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Living in
Hockessin.
The Census tops out at $3,500+ for rent; it doesn't publish exact figures above that.
Hockessin is an unincorporated community in New Castle County, DE. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Hockessin
Living in Hockessin means settling into a prosperous, family-oriented suburb that prioritizes stability over flash—this is the kind of place where neighbors know each other, median household income sits at nearly $173,000, and the unemployment rate hovers around 4.7%, reflecting a solid job market primarily supported by the region's broader northern Delaware economy. The trade-off is cost: median home values hover around $570,000, and rent runs about $3,501 monthly, so you're paying for that affluence and the quality schools (Red Clay Consolidated School District feeds into well-regarded high schools like Thomas McKean and Alexis I. duPont). The community skews older and married—median age is 49.5, with nearly 70% of households being married couples—which shapes the local culture toward family events like Fourth of July parades down Old Lancaster Pike and neighborhood athletic competitions, rather than a vibrant nightlife scene.
Hockessin at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
46.3 yrs
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Foreign-Born
10.2%
Broadband Internet
95.7%
of households
Population Growth
+3.4%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics10.2% foreign-born, most often from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan
Who lives in Hockessin: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Hockessin, the largest foreign-born group is from China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (45.4%), and 5.0% of residents speak Chinese at home.
Under 18
23.4%
of residents
65 and Older
26.5%
of residents
Households with Kids
34.0%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
18.9%
of households
Married Couples
67.9%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.72
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 150% above DE average
Rent, home values, and income in Hockessin
In Hockessin, rent runs 150% above the DE average, and home values are 62% above the DE average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
41.6%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
22.8%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
102.6
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$4,425
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
90.4%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1981
median year built
Home Value Trend
Latest: $609,235 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for DE
Unemployment in Hockessin
Unemployment in New Castle County, which includes Hockessin, is close to the DE average.
Unemployment rate
Hockessin: New Castle County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
New Castle County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Hockessin is about 2% of New Castle County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Hockessin Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute23.2 min avg
How Hockessin residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Hockessin, most residents drive alone to work (69%), and 77% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 9 mi
Wilmington Airport (ILG)
Regional airport · few flights169k passengers boarded in 2025
- 25 mi
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Major hub14.8M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 56% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in the area policed by the New Castle County Police Department, which covers Hockessin, runs 56% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
146.5
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
604.3
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
Policed by New Castle County Police Department (county-wide rate)
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 23 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively High
95.3 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
New Castle County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In New Castle County, which includes Hockessin, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 23 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | Winter Weather | $93,000 |
| 2024 | 29 | Thunderstorm Wind | $50,000 |
| 2023 | 23 | Thunderstorm Wind | $30,000 |
| 2022 | 18 | Winter Weather | None reported |
| 2021 | 19 | Thunderstorm Wind | $3.6M |
| 2020 | 24 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2019 | 25 | Thunderstorm Wind | None reported |
| 2018 | 13 | Flash Flood | None reported |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
1 earthquake of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
New Castle County, county-wide
Hockessin is about 2% of New Castle County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality44 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in New Castle County, which includes Hockessin, is typically good — 235 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
44
Good Days
235
per year
Moderate Days
126
per year
Unhealthy Days
1
per year
New Castle County, county-wide
Hockessin is about 2% of New Castle County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate82°F summers, 25°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Hockessin has warm summers (avg high 82°F) and cold winters (avg low 25°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
61°/40°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
82°/62°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
64°/44°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
41°/25°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
46.4"
Annual Snowfall
12.0"
Hot Days/Year
8
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
109
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
133
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 23°F | 3.62" |
| Feb | 41°F | 24°F | 3.12" |
| Mar | 50°F | 31°F | 4.40" |
| Apr | 62°F | 40°F | 3.79" |
| May | 71°F | 50°F | 3.58" |
| Jun | 80°F | 59°F | 4.43" |
| Jul | 84°F | 64°F | 4.17" |
| Aug | 82°F | 62°F | 4.28" |
| Sep | 75°F | 55°F | 4.47" |
| Oct | 64°F | 44°F | 4.03" |
| Nov | 53°F | 34°F | 3.22" |
| Dec | 43°F | 28°F | 4.03" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Hockessin
Uninsured
3.2%
of residents
No hospitals inside Hockessin's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Wilmington VA Medical Center
Acute Care - Veterans Administration · ER available · 5.9 mi away · Wilmington
Rockford Center
Psychiatric · ER available · 6.7 mi away · Newark
Christiana Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 6.8 mi away · Newark
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education16.2:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Hockessin
Hockessin's student/teacher ratio is 16.2:1, close to the national average of 16:1, and 66.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
1
within city limits
Private Schools
1
within city limits
College Degree Rate
66.3%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Hockessin (within 15 miles)
Public · 4-year · 19,071 students · in-state tuition $17,660 · 79% graduate · median earnings $83,800 (10 yrs after entry)
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
12.6 mi awayPublic · 4-year · 14,164 students · in-state tuition $11,464 · 73% graduate · median earnings $66,629 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 691 students · in-state tuition $17,160 · 67% graduate · median earnings $56,160 (10 yrs after entry)
Private for-profit · 4-year · 161 students · in-state tuition $13,920 · 15% graduate · median earnings $44,016 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: First State National Historical Park, 8 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Hockessin
Hockessin has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being First State National Historical Park (8 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
8 mi awayValley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
25 mi awayHopewell Furnace National Historic Site
National Historic Site
29 mi awayEdgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
National Historic Site
31 mi awayGloria Dei Church National Historic Site
National Historic Site
31 mi awayIndependence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
31 mi awayThaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
31 mi awayWashington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
National Historic Trail
49 mi awayPublic Libraries in Hockessin
Hockessin Public Library
1023 Valley Road, Hockessin
Cities Near Hockessin
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Hockessin?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Hockessin FAQ
Is Hockessin, Delaware affordable?⌄
Hockessin's median rent is $3,500+/month, which is significantly above the national average. The median household income is $171,204/year. Median home value is $568,800.
Is Hockessin, Delaware safe?⌄
Hockessin is policed by the New Castle County Police Department, whose violent crime rate across its service area was 147 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 604 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Hockessin, Delaware?⌄
New Castle County, which includes Hockessin, has an unemployment rate of 4.7%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Hockessin, Delaware?⌄
The cost of living in Hockessin is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $3,500+/month and median household income is $171,204/year. The median home value is $568,800. About 42% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Hockessin, Delaware?⌄
The average commute in Hockessin is 23 minutes, which is about average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from