DELAWARE — Delaware County’s Economic Development team reports the county is the 22nd fastest-growing county in the United States, as of the 2010 census data.

But what are the guiding trends and statistics behind this commonly-said statement — and are factors other than population increasing (or decreasing) for the better?

These questions have answers rooted in data.

The United States Census Bureau recently released its 2024 five-year American Community Survey data, refined by a nonprofit research center, The Center for Community Solutions (CCS).

The CCS identified 10 changes in nearly all of Ohio’s 88 counties. The trends are:

  1. Percent of the population under the age of 18
  2. Percent of the population 60 and older
  3. Median income
  4. Poverty
  5. Full-time employment
  6. Percent of employed residents working from home
  7. Median monthly mortgage costs
  8. Median rent
  9. Percent of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher
  10. Broadband access

How did these trends from 2019 to 2024 affect Delaware, and how do we compare to the counties around us? Here’s a full report.

How many folks are under the age of 18?

Delaware had the most significant decrease of all 88 counties in this metric, dipping by 1.9 percent.

In 2019, Delaware had 26.7 percent of its population under the age of 18.

The 2024 data counted 24.8 percent of the population under 18.

Ohio’s total population also followed this trend, with 23.1 percent under age 18 in 2019 and 22.4 percent in 2024.

This map from CCS identifies where some of Delaware’s neighboring counties stand:

Delaware isn’t getting any younger

While Delaware was not the county with the highest population of folks aged 60 years and older (that was Ottawa County), it did see an increase.

“Ohio is getting older, with the proportion of adults 60 and older in the state climbing from 23.4 percent to 25.0 percent from 2019-2024, a significant increase,” CCS reported.

“All counties in the state showed an increase in the proportion of this older adult population.”

Check out the graph below to see Delaware County’s numbers from this metric stacked up against neighboring areas:

Delaware residents are earning a lot more

Delaware saw the highest increase in median income of all 88 counties between 2019 and 2024.

Delaware County saw a $26,632 increase in the median income. By comparison, Franklin County only saw a $13,871 increase.

“Households in Ohio are receiving significantly more income on average in 2024 ($69,768) than in 2019 ($55,767),” CCS reported.

The next closest county to see a $25,000+ increase was Union County, with $25,607.

Only two counties did not experience significant changes in this metric: Noble County (increased by $9,201) and Meigs County (increased by $1,974).

Poverty in Delaware decreased, a little

“The percentage of Ohioans living in poverty significantly decreased statewide from 14 percent in 2019 to 13.3 percent in 2024,” according to CCS.

However, this trend did not carry over to Delaware — at least not significantly.

Employment rate stayed about the same

Like the poverty rate, Delaware’s employment rate did not see a significant change, according to CCS.

Between 2019 and 2024, Ohio saw an increase from 65.2 to 66.6 percent in the employment rate for folks between the ages of 16 and 64 who worked full-time.

Delaware only saw a 0.2 percent increase — from 69.7 percent to 69.9 percent during the same time frame.

Meanwhile, PPG Industries’ expansion and new buildings coming to Delaware’s industrial park will bring new opportunities and jobs to the area soon.

How many Ohioans are working from home?

“In 2019, only 4.2 percent of workers over the age of 16 worked full-time from home. In 2024, this rate essentially tripled to 13 percent statewide,” CCS reported.

“This metric does not include workers on a hybrid schedule, or who work from home part-time.”

Delaware County led all 88 counties in this metric, but how does our area compare to others?

Median monthly mortgage and rent costs

Housing, and affordable housing, have been top-of-mind for a lot of Delaware residents — and rightfully so.

Delaware led all 88 counties with the highest median monthly mortgage cost.

The metric increased by $378 from $2,115 (2019) to $2,493 (2024).

Neighboring Union County saw the third-highest increase at $360, while Franklin County saw a $311 increase.

Rent costs followed the same trend.

Delaware residents are educated

The percentage of Ohioans 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher has gone up from 28.3 percent (2019) to 31.5 percent (2024), according to CCS.

Delaware increased this metric by 5.1 percent, Franklin by 2.1 percent, Morrow by 5.6 percent and Union by 3.7 percent.

  • Delaware County: 54.3 percent (2019) | 59.4 percent (2024)
  • Franklin County: 40 percent (2019) | 42.1 percent (2024)
  • Morrow County: 13.8 percent (2019) | 19.4 percent (2024)
  • Union County: 35.5 percent (2019) | 39.2 percent (2024)

Faster internet for all

All 88 counties experienced improvements in broadband in homes, rising from 82 percent (2019) to 90.1 percent (2024) across the state.

In 2019, 93.3 percent of Delaware residents had access to broadband internet. This increased to 96 percent by 2024.

Here’s how that stacks up against our neighors:

Delaware's newsman. Ohio University alum. I go fishing and admire trucks when I take my wordsmith hat off. Got a tip? Send me an email at jack@delawaresource.com.