By 1808Delaware
Delaware has earned national recognition as one of the Great Lakes region’s growing relocation destinations.
WorldAtlas included the city in its feature, “Where People Are Moving To In The Great Lakes In 2026,” which examines seven communities gaining residents at a time when migration has become increasingly important to population growth across the region.
The publication reported that Delaware has grown 12.9% since 2020, reaching approximately 46,600 residents. Much of that growth reflects movement from the Columbus area. According to WorldAtlas, more than half of Delaware County’s new arrivals came from Franklin County, making Delaware part of the continuing northward expansion of the Columbus metropolitan area.
The article described the trend as a “classic north-side spillover,” with families seeking more space and newer housing while remaining within commuting distance of central Ohio employment.
WorldAtlas also emphasized that Delaware is more than a newly developed suburb.
“What sets Delaware apart from the subdivisions down that corridor is that it was a real town first,” the article stated.
The publication pointed to Delaware’s historic downtown, Ohio Wesleyan University, the Strand Theatre, Perkins Observatory and Delaware State Park as evidence of the established community identity accompanying its growth. A photograph of the historic Delaware County Courthouse appeared with the entry.
Founded in 1994, WorldAtlas publishes material on geography, demography, economics, politics, travel and related subjects.
Its inclusion of Delaware places the city among a small group of Great Lakes communities where migration is helping produce continued growth.
