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New Castle County

New Castle County is a county in Delaware. It pays for public works, police, health and human services and parks. In 2022, New Castle County spent about $331.6M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.

Collected and spent

In 2022, New Castle County spent about $331.6M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.

Spent
$331.6M
Fiscal year 2022 · Census of Governments estimate, all funds · spending

Where the money comes from

One tax.

Property tax
$0.45 per $100 of value
Source · Delaware Division of Revenue, New Castle County 2024 property tax. Read on June 5, 2026.
DetailsNew Castle County 2024 property tax — county levy modeled at 4.5 mills/$1,000 effective market value (~0.45% effective; assessmentRate=1.0 with mills calibrated to effective-rate basis vs. ~56% actual AV ratio). Verify at New Castle County Assessment

Where it goes

Ten service lines.

Public works
$96.8M
Police
$73.6M
General government
$58.0M
Other
$25.5M
Health and human services
$19.1M
Parks and recreation
$17.9M
Debt service · past obligation
$17.4M
Library
$14.8M
Fire
$4.6M
Courts
$4.1M

Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.

Who decides

The executive sends the council a yearly budget. The council can change it and must pass it by June 1. The council sets the tax rates that pay for it. 13 Council members: 12 by district, 1 for all.

Marcus Henry
County Executive
Next election
November 7, 2028
Monique Williams-Johns
Councilmember, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Brandon Toole
Councilmember, District 1
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Dee Durham
Councilmember, District 2
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Janet Kilpatrick
Councilmember, District 3
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Penrose Hollins
Councilmember, District 4
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Valerie George
Councilmember, District 5
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
David Carter
Councilmember, District 6
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
George Smiley
Councilmember, District 7
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
John Cartier
Councilmember, District 8
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Timothy Sheldon
Councilmember, District 9
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Jea P. Street
Councilmember, District 10
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
David Tackett
Councilmember, District 11
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Kevin Caneco
Councilmember, District 12
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Source · Delaware Code Online, 9 Del. C. §1155(b), adoption of the annual operating budget ordinance. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details9 Del. C. §1155(b), adoption of the annual operating budget ordinance (read 2026-10-10)

When decisions happen

The council adopted the 2027 budget in June 2026. The 2027 year began July 1, 2026. The council must act by June 1.

Each yearThe county budget year starts July 1.
November 7, 2028Election for one seat

How to reach it

County Council: 302-395-8383
Phone
800 N. French St., Eighth Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
Mailing address
Source · New Castle County, New Castle County news: County Executive comments on passage of FY2027 budget. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsNew Castle County news: County Executive comments on passage of FY2027 budget (read 2026-10-10)

Also on this tax bill

A New Castle County address pays these governments too. Which cities and school districts apply depends on the address.

On every bill in New Castle County

On some bills, depending on the address

Cities: 12

WilmingtonCity
MiddletownNot in Who Taxes Me yet
HockessinNot in Who Taxes Me yet
GlasgowNot in Who Taxes Me yet
NewarkCity
North StarNot in Who Taxes Me yet
BearNot in Who Taxes Me yet
BrooksideNot in Who Taxes Me yet
New CastleNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Pike Creek ValleyNot in Who Taxes Me yet
GreenvilleNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Pike CreekNot in Who Taxes Me yet

School districts: 6

Appoquinimink School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Colonial School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Christina School DistrictSchool district
Red Clay Consolidated School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Smyrna School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Brandywine School DistrictSchool district

Sources

Taxes
Delaware Division of Revenue, New Castle County 2024 property tax. Read on June 5, 2026.
DetailsNew Castle County 2024 property tax — county levy modeled at 4.5 mills/$1,000 effective market value (~0.45% effective; assessmentRate=1.0 with mills calibrated to effective-rate basis vs. ~56% actual AV ratio). Verify at New Castle County Assessment
Who decides
Delaware Code Online, 9 Del. C. §1155(b), adoption of the annual operating budget ordinance. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details9 Del. C. §1155(b), adoption of the annual operating budget ordinance (read 2026-10-10)
When decisions happen
New Castle County, New Castle County news: County Executive comments on passage of FY2027 budget. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsNew Castle County news: County Executive comments on passage of FY2027 budget (read 2026-10-10)
How to reach it
New Castle County, New Castle County Council page. Read on October 10, 2026.
DetailsNew Castle County Council page (read 2026-10-10)

To act on what you have read

Who Taxes Me describes. These three tools, made by the same team, are where you can do something about it. Each opens in a new tab.