Being considered middle class has gotten more expensive over the years, including Delaware households.

A recent report from GOBankingRates found the median range for middle class income across the country is between $52,000 and $98,500 in 2024, depending on what state you live in.

While the current national minimum would have declared you middle class in Delaware 10 years ago, it no longer meets the minimum income to be middle class in the First State. It has gone up 32% higher in that time.

Delaware’s annual median household income of $79,325 is higher than the national median of $75,149, according to the Census Bureau. And so is the range for middle class consideration.

What is middle class in Delaware?

The middle class is a socioeconomic group that falls between the working class and the upper class. They are likely to have enough disposable income to afford eating out and vacationing, but also rely on loans for their homes, cars and student loans, according to Investopia.

According to GOBankingRates, Delaware’s middle-class income in 2022 (the most recent year available from Census data) was between $52,883 and $158,650 — a 32% change from 10 years prior; in 2012, it fell between $40,079 and $120,238.

So, someone working for minimum wage — $13.25 in Delaware — would need to work 40 hours a week, plus an additional 24 hours per week at overtime rate to just crack the middle-class range of $52,883 annually. A family of two people working for minimum wage would need to work 40 hours each, with one person working an additional 3.8 hours of overtime per week for the household to reach that same middle-class threshold.

Delaware’s median household income is $79,325 according to the Census Bureau.

• Median household income: $79,325
• Lowest end of middle class income: $52,883
• Highest end of middle class income: $158,650

Delaware’s median income and middle class range still faired better than it’s neighbors, Maryland and New Jersey, which ranked with the two highest income requirements for middle class status.

Highest median household incomes in the U.S.

1. Maryland income range: $65,641 to $196,922
2. New Jersey income range: $64,751 to $194,252
3. Massachusetts income range: $64,337 to $193,010
4. Hawaii income range: $63,209 to $189,628
5. California income range: $61,270 to $183,810
6. New Hampshire income range: $60,563 to $181,690
7. Washington income range: $60,217 to $180,650
8. Connecticut income range: $60,142 to $180,426
9. Colorado income range: $58,399 to $175,196
10. Virginia income range: $58,166 to $174,498

Delaware is under a statewide ban on burning as of Monday afternoon.

It’s been a dry October in the First State according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.

“No rain, things are browning up naturally because of the fall, but yet we still have not received any substantial rainfall,” he said on Wednesday. “I just was looking at the Philadelphia market and we have not received any rainfall in the Northern Delaware area in October.”

Chionchio says that most types of outdoor fires are prohibited under the ban.

“Bonfires, controlled burnings such as burning yard waste, agricultural burns, fires to clear land, any kind of demolition or to remove hazards, and outdoor rubbish fires,” Chionchio said.

Campfires used for cooking are still allowed, as is the use of grills and hibachis, but Chionchio asks Delawareans to avoid those uses whenever possible.

Chionchio asks Delawareans to be careful – and patient.

“There’ll be plenty of time to burn as soon as we get the rain.” he said. “I guarantee it’s going to rain again.”

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is also calling on residents to take steps to conserve water during this dry time in the state.

Suggested water conservation measures include fixing leaky pipes, making sure pipes are insulated so they don’t freeze, and making sure your furnace is in good working order.

AccuWeather released its winter forecast for 2024-25, and its looking like another mild season for Delaware.

The meteorology company is predicting the winter to be bookended by unsettled weather, but the heart of winter could remain mild.

Last winter was the warmest on record, and this one will be similar.

“It may not be a harsh winter for us for the most part, we’re still watching the end game,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.

How cold will it be this winter in Delaware?

Pastelok said much of the season could see above average temperatures. While the season may not be as mild as last winter, cold temperatures could struggle to take hold on a consistent basis and will be outdone by milder temperatures.

Colder temperatures are more likely in December and unsettled weather could take place in February, Pastelok said, but there is uncertainty on the timing of that pattern coming in late winter or early spring.

He said warm water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico will not allow cold air to truly take hold for longer periods of time.

“You can look at sea surface temperature anomalies in the Atlantic and the Gulf,” he said. “If they’re running above normal, it gets really hard to get a lot of cold presses.”

Will it snow, and how much?

AccuWeather thinks it will snow in Philadelphia, but it will be below the seasonal average. They are predicting 15-20 inches overall in the city.

Pasterlok said the snowfall amounts in Delaware could be in the low-to-middle teens, with lower amounts along the coast.

Last year, Philly saw 11.2 inches of snow, which is nearly a foot below average. The best chances for snow are in February. Unsettled, potentially colder weather could bring some more flakes than usual to Pennsylvania in December, but they cold struggle to reach Delaware.

Nor’easters, coastal storms producing wintry weather, could be few and far-between this winter. Delaware could find itself on the warm side of most winter storms.

“A lot of our storms are going to be cutting up through the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes, and that leaves us on the warm side of things,” Pasterlok said.

Being on the warm end of these storms could result in some ice in the Philadelphia metro.