Delaware
What annual income is considered middle class? Does your income make the cut in Delaware

How does your income compare to others?
Persistent economic headwinds from 2022 continue to financially challenge many American households in 2023.
Money Talks News
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.
- Maryland income range: $65,641 to $196,922
- New Jersey income range: $64,751 to $194,252
- Massachusetts income range: $64,337 to $193,010
- Hawaii income range: $63,209 to $189,628
- California income range: $61,270 to $183,810
- New Hampshire income range: $60,563 to $181,690
- Washington income range: $60,217 to $180,650
- Connecticut income range: $60,142 to $180,426
- Colorado income range: $58,399 to $175,196
- Virginia income range: $58,166 to $174,498

Delaware
Wilmington mother seeks justice 3 years after son’s murder in Philadelphia

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Three years after her son was fatally shot in West Philadelphia, Kameelah Torrance is still searching for answers and justice.
Samyr Walker, 19, was killed on September 4, 2022, while delivering food in his mother’s car. Torrance said Walker’s own vehicle had broken down the night before, prompting him to borrow hers to earn extra money.
“I get a phone call, I’m thinking it’s him,” Torrance recalled.
Philadelphia police said the shooting occurred around 1:45 p.m. at the Chick-A-Boom restaurant drive-thru on 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue. While waiting for his food, Walker reportedly had an interaction with another driver.
“What I’m guessing is maybe he was on his phone and he accidentally tapped the bumper, which is what happened,” Torrance said.
Police said the altercation escalated when gunshots were fired from the suspect’s car as Walker exited his vehicle to retrieve his order. A passenger in Walker’s car also returned fire. Authorities believe the motive was road rage.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, detectives located the vehicle believed to be involved and interviewed both the owner and the reported driver. However, no arrests have been made.
The DA’s office said it has extended victim support services to Walker’s family and the affected community.
Torrance described her son, affectionately called “Meer Meer,” as “a very happy-go-lucky kid.”
“Every time you see him, he was always smiling, silly, liked to have fun, very family oriented,” said Torrance.
She said the lack of closure has made the loss even harder to bear.
“No closure, sleepless nights, it’s just been horrible,” she said. “It’s not fair that my son is gone and you’re walking around free, freely doing whatever. His life was cut short.”
Torrance said she still texts Walker’s phone number and mourns the future he was denied.
“He won’t be able to get married, have children, become something of himself. He was robbed of that and it’s not fair,” she said.
Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing. Torrance and law enforcement are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Delaware
*Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Delaware State Police have identified 14-year-old Reis Yoc-Santos, of Dover, Delaware, as the teenager who died in the fatal crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle that occurred Friday afternoon in Dover.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
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Delaware
14-year-old boy dead, one teen hospitalized after e-bike runs stop sign, collides with bus in Delaware

DOVER, Del. – A tragic crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Dover.
Deadly collision with bus
What we know:
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on West Lebanon Road as a school bus was turning onto Royal Grant Way, according to police. The electric bicycle, ridden by a 16-year-old with a 14-year-old passenger, did not stop at a posted bicycle stop sign and collided with the bus.
The 14-year-old passenger of the e-bike was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 16-year-old operator suffered serious injuries. Neither of the teenagers were wearing a helmet, police said.
The bus was affiliated with the Caesar Rodney School District and driven by a 75-year-old man from Magnolia, who was not injured. Twenty-one students on the bus were unharmed.
The road was closed for about four hours for investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit. The investigation is still ongoing.
Ongoing questions for authorities
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact Master Corporal W. Booth or send a message to the Delaware State Police.
If you have information, reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Victims and witnesses needing support can contact the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit at 1-800-VICTIM-1.
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