The Town FilesDelaware, Ohio
City in Delaware County · population 41,302 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $318,400
- Household income
- $99,786
- Jan low / Jul high
- 21° / 85°
- Snow a year
- 23 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 11
- Median age
- 36.9
Delaware is a city of 41,302 people in Delaware County, Ohio. The median home is worth $318,400, above the typical Ohio town ($171,100). It ranks better for young professionals than 94% of Ohio towns, more upscale than 82% of Ohio towns, better for cycling than 79% of Ohio towns.
How Delaware ranks
Percentile among Ohio towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Ohio towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Delaware is worth $318,400, above the typical Ohio town ($171,100). Homes cost about 3.2 times the median household income of $99,786, which is more affordable than 21% of Ohio towns. Median rent is $1,286 a month. 64.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Delaware | Typical Ohio town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $318,400 | $171,100 |
| Median rent | $1,286 | $914 |
| Median household income | $99,786 | $67,019 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.2× | 2.6× |
| Homeownership | 64.7% | 71.7% |
| Median year built | 1995 | 1965 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.4% | — |
Who lives in Delaware
| People | Delaware | Typical Ohio town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.9 | 40.6 |
| Age 65 and over | 14.7% | 19.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 47.8% | 21.3% |
| Below the poverty line | 7.8% | 10.3% |
| Veterans | 5.7% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 6.0% | — |
| Work from home | 19.0% | 8.6% |
| Average commute | 25.6 min | 23.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 94.7% | 90.9% |
Weather in Delaware
July highs average 84.9°F and January lows 20.6°F. About 40.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 23.4 inches of snow (typical Ohio town: 23.8 in). Expect about 18 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 114 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Delaware since 1950, compared with 16 for the typical Ohio town. 4 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on March 14, 2024 about 9.2 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 4 deaths and 57 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on March 14, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 32 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on May 14, 2014.
Severe weather in Delaware County since 1996
Delaware County has been included in 15 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for tornado, hurricane, snowstorm.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2024 | Tornado | DR-4777: Tornadoes |
| March 31, 2020 | Biological | DR-4507: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3457: Covid-19 |
| June 30, 2012 | Severe Storm | EM-3346: Severe Storms |
| October 24, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1805: Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike |
Jobs and pay in Delaware County
Delaware County had 98,182 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $72,243 a year. Unemployment was 2.8% in 2023; in Delaware itself the ACS puts it at 2.6%.
Public schools in Delaware
14 public schools with 10,560 students, about 18.5 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olentangy Berlin High School | 9-12 | 1,740 | 23.8 |
| Rutherford B Hayes High School | 9-12 | 1,652 | 20.1 |
| John C Dempsey Middle School | 6-8 | 1,259 | 16.8 |
| Cheshire Elementary | PK-5 | 833 | 21.9 |
| Olentangy Berlin Middle School | 6-8 | 807 | 19.7 |
| Robert F Schultz Elementary School | K-5 | 774 | 22.1 |
| Buckeye Valley Local High School | 9-12 | 617 | 17.6 |
| Laura Woodward Elementary School | PK-5 | 610 | 19.7 |
| Buckeye Valley Local Middle School | 5-8 | 593 | 17.4 |
| Ervin Carlisle Elementary School | K-5 | 533 | 18.4 |
| James Conger Elementary School | K-5 | 446 | 21.2 |
| David Smith Elementary School | K-5 | 374 | 18.7 |
Towns near Delaware
- Powell, OH8.2 mi · 14,163 people · home $561,500
- Sunbury, OH11.2 mi · 6,614 people · home $374,600
- Dublin, OH12.5 mi · 49,328 people · home $563,500
- Worthington, OH13.4 mi · 14,786 people · home $440,500
- Westerville, OH14.1 mi · 39,190 people · home $374,500
- Marysville, OH15.0 mi · 25,571 people · home $300,800
- Huber Ridge, OH15.8 mi · 4,940 people · home $235,400
- Plain City, OH16.3 mi · 4,065 people · home $368,500
Delaware questions
Is Delaware, Ohio a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Delaware scores better for retirees than 48% of Ohio towns and quieter than 19%. 14.7% of residents are 65 or older (median age 36.9).
How much does a house cost in Delaware?
The median owner-occupied home in Delaware is valued at $318,400 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $99,786, so homes cost about 3.2 times income. Median rent is $1,286 a month.
What is the weather like in Delaware?
July highs average 84.9°F and January lows 20.6°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 40.5 inches of precipitation a year and 23.4 inches of snow.
Does Delaware get tornadoes?
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Delaware since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on March 14, 2024. The typical Ohio town has had 16.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)