Demographics Statehood: December 7, 1787, the 1st state Capital: Dover Total Area: 49th among states, 6,452 sq km (2,491 sq mi) Water Area: 1,145 sq km (442 sq mi) Highest Point: Ebright Road, 2 New Castle County, 137 m (448 ft) Total Population: 45th among states

2010 census - 897,934 Population Density in 2010: 460.8 people per sq mi Distribution in 2000: 80.1% Urban, 19.9% Rural Economy:

Gross State Product - $62.7 billion (2010)

Personal income per Capita - $39,817 (2009) Largest cities in 2010:

Wilmington: 70,851

Dover: 36,047

Newark: 31,454 Delaware has relatively lenient corporate tax laws, attracting many businesses to incorporate in the state even though virtually all their activities are carried out elsewhere.



Among Delaware's many historic churches is Old Swedes Church and Hendrickson House Museum, in Wilmington, which has been in use since its completion in 1698.



Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, a French immigrant, built the state's first gunpowder mill on Brandywine Creek near Wilmington in 1802. The Du Pont Company would eventually become the largest chemical company in the United States.

Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States constitution. It did so on December 7, 1787.

The sheaf of wheat, ear of corn, and the ox on the state seal symbolize the farming activities of early Delaware.

Delaware was named for Lord de la Warr. He was the first governor of Virginia.

The Du Pont Laboratories first produced nylon at its plant in Seaford. This earned the town the distinction of being the Nylon Capital of the World.

Hagley Museum was originally the du Pont black powder manufactory, estate, and gardens.

John Dickinson was a signer of the United States Constitution, but he didn’t sign his own name. Dickinson had to leave the meeting, so George Read signed for him.

The United States flag was reportedly first flown in the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in Delaware on Sept. 3, 1777.

Delaware’s northern border is curved. It is called the Twelve-Mile Circle. All points along that part of the border are exactly 12 miles from the Old Court House in New Castle. They were marked in 1682. When a line connected the marks, part of a circle resulted.