Hunt & Live

Kent County, DE

186,946 residents · 586 sq mi · 319.0/sq mi · 27% rural

Climate
56°F
45.2" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.7
Hardiness
Zone 8b
Winter low ~16.1°F

About Kent County

Kent County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of the 2020 census, the population was 181,851, making it the least populous county in Delaware, but the most populous county in the United States to be the least populous in its state. The county seat is Dover, the state capital of Delaware. It is named for Kent, an English county.

24
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #2823 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a mix of rural charm and suburban convenience, with a population density of 319.0 people per square mile. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 56.0°F, with a USDA growing zone of 8b, allowing for a relatively long growing season. The region receives about 45.2 inches of rainfall per year, which supports diverse agriculture and gardening efforts. However, the humid climate may also present challenges such as pests and diseases in crops.

Kent County faces several natural hazards, with cold waves (ranked 94) and winter weather (ranked 93) being the most significant risks. Hurricanes (ranked 91) and heat waves (ranked 88) also pose potential threats, while droughts are less of a concern (ranked 85). The county's violence percentile is at 29, indicating a relatively safer environment, but the overall disaster percentile of 85 suggests a higher frequency of adverse weather events. The median home price of $272,300 may be a barrier for some who wish to settle here.

This county could be a good fit for those who appreciate a blend of rural and suburban lifestyles and are prepared for the risks associated with its climate. Gardeners and small-scale farmers may thrive here due to the favorable growing conditions. However, individuals seeking a remote or completely self-sufficient lifestyle may find the population density and natural hazards limiting. A potential dealbreaker for homesteaders could be the vulnerability to severe weather, while the county's broadband access (72% subscription rate) is a hidden gem for those needing connectivity.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #2,550 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#2 in DE
Top 5 counties in Delaware out of 3.
Dominant hazard: cold wave
FEMA ranks cold wave risk at 94/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 319/sqmi
Densely populated at 319 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 56.0°F annual mean and 45.2" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $272,300.

Score Breakdown

Violence
55
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
85
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
87
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
84.5
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Coastal Flood 70
Cold Wave 94
Drought 85
Earthquake 81
Hail 46
Hurricane 91
Heat Wave 88
Riverine Flood 83
Ice Storm 68
Landslide 30
Lightning 73
Strong Wind 60
Tornado 69
Wildfire 65
Winter Weather 93

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
87.2°F
Winter low
26.1°F
Heating degree days
4,399
Cooling degree days
1,153

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$272,300
Median HH income
$69,278
Price to income
3.9×
Property tax rate
0.47%
~$1,291/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
38.5
Homeownership
70.4%
Poverty rate
12.3%
Unemployment
5.8%

Connectivity

Broadband households
71.7%
No internet access
9.2%

Explore Kent County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.