Is Delaware the new retirement destination?

A growing number of retirees are settling down in Delaware, mostly driven by the charm of beaches and low taxes.

With retirement hotspots like Arizona and Florida getting pricier, more retirees are heading east. Delaware’s 65+ population has jumped 23% since 2020, the biggest increase nationwide.

Sussex County is at the center of the boom. The beachfront town saw over 40,000 new residents in the past six years—a 17% overall population surge. Delaware’s financial attractiveness is drawing people, with no state taxes on Social Security benefits or a sales tax. Its property taxes are also among the lowest nationwide.

That’s not all
Finance firm Sussex Wealth Partners notes that homeowners relocating from states like New Jersey often trade annual property tax bills of $18,000 for just $1,500, one of the lowest in the US.

Food businesses in Sussex have expanded 49% from 2020 to 2025, with nearly 100 new restaurant openings, according to government data.

However, the rapid population growth is straining local resources. Medical facilities face massive backlogs, with colonoscopy appointments taking up to nine months and dental visits as long as 18 months.

Local provider Beebe Healthcare increased its doctor staff by 47% over four years.

Who is moving in next?
Officials expect more younger workers to move into the areas to support the aging population. Sussex County residents aged 80 and older are projected to double by 2040.