Delaware's Six Cities: Small State, Clear Urban Hierarchy

Delaware — 2nd smallest state (1,982 sq mi) — has exactly six incorporated cities. No towns, no villages, no townships. Just cities and unincorporated areas.

The Six (by Population, 2020 Census)

1. Wilmington: 70,898 — Corporate capital (credit cards, banking), riverfront revival, Amtrak hub.
2. Dover: 39,403 — State capital, Air Force base, NASCAR, historic Green.
3. Newark: 30,601 — University of Delaware (24K students), biotech corridor, Main St charm.
4. Middletown: 23,192 — Fastest growing (DC commuters), Scottish Festival, Amazon fulfillment.
5. Smyrna: 12,883 — Historic Duck Creek, near Bombay Hook Refuge.
6. Milford: 11,190 — Split Kent/Sussex counties, Riverwalk, shipbuilding history.

Note: Original list had "Milford" twice and omitted Middletown/Smyrna. Corrected above.

Governance Note

All six operate under Mayor-Council charters. No county government (Delaware has 3 counties but they're judicial/administrative only). Municipalities provide police, planning, utilities.

Why So Few?

Delaware's 1950s "municipal home rule" law made incorporation difficult. Most development stays unincorporated (county land use). Result: sharp city/county divide — and six clear urban anchors.