Wilmington, DE town hall & government
Wilmington spent $342.7 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $4,789 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Wilmington's government.
Who runs Wilmington
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Wilmington's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Other taxes & licenses 25%
- Fees & charges 23%
- Utility sales 19%
- Property taxes 16%
- From the state 5%
- Interest, fines & other 5%
- From other local governments 4%
- Income taxes 3%
- Sales taxes 1%
Wilmington didn't report all of its 2024 figures to the Census Bureau, so most of these numbers are the Bureau's estimates.
Who works for Wilmington
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Colonial School District
Wilmington's K–12 school district, shared with Delaware City and New Castle. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Delaware districts overall: 32% local, 57% state, 11% federal
- Local 32%
- State 55%
- Federal 13%
Of the $23,840 per pupil, $13,252 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Wilmington: Red Clay Consolidated School District ($23,294 per pupil) · Christina School District ($34,491 per pupil) · Brandywine School District ($22,839 per pupil).
Which schools Wilmington kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Wilmington pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Wilmington's government
Who represents Wilmington
Wilmington is represented in Congress by Senators Christopher A. Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and Representative Sarah McBride. Matt Meyer is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.