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These Are The 10 Stressed Places In Delaware

By Chris Kolmar
Apr. 13, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 11, 2026

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Discover the 10 Most Stressed Places in Delaware (2026 Update)

Feeling overwhelmed when starting a new job is a common experience, but some locations in Delaware have additional stressors that can elevate anxiety levels beyond the first-day jitters.

Factors such as extended commute times, increasing work hours, and competitive job markets contribute to the stress residents face. So, which areas in Delaware rank as the most stressed?

According to recent analyses, Claymont has earned the title of the most stressed location in Delaware. Here are the top 10 places where stress is particularly prevalent:

  1. Claymont
  2. Elsmere
  3. Wilmington Manor
  4. Wilmington
  5. Edgemoor
  6. Bear
  7. Harrington
  8. Smyrna
  9. Glasgow
  10. Woodside East

Read on to explore why these Delaware communities could benefit from stress relief strategies.

For additional insights about employment in Delaware, check out:

How We Assessed Stress Levels in Delaware

To measure stress, we identified six key criteria that reflect common stressors for residents. We analyzed the 37 locations in Delaware with populations over 2,000, based on the most recent available data:

  1. Percentage of the population with a long commute (over 30 minutes)
  2. Unemployment rate
  3. Average hours worked per week
  4. Population density
  5. Percentage of income spent on housing
  6. Percentage of the population without health insurance

A higher score in any of these categories indicates higher stress levels among residents.

Our data is derived from the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey, with the most recent figures available.

Each location was ranked from 1 to 37, with 1 representing the highest stress levels across the six criteria. These rankings were then averaged to create a composite Stress Score, with the lowest score indicating the most stressed location in the state.

Below, we delve into the standout stress statistics for each of the top 10 most stressed places, followed by a comprehensive ranking of all 37 locations analyzed.

1. Claymont

Population: 9,242 High Rent Residents: 49.7%
Long Commute Residents: 39.1%
Uninsured Residents: 9.3%

2. Elsmere

Population: 6,149 High Rent Residents: 58.7%
Long Commute Residents: 24.0%
Uninsured Residents: 17.5%

3. Wilmington Manor

Population: 8,049 High Rent Residents: 67.1%
Long Commute Residents: 25.3%
Uninsured Residents: 16.0%

4. Wilmington

Population: 71,263 High Rent Residents: 51.3%
Long Commute Residents: 23.7%
Uninsured Residents: 10.9%

5. Edgemoor

Population: 6,089 High Rent Residents: 48.0%
Long Commute Residents: 40.7%
Uninsured Residents: 10.8%

6. Bear

Population: 19,732 High Rent Residents: 44.1%
Long Commute Residents: 39.4%
Uninsured Residents: 13.2%

7. Harrington

Population: 3,643 High Rent Residents: 50.5%
Long Commute Residents: 46.1%
Uninsured Residents: 6.1%

8. Smyrna

Population: 10,681 High Rent Residents: 45.5%
Long Commute Residents: 49.9%
Uninsured Residents: 8.9%

9. Glasgow

Population: 14,962 High Rent Residents: 52.0%
Long Commute Residents: 45.6%
Uninsured Residents: 8.2%

10. Woodside East

Population: 2,140 High Rent Residents: 88.6%
Long Commute Residents: 37.6%
Uninsured Residents: 8.4%

Comprehensive List of Stressed Places in Delaware

City Rank Population High Rent Residents Long Commute Residents Uninsured Residents
Claymont 1 9,242 49.7% 39.1% 9.3%
Elsmere 2 6,149 58.7% 24.0% 17.5%
Wilmington Manor 3 8,049 67.1% 25.3% 16.0%
Wilmington 4 71,263 51.3% 23.7% 10.9%
Edgemoor 5 6,089 48.0% 40.7% 10.8%
Bear 6 19,732 44.1% 39.4% 13.2%
Harrington 7 3,643 50.5% 46.1% 6.1%
Smyrna 8 10,681 45.5% 49.9% 8.9%
Glasgow 9 14,962 52.0% 45.6% 8.2%
Woodside East 10 2,140 88.6% 37.6% 8.4%
Rising Sun-Lebanon 11 3,597 61.8% 25.9% 11.8%
Laurel 12 3,842 41.4% 41.0% 10.8%
Dover Base Housing 13 3,390 56.1% 8.1% 0.4%
Selbyville 14 2,535 60.2% 34.5% 19.9%
Georg 15 6,650 36.0% 39.2% 31.8%
Clayton 16 2,989 20.0% 52.6% 7.2%
Milton 17 2,656 46.6% 34.4% 10.7%
Middl 18 19,469 45.6% 56.7% 5.1%
Milford 19 9,882 42.2% 34.6% 10.5%
New Castle 20 5,346 46.2% 26.3% 10.3%
Brookside 21 13,585 41.8% 24.7% 8.9%
Highland Acres 22 3,962 57.0% 18.9% 9.7%
Seaford 23 7,163 60.5% 36.1% 6.8%
Long Neck 24 2,119 57.9% 36.4% 6.7%
Townsend 25 2,556 34.8% 64.5% 5.0%
Dover 26 36,826 52.7% 20.1% 6.3%
Pike Creek Valley 27 10,509 43.5% 27.6% 7.7%
Newark 28 32,278 57.4% 26.0% 6.2%
Millsboro 29 3,987 43.8% 33.8% 9.7%
Camden 30 3,504 34.3% 17.7% 10.2%
Riverview 31 2,761 0.0% 38.5% 4.0%
Pike Creek 32 8,142 15.3% 32.5% 2.5%
Bridgeville 33 2,359 22.6% 30.4% 9.0%
Greenville 34 2,286 47.9% 14.0% 5.4%
Hockessin 35 13,620 34.4% 32.1% 3.8%
North Star 36 7,655 0.0% 31.2% 1.5%
Lewes 37 2,840 30.0% 26.3% 3.3%

In conclusion, understanding the stress factors in these locations can help employers and community leaders implement strategies to alleviate stress in the workplace and improve the overall quality of life for residents. By addressing long commutes, job accessibility, and affordable housing, Delaware can foster a healthier work environment for all.

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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