Historically, being east (yes, east) of the Mason-Dixon Line has given Delaware a unique mix of northern and southern heritage, down-home and urban roots. With the great dividing line of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and the more urban areas to the north, and the ‘slower, lower’ areas of Delaware to the south, there are some unique types of people you’ll meet on your travels around the state.
- The beach bum
TC Davis / Flickr Whether a college kid who parties in Dewey in the summer, a family with a second home along the coast, or just someone who spends every spare moment soaking in the sun in the sand, Delaware’s nearly 30 miles of ocean coast has plenty for everyone. They give dirty looks to those who go out of state to enjoy the surf.
- The farmer or farm family
U.S. Department of Agriculture / Flickr Agriculture runs deep in Delaware, and farm families are dedicated to producing food for the residents of the state and beyond.
- The Blue Hen
Frank Piorko Blue Hens, fans of the University of Delaware, bleed blue and gold. They are probably alumni, and if not then they’re probably married to one. If they’re both grads, we call them Double Dels. See them tailgating before every UD home game.
- The volunteer first responder
Clayton Fire Company / Facebook Delaware owes much of its first response in emergencies to volunteers, whether that’s a volunteer fire fighter or local ambulance team.
- The politician
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr In a small state you get to know your elected officials pretty well. They ride or walk in parades. They are at special events. And you probably see them out and about just going about their daily lives.
- The outdoorsman (or woman)
Guy Huntley / Flickr Duck, goose, deer, rabbit–these are just some of the more popular hunting options in the state. And, if these folks go hunting, it’s not just for sport. It’s for cooking their take into tasty dishes.
- The DuPont
dfbphotos / flickr Whether an actual DuPont, someone who works for DuPont or someone who attends upscale events at Winterthur like Point-to-Point, these folks are often considered Delaware’s social elite.
- The member of the military
U.S. Air Force / Flickr With Delaware’s Dover Air Force Base, National Guard, and military reserve units up and down the state, you’ll see these heroes all over.
- The country boys and girls
Beau / Flickr Whether these folks actually live in the country is irrelevant. They’re usually spotted decked out in camo, driving lifted trucks with big tires.
- The waterman (or woman)
Michael Lusk / Flickr Those delicious Delaware blue crabs, oysters, and fish don’t just crawl up onto your plate. The waterman or woman has a yard full of crab pots, garage full of fishing poles, and a boat.
11 .The nature nut
TCDavis / Flickr They know all the best places to hike in the state parks, the best place to go bird watching, and the best place to go kayaking….all in the state.
- The craft beer enthusiast
Berndt Rostad / Flickr Because Delaware is home to craft beer icon Dogfish Head Beer, many in the state try their own hand at brewing beer. And even more are simply beer drinkers who enthusiastically support local breweries.
- The transplant
Mike Mariano / Flickr Delaware’s low cost of living sees plenty of folks transplant here from neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Some of them still commute north to work. Delaware has even recently become one of the top places in the country for all those reasons too!
- The lifer
K. O’Connell He or she was born here. Went to school here. Never moved away and will probably die here.
And, it should probably go without saying that some of these Delaware personalities you’ll find blended together in one individual. What type of Delawarean do you most identify with? I’m a lifer for sure, with some others thrown in too.
TC Davis / Flickr
Whether a college kid who parties in Dewey in the summer, a family with a second home along the coast, or just someone who spends every spare moment soaking in the sun in the sand, Delaware’s nearly 30 miles of ocean coast has plenty for everyone. They give dirty looks to those who go out of state to enjoy the surf.
U.S. Department of Agriculture / Flickr
Agriculture runs deep in Delaware, and farm families are dedicated to producing food for the residents of the state and beyond.
Frank Piorko
Blue Hens, fans of the University of Delaware, bleed blue and gold. They are probably alumni, and if not then they’re probably married to one. If they’re both grads, we call them Double Dels. See them tailgating before every UD home game.
Clayton Fire Company / Facebook
Delaware owes much of its first response in emergencies to volunteers, whether that’s a volunteer fire fighter or local ambulance team.
Mike Mahaffie / Flickr
In a small state you get to know your elected officials pretty well. They ride or walk in parades. They are at special events. And you probably see them out and about just going about their daily lives.
Guy Huntley / Flickr
Duck, goose, deer, rabbit–these are just some of the more popular hunting options in the state. And, if these folks go hunting, it’s not just for sport. It’s for cooking their take into tasty dishes.
dfbphotos / flickr
Whether an actual DuPont, someone who works for DuPont or someone who attends upscale events at Winterthur like Point-to-Point, these folks are often considered Delaware’s social elite.
U.S. Air Force / Flickr
With Delaware’s Dover Air Force Base, National Guard, and military reserve units up and down the state, you’ll see these heroes all over.
Beau / Flickr
Whether these folks actually live in the country is irrelevant. They’re usually spotted decked out in camo, driving lifted trucks with big tires.
Michael Lusk / Flickr
Those delicious Delaware blue crabs, oysters, and fish don’t just crawl up onto your plate. The waterman or woman has a yard full of crab pots, garage full of fishing poles, and a boat.
TCDavis / Flickr
They know all the best places to hike in the state parks, the best place to go bird watching, and the best place to go kayaking….all in the state.
Berndt Rostad / Flickr
Because Delaware is home to craft beer icon Dogfish Head Beer, many in the state try their own hand at brewing beer. And even more are simply beer drinkers who enthusiastically support local breweries.
Mike Mariano / Flickr
Delaware’s low cost of living sees plenty of folks transplant here from neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Some of them still commute north to work. Delaware has even recently become one of the top places in the country for all those reasons too!
K. O’Connell
He or she was born here. Went to school here. Never moved away and will probably die here.
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