Interesting Facts About Delaware

Delaware's attractiveness as a corporate haven is largely because of its business-friendly corporation law. There’s more to Delaware than corporations, however. In fact, Thomas Jefferson called Delaware, a “jewel” among the states, thus giving it one of its nicknames, “The Diamond State.”

Did you know:

• Delaware is the second smallest state, with a land area of 1,948 sq. miles. (Rhode Island is the smallest.)
• Delaware is the least populated state in America.
• With an average altitude of 60 ft. above sea level, Delaware is the lowest state. Ninety-five miles long and between nine and thirty-five miles wide, Delaware’s highest point, is near the Pennsylvania line, and only 442 ft. above sea level.
• 67.8% of Fortune 500 companies are Delaware entities.
• There are more corporate entities formed in Delaware than residents.  
• Over 89% of all companies that held an IPO in 2019 were Delaware corporations.
• Delaware has a unique Court called the Court of Chancery. The court is a preeminent business court in the United States, the judgments of which shape Delaware law, particularly in business entity and fiduciary matters, and are relied upon by other states as authoritative.
• Neighboring states know Delaware as the “Home of Tax Free Shopping,” and it is one of only five states without sales tax. Other states without sales tax are Alaska, Oregon, Montana and New Hampshire.
• Delaware’s official state name is “The First State.” The first of the thirteen original colonies to ratify the Constitution in 1787, Delaware is given the first position in congressional votes and national events, such as Presidential Inaugurations.
• With only three counties, Delaware has the fewest number of any state.
• Delaware’s state bird is the Blue Hen, and it is sometimes called the “Blue Hen State.”
• For over a century, the state’s economic and industrial development was closely tied to the DuPont family, founders of one of the world’s largest chemical companies and the parent company of General Motors Corporation from 1933 until the 1950s.
• Delaware is home to Dover International Speedway, also known as the “Monster Mile,” which hosts two NASCAR races each year. 
• Tourism is a major industry. Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach has been nicknamed “The Nation’s Summer Capital” due to the number of people from Washington D.C. who come to enjoy the Atlantic’s sandy shore as a vacation destination.
• Delaware remained in the Union during the Civil War. Governor William Burton is quoted as saying that “his state was the first to join the Union by ratifying the constitution, and would be the last to leave it.”

Next: Delaware Company Formations - Infographic