, legislative power, and federal representation.

Delaware organizes state government through an elected governor and a bicameral General Assembly with a Senate and a House of Representatives. Because Delaware is geographically compact, statewide institutions often serve as the main arena for policy coordination and public administration.