The differences between upstate and downstate Delaware

When it comes to differences between upstate and downstate Delaware, pace always pops up.

All you have to do is look at the popularity of the phrase “Lower Slower Delaware,” used to highlight the more relaxed lifestyle and tempo in the more rural southern part of our state.

A few weeks back, we asked readers for their thoughts about notable differences between The First State’s opposite ends.

We pointed out some of our own:

A clear blue state/red state divide when it comes to politics with a more liberal north and more conservative south.

Also, industry and business dominating the north, while agriculture and the beaches have a greater hold down south.

And there’s a more widespread hunting and fishing culture down south, even though there’s plenty of that to be found north as well.

But there are plenty more differences. As the NFL season begins, it’s on full display even in the sports world with the Philadelphia Eagles ruling the north with the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens enjoying their own stronghold down south.

So what came to mind when our readers considered the upstate/downstate differences in Delaware? Here are their responses:

• When Sussex Countians travel north for a Wilmington meeting, it’s a day trip. When New Castle Countians travel south for a Lewes meeting, it’s an overnight trip!

• Upstate is “sophisticated” and downstate is “folksy”

• The rapid rate of growth due to retirees and overdevelopment

• More polite drivers downstate and more aggressive drivers upstate

• Vibe (lazy beach life vs. weekday grind)

• The accents are different. Southern Delaware sounds like Texas.

• Years ago, if you saw a picture of all the state’s legislators, you could easily pick out upstate vs. downstate

• The economies. There is more wealth upstate. A higher standard of living.

• Northern Delaware is “Yankee,” while southern Delaware is Dixie in language, culture, and politics. The exception is the beaches, which are an enclave of northern Delaware.

• The north is Northern and the south (below the canal) is Southern with all that [goes with] those generalizations

• It seems about twice as hard for an upstate Delawarean to drive downstate than for a downstate Delawarean to drive upstate

• No interstate past New Castle County

• More of a sense of community downstate: you know your neighbors

• Act the beach vs. live the beach

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: ‘Lower Slower Delaware’: First State’s differences, north and south