Kent County: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Kent County center on a median $74,477 (about the same as Kent County median $74,477; 1.1× below Delaware median $84,954), with homes at a median value of $316,600.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $74,477 — near the Delaware median ($76,912). Poverty rate 12.3% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $88,490 |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $5,759,882 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $65,091 (vs Delaware $89,269) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Median Household Income | $74,477 (vs Delaware $76,912) |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 — county FIPS · Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 5.8% — above the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 71,071 |
|---|---|
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $4,084,038,467 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $57,464 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 469,280 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% (vs Delaware 4.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES)
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 113 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 96,030 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 849.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Crop Totals, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 4,717 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 58,874 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 3,090,595 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 24 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 15 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 47 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 46 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 38 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 11 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 129 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 128 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 6 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 26 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
| Total Snap Stores | 147 |
|---|
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $1,782,741,900 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 9,803.31 (vs Delaware $6,933) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 181,851 people (vs Delaware 13,439) |
Sources: USAspending API