THREE-COUNTY VIEW · HOUSING NEED
One state. Three county growth patterns.
The statewide housing needs assessment allocates projected additional housing need differently across New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. The figures are a planning baseline—not a list of approved projects.
Assessment horizon: 2023–2030 · County allocation in the 2025 State Planning overview
Projected additional housing need
The county allocation totals 24,349 units. The statewide headline is commonly rounded to approximately 24,400. The difference is rounding, not a separate category of housing.
These estimates help frame the scale and geography of projected demand. They do not establish that all identified units are needed in one location, that any parcel is suitable for development or that a project has received approval.
| County | Estimated units | Share of county subtotal | Interpretation |
|---|
| New Castle | 4,016 | 16.5% | Lowest share of the three-county allocation. |
| Kent | 6,941 | 28.5% | Just over one-quarter of the county subtotal. |
| Sussex | 13,392 | 55.0% | More than half of the county subtotal. |
Important limitations: the percentages above are calculated from the three published county figures (24,349 total). They are shares of this assessment allocation, not shares of existing housing stock, current permits or future construction already committed.
What the county figures do not tell you
A county-level estimate cannot resolve town-level infrastructure capacity, parcel zoning, water and sewer availability, transportation constraints, environmental restrictions or project affordability. Those questions require current comprehensive plans, zoning maps, agency records and project-level review.
How to use the atlas responsibly
- Start with the assessment year and projection horizon.
- Compare the county allocation with population and household projections.
- Review the relevant county and municipal comprehensive plan.
- Check zoning, infrastructure capacity and the project record before drawing conclusions.
Original records
Delaware State Housing Authority — Housing Needs Assessments ↗
State Planning — 2025 statewide overview ↗