25 Fun Facts Everyone Should Know About Delaware

When you think of Delaware, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s the second smallest state in the US or that it was the first to join the Union. But these well-known trivia barely scratch the surface of what makes Delaware truly captivating. From its extensive history and rich cultural quirks to peculiar events and natural wonders, here are 25 fun facts about the First State that you probably didn’t know.

Small But Mighty: Delaware’s Geography and Demographics

Just Beachy (Fun Facts 1-3)

• Delaware might be the second smallest state, but its 300 miles of coastline make for an impressive display of sandy beaches.
• The state is also a shopping paradise, with no sales tax luring shoppers from all over the country.
• The least populated state outside of Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North and South Dakota is…yup! It’s Delaware.

Games of Chicken (Fun Facts 4-5)

• Speaking of population, you’re more likely to run into a chicken than a human (around a million by last census), as the state harbors a poultry population of over 300 million. That’s 300 chickens per human person!
• Geography buffs would be interested in the tiny land area known as “The Wedge,” a piece of land disputed for years between Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. A quirk in boundary demarcation led to this 1.068 square miles of terra incognita, finally awarded to Delaware in 1921.

A Time-Travel Through History

Native Pre-Delawareans (Fun Fact 6)

• Delaware’s history is rich and colorful. The area has been inhabited for at least 11,500 years, and it was first explored by the English in 1609.

Pre-IKEA (Fun Fact 7)

• Circa 1637 Delaware was once a Swedish colony named “New Sweden,” and its largest city, Wilmington, was initially named “Fort Christina” in honor of the Swedish queen. The influence can still be felt today with the annual Swedish Festival that celebrates this heritage.

“I Voted” (Fun Fact 8)

• Fast forward to 1776, and Delaware delegate Caesar Rodney rode 80 miles through thunder and rain to cast the tie-breaking vote for American independence. Goes to show that EVERY SINGLE VOTE MATTERS.

More Than Just Politics: Cultural Gems and Attractions

Old-School Stuff (Fun Facts 9-10)

• The University of Delaware is one of the oldest universities in the US, perhaps even in the solar system, founded in 1743.
• And it’s not just famous for academia—the world’s tallest Lego tower, comprising more than 500,000 bricks and standing 11 stories high, calls Delaware home.

Notable Notes (Fun Facts 11-12)

• If you’re musically inclined, you can hum along to “Our Delaware,” the state song since 1925.
• If you enjoy good music, consider that Jamaica’s most famous musician ever, Bob Marley, lived and worked in Delaware. You can visit One Love Park, where happy children play and a nearby mural honors the musical great.

No Average Joe (Fun Fact 13)

• A certain sitting president represented Delaware in the Senate for 36 years. The former senator now goes by “Joe,” or “President Joe.

The Quirky and the Unexplained: Strange Events in Delaware

Just, Wow…(Fun Facts 14-16)

• From raining money in Lewes ($10,000 to be exact) to mark the one-year anniversary of a long-time resident’s death, to
• …capturing a shark within a shark, Delaware seems to have an uncanny knack for bizarre occurrences.
• Oh, yeah, and that emu who had been on the lam for over two months that put schools on lockdown.

More Chicken Stuff (Fun Fact 17)

• The state has also been the backdrop for some downright peculiar incidents, like COVID-related staff shortages that led to the Great Delaware Chicken Massacre in which 2 million chickens perished.

D.I.Y. (Fun Facts 18)

• Delaware was the original home to one of the most bizarre yet captivating events: the World Championship Punkin Chunkin. Teams use a variety of homemade devices, such as trebuchets, catapults, and air cannons, to launch pumpkins as far as they can. This is engineering meets agriculture in a festive celebration of ingenuity.

A Business Haven: Economy and Corporate Landscape

Taxes and Death, or the Lack Thereof (Fun Facts 19-20)

• With more than 1 million businesses—including over half of all publicly traded companies in the US—Delaware is a corporate mecca, mainly because of its business-friendly corporation law. Kinda boring, but true.
• Less boring is that the state has a specialized court just for business disputes, called the Court of Chancery, that dates to 1792.

The Wild Side: Nature and Wildlife in Delaware

Animals, Official and Non-Official (Fun Facts 21-23)

• The state’s lush landscapes are home to a range of animals like grey foxes, American beavers, and white-tailed deer. Birdwatchers can spot bald eagles and peregrine falcons, among others. It’s no surprise that Delaware’s mineral-rich soil has given rise to a thriving agricultural industry, from soybeans and corn to potatoes and peas. Pretty normal stuff.
• Not normal is this: Delaware has an official state macroinvertebrate, the Stonefly.
• Other official state stuff include: a state butterfly, the Tiger Swallowtail, a state fish, the weakfish, a state bug, the ladybug, a state seashell, the Channeled Whelk, a state soil, Greenwich loam, and a state herb, sweet goldenrod.

What’s Up With Delaware and Chickens? (Fun Facts 24)

• And the state bird? Well, despite that state’s complex relationship to chickenkind, it’s the Blue Hen.

Pioneering Education: Learning in Delaware (Fun Fact 25)

• Did you know that the University of Delaware had the country’s first study abroad program? Yes, Delaware isn’t just about business and beaches—it’s also a leader in global education. 1923, between World Wars, France.

From its role in American history to its contributions to science and the arts, Delaware’s bemusing identity makes it a fascinating place to discover. Even if you’re not a chicken, the state really does make you ponder your relationship to the universe. With something for everyone, including macroinvertebrates, whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for some tax-free shopping, Delaware is a small state with a big personality.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Ivan Burchak