2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Delaware — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

97 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 19736 (Yorklyn, DE) - 63/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

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 63/100
Median value 28/100
State Delaware

Top 97 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 19736 Yorklyn DE 63/100 55/100
2 19804 Wilmington DE 55/100 68/100
3 19802 Wilmington DE 49/100 73/100
4 19710 Montchanin DE 48/100 75/100
5 19801 Wilmington DE 48/100 73/100
6 19806 Wilmington DE 48/100 78/100
7 19944 Fenwick Island DE 47/100 79/100
8 19808 Wilmington DE 46/100 73/100
9 19713 Newark DE 45/100 71/100
10 19731 Port Penn DE 45/100 83/100
11 19732 Rockland DE 45/100 55/100
12 19805 Wilmington DE 43/100 73/100
13 19733 Saint Georges DE 39/100 53/100
14 19809 Wilmington DE 39/100 78/100
15 19706 Delaware City DE 38/100 78/100
16 19807 Wilmington DE 38/100 90/100
17 19810 Wilmington DE 37/100 73/100
18 19901 Dover DE 37/100 80/100
19 19930 Bethany Beach DE 36/100 75/100
20 19936 Cheswold DE 36/100 94/100
21 19803 Wilmington DE 35/100 73/100
22 19707 Hockessin DE 34/100 72/100
23 19720 New Castle DE 34/100 73/100
24 19903 Dover DE 34/100 93/100
25 19905 Dover DE 34/100 93/100
26 19906 Dover DE 34/100 93/100
27 19960 Lincoln DE 34/100 91/100
28 19975 Selbyville DE 34/100 79/100
29 19904 Dover DE 33/100 85/100
30 19950 Greenwood DE 33/100 89/100
31 19973 Seaford DE 33/100 84/100
32 19711 Newark DE 32/100 71/100
33 19730 Odessa DE 32/100 83/100
34 19961 Little Creek DE 32/100 94/100
35 19971 Rehoboth Bch DE 32/100 55/100
36 19939 Dagsboro DE 31/100 83/100
37 19946 Frederica DE 31/100 85/100
38 19956 Laurel DE 31/100 89/100
39 19963 Milford DE 31/100 85/100
40 19980 Woodside DE 31/100 66/100
41 19702 Newark DE 30/100 71/100
42 19703 Claymont DE 30/100 55/100
43 19931 Bethel DE 30/100 73/100
44 19958 Lewes DE 30/100 55/100
45 19979 Viola DE 30/100 97/100
46 19947 Georgetown DE 29/100 93/100
47 19952 Harrington DE 29/100 93/100
48 19970 Ocean View DE 29/100 84/100
49 19968 Milton DE 28/100 80/100
50 19850 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
51 19880 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
52 19884 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
53 19885 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
54 19886 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
55 19887 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
56 19890 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
57 19891 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
58 19892 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
59 19893 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
60 19894 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
61 19895 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
62 19896 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
63 19897 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
64 19898 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
65 19899 Wilmington DE 27/100 83/100
66 19941 Ellendale DE 27/100 94/100
67 19955 Kenton DE 27/100 98/100
68 19966 Millsboro DE 27/100 80/100
69 19977 Smyrna DE 27/100 87/100
70 19943 Felton DE 26/100 91/100
71 19951 Harbeson DE 26/100 87/100
72 19954 Houston DE 26/100 66/100
73 19712 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
74 19714 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
75 19715 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
76 19716 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
77 19717 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
78 19718 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
79 19725 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
80 19726 Newark DE 25/100 81/100
81 19934 Camden Wyoming DE 24/100 73/100
82 19967 Millville DE 24/100 94/100
83 19734 Townsend DE 23/100 83/100
84 19940 Delmar DE 23/100 95/100
85 19953 Hartly DE 23/100 95/100
86 19735 Winterthur DE 22/100 60/100
87 19701 Bear DE 21/100 70/100
88 19933 Bridgeville DE 21/100 95/100
89 19962 Magnolia DE 21/100 94/100
90 19708 Kirkwood DE 20/100 53/100
91 19709 Middletown DE 20/100 73/100
92 19721 New Castle DE 20/100 83/100
93 19938 Clayton DE 19/100 87/100
94 19964 Marydel DE 18/100 95/100
95 19969 Nassau DE 18/100 88/100
96 19945 Frankford DE 16/100 90/100
97 19902 Dover Afb DE 14/100 99/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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: 2026-07-19.

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

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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