What an Acre of Land Is Worth in Delaware in 2026

Delaware may be small, but its land market isn’t. With a strategic location between major East Coast metros and a limited supply of buildable acreage, per-acre values can shift dramatically from one zip code to the next—especially when you factor in zoning, utilities, development pressure, and preservation activity that permanently removes land from future development.

Delaware land in 2025: why “one acre” can mean very different prices

Delaware still relies heavily on working farmland, and the scale of production helps explain why agricultural acres remain both economically useful and increasingly protected. In 2025, farmers planted corn on 175,000 acres, soybeans on 160,000 acres, wheat on 55,000 acres, barley on 20,000 acres, and hay on 11,000 acres, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

At the same time, preservation programs continue to reduce the amount of land that can ever be developed—tightening supply in the long run. In 2025 alone, 36 properties totaling more than 2,800 acres were preserved at a cost of $14.9 million, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Over the last three decades, more than 160,000 acres have been preserved since the program began, as reported by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

Preservation also reflects today’s pricing reality: farmland values are rising, and easement appraisals have increased to at least double what was paid five to 10 years ago, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture. For buyers and sellers, that trend matters because it reinforces a simple idea: location and land-use rights drive per-acre value as much as acreage itself.

1) Statewide Delaware land value trends (what benchmarks can and can’t tell you)

Because large vacant tracts don’t trade every day, the cleanest “per-acre” benchmarks usually come from recent listings and recent comparable sales for similar parcel types (vacant residential lots, development land, recreational tracts, and working farmland). A 2022 industry analysis pegged median asking sale prices for Delaware vacant residential building land at about $104,000 per acre. In practice, development-ready parcels in high-demand suburban corridors can sell well above that, while rural recreational land often trades far lower—commonly in the $5,000 to $15,000 per-acre range depending on access, timber value, and permitted uses.

Use statewide averages as orientation, not a final answer. Appraisers and experienced land agents still rely on micro-markets—school districts, road frontage, zoning maps, and utility proximity—to define what one acre is actually worth.

2) Regional differences: how Delaware county location changes per-acre pricing

Delaware land values separate quickly as you move between the state’s northern job centers, central growth corridors, and the tourism-driven coast. Demand concentrates where infrastructure, commuting patterns, and development potential overlap, as highlighted in local market commentary like demand across concentrated zones.

New Castle County

New Castle County commands many of the state’s highest per-acre prices because it sits closest to the Philadelphia metro and includes Wilmington’s major employment base. Smaller, buildable parcels with strong zoning and utility access can trade at substantial premiums, and high-end residential or commercial sites can push into the $300,000-per-acre range (and higher) depending on entitlement status and scarcity.

Kent County

Kent County often balances price and practicality. Dover’s role as the state capital, plus steady commuter spillover, supports ongoing demand for suburban expansion. Improved vacant residential parcels commonly fall in the mid-to-upper five figures per acre and can rise into the $200,000-per-acre range when zoning, access, and utilities line up.

Sussex County

Sussex County contains the biggest gap between inland and coastal pricing. Resort demand near beach towns and water access drives some of the state’s steepest per-acre values, with premium buildable sites exceeding $500,000 per acre in the most sought-after locations. Meanwhile, inland acreage can remain far more attainable, though still influenced by growth radiating outward from coastal corridors.

3) What actually drives the value of one acre in Delaware

Two acres side-by-side can appraise very differently because land value is really a bundle of characteristics: access, buildability, legal use, and future upside. These factors tend to move the number most:

• Road and highway frontage: Direct paved access lowers future development costs and improves marketability. Landlocked parcels or those dependent on long easements usually sell at a discount.
• Utilities and infrastructure proximity: Nearby electric, public water, sewer, and natural gas can materially increase per-acre value by reducing the cost and complexity of building.
• Zoning, entitlement, and restrictions: Commercial, mixed-use, and higher-density residential zoning typically commands a premium over agricultural or limited-use tracts. Deed restrictions, wetlands, and setback rules can cap what an owner can do—and cap price accordingly.
• Site improvements: Clearing, driveway installation, existing wells or septic approvals, fencing, drainage work, and outbuildings can add measurable value by shortening the time to use the property.
• Community appeal and growth path: Parcels near desirable town centers, strong schools, and expanding infrastructure often price higher because buyers expect long-term demand and resale strength.

How preservation rules can influence farmland pricing and availability

Preservation can raise the stakes for buyers looking for developable acreage and can also stabilize farmland by keeping it in agricultural use. Delaware’s preservation eligibility standards show how the state defines “working” and “high-quality” farm ground: to qualify, working farmland must generate at least $1,000 in agricultural sales annually, according to the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation. In addition, farms must reach a minimum Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) score of 170, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

For investors, these details matter because they help explain why certain high-quality tracts remain scarce on the open market—and why farmland value trends can ripple into nearby rural residential and transitional land pricing.

4) Budgeting beyond price per acre: what Delaware land buyers should plan for

Purchase price is only the first line item. If you want a realistic return model, build a total-cost view that includes:

• Transaction and due diligence costs: Attorney fees, title work and title insurance, surveys, environmental reviews, percolation tests, timber cruises, and inspections can add up—especially on larger or higher-value deals.
• Improvements and annual upkeep: Driveway grading, mowing/brush clearing, drainage work, fencing, signage, gates, and insurance can turn “cheap land” into an expensive hold if you don’t plan ahead.
• Property taxes and assessments: Counties levy annual taxes even on unimproved land, and reassessments can change carrying costs over time.
• Opportunity cost: Capital tied up in vacant land can’t be used elsewhere. Compare land’s projected appreciation and utility against other options such as rentals, businesses, or securities.

When to work with local land specialists

Delaware’s land market can look straightforward on paper, but values often hinge on details that don’t show up in a simple price-per-acre search: frontage quality, soil and drainage, utility distance, wetlands delineation, zoning interpretation, and what similar parcels actually sold for (not just what they were listed for). If you’re buying or selling—and especially if you’re evaluating rural or transitional acreage—local specialists can help you validate comps, spot hidden constraints, and price the land to match real demand.

If you’re comparing options for buyers or sellers, prioritize recent closed sales, confirm zoning and buildability early, and treat “average per-acre values” as a starting point—not the finish line.

Final thoughts

One acre of land in Delaware can be worth anywhere from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands (or more) depending on county, location, zoning, utilities, and development potential. In 2025, rising farmland values and expanding preservation activity underscore the long-term impact of scarcity—especially as more acres move into permanent protection and fewer development-ready parcels remain available.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for a rural homesite or an investor targeting future growth corridors, you’ll make better decisions by grounding your estimate in recent comparable sales, verifying legal use, and budgeting for total ownership costs—not just the sticker price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I estimate the value of my Delaware land?

Start with recent comparable sales of similar parcels (zoning, utilities, access, acreage, and location). Then confirm constraints like wetlands, easements, and buildability. A land-focused agent or appraiser can refine the valuation with local comp data and entitlement context.

Will land prices continue rising across Delaware?

No one can guarantee future pricing, but Delaware’s combination of limited supply, ongoing development demand in key corridors, and long-term farmland preservation can support sustained value in well-located parcels—especially those near infrastructure and employment centers.

Which Delaware counties tend to have the cheapest land per acre?

Inland areas of Kent and Sussex counties often offer lower per-acre pricing than coastal and northern suburban markets. Access, utilities, and permitted use still determine whether a “cheap” acre stays cheap after development or improvement costs.

Can I finance a vacant land purchase in Delaware?

Yes, but vacant land financing often requires higher down payments and shorter terms than traditional mortgages. Many buyers also explore seller financing or land loans through banks and credit unions with local underwriting experience.

What taxes apply when selling Delaware land?

Tax outcomes depend on how long you held the property, how you used it, and your overall tax situation. Capital gains taxes may apply at the federal level, and transfer taxes may apply depending on transaction structure. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your sale.