Out of 97 ZIP codes with data in Delaware, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Delaware Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 97 |
| Highest value | 59/100 |
| Median value | 25/100 |
| State | Delaware |
Top 97 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19804 | Wilmington | DE | 51/100 | 68/100 |
| 2 | 19802 | Wilmington | DE | 46/100 | 73/100 |
| 3 | 19801 | Wilmington | DE | 45/100 | 73/100 |
| 4 | 19806 | Wilmington | DE | 45/100 | 78/100 |
| 5 | 19808 | Wilmington | DE | 43/100 | 73/100 |
| 6 | 19944 | Fenwick Island | DE | 43/100 | 79/100 |
| 7 | 19731 | Port Penn | DE | 42/100 | 83/100 |
| 8 | 19732 | Rockland | DE | 42/100 | 55/100 |
| 9 | 19713 | Newark | DE | 41/100 | 71/100 |
| 10 | 19805 | Wilmington | DE | 40/100 | 73/100 |
| 11 | 19809 | Wilmington | DE | 36/100 | 78/100 |
| 12 | 19706 | Delaware City | DE | 35/100 | 78/100 |
| 13 | 19733 | Saint Georges | DE | 35/100 | 53/100 |
| 14 | 19807 | Wilmington | DE | 34/100 | 90/100 |
| 15 | 19810 | Wilmington | DE | 34/100 | 73/100 |
| 16 | 19901 | Dover | DE | 34/100 | 80/100 |
| 17 | 19936 | Cheswold | DE | 33/100 | 94/100 |
| 18 | 19930 | Bethany Beach | DE | 32/100 | 75/100 |
| 19 | 19707 | Hockessin | DE | 31/100 | 72/100 |
| 20 | 19720 | New Castle | DE | 31/100 | 73/100 |
| 21 | 19803 | Wilmington | DE | 31/100 | 73/100 |
| 22 | 19960 | Lincoln | DE | 31/100 | 91/100 |
| 23 | 19904 | Dover | DE | 30/100 | 85/100 |
| 24 | 19950 | Greenwood | DE | 30/100 | 89/100 |
| 25 | 19975 | Selbyville | DE | 30/100 | 79/100 |
| 26 | 19711 | Newark | DE | 29/100 | 71/100 |
| 27 | 19730 | Odessa | DE | 29/100 | 83/100 |
| 28 | 19973 | Seaford | DE | 29/100 | 84/100 |
| 29 | 19939 | Dagsboro | DE | 28/100 | 83/100 |
| 30 | 19946 | Frederica | DE | 28/100 | 85/100 |
| 31 | 19971 | Rehoboth Bch | DE | 28/100 | 55/100 |
| 32 | 19980 | Woodside | DE | 28/100 | 66/100 |
| 33 | 19702 | Newark | DE | 27/100 | 71/100 |
| 34 | 19703 | Claymont | DE | 27/100 | 55/100 |
| 35 | 19931 | Bethel | DE | 27/100 | 73/100 |
| 36 | 19956 | Laurel | DE | 27/100 | 89/100 |
| 37 | 19963 | Milford | DE | 27/100 | 85/100 |
| 38 | 19979 | Viola | DE | 27/100 | 97/100 |
| 39 | 19952 | Harrington | DE | 26/100 | 93/100 |
| 40 | 19958 | Lewes | DE | 26/100 | 55/100 |
| 41 | 19947 | Georgetown | DE | 25/100 | 93/100 |
| 42 | 19968 | Milton | DE | 25/100 | 80/100 |
| 43 | 19970 | Ocean View | DE | 25/100 | 84/100 |
| 44 | 19941 | Ellendale | DE | 24/100 | 94/100 |
| 45 | 19977 | Smyrna | DE | 24/100 | 87/100 |
| 46 | 19951 | Harbeson | DE | 23/100 | 87/100 |
| 47 | 19954 | Houston | DE | 23/100 | 66/100 |
| 48 | 19955 | Kenton | DE | 23/100 | 98/100 |
| 49 | 19966 | Millsboro | DE | 23/100 | 80/100 |
| 50 | 19943 | Felton | DE | 22/100 | 91/100 |
| 51 | 19717 | Newark | DE | 20/100 | 81/100 |
| 52 | 19734 | Townsend | DE | 20/100 | 83/100 |
| 53 | 19934 | Camden Wyoming | DE | 20/100 | 73/100 |
| 54 | 19953 | Hartly | DE | 20/100 | 95/100 |
| 55 | 19967 | Millville | DE | 20/100 | 94/100 |
| 56 | 19940 | Delmar | DE | 19/100 | 95/100 |
| 57 | 19701 | Bear | DE | 18/100 | 70/100 |
| 58 | 19933 | Bridgeville | DE | 18/100 | 95/100 |
| 59 | 19962 | Magnolia | DE | 18/100 | 94/100 |
| 60 | 19709 | Middletown | DE | 16/100 | 73/100 |
| 61 | 19938 | Clayton | DE | 16/100 | 87/100 |
| 62 | 19964 | Marydel | DE | 15/100 | 95/100 |
| 63 | 19945 | Frankford | DE | 12/100 | 90/100 |
| 64 | 19902 | Dover Afb | DE | 9/100 | 99/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
Explore More Rankings
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