Average IQ in Delaware: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~100
US Ranking
#24
of 50 states
Region
Northeast
Note: No state administers IQ tests to its residents. These estimates are proxy conversions from standardized achievement scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) — an approach popularized by McDaniel's 2006 state-IQ estimates in the journal Intelligence — combined with demographic data. Proxy conversions carry real limitations: SAT/ACT participation rates differ sharply by state and bias comparisons, and the variation within any state dwarfs the differences between states. Figures are shown rounded; decimal precision would overstate what these proxies can support. They say nothing about any individual resident.
About Delaware's IQ Ranking
Delaware sits near the national average as a small state with diverse demographics. Wilmington's financial and pharmaceutical sectors (DuPont, AstraZeneca) attract educated professionals, while southern Delaware remains more rural and agricultural. The state's small size means educational policy can be implemented more uniformly than in larger states.
What Shapes Delaware's Cognitive Profile
Corporate law gives Delaware a peculiar professional class: the Court of Chancery's dominance in business litigation concentrates elite attorneys and financial specialists in Wilmington at a density no comparably small state can match. DuPont's two-century legacy built deep chemical engineering roots, and the University of Delaware's chemical engineering department remains among the most respected anywhere, a direct institutional inheritance. School choice participation runs unusually high, with charters like the Charter School of Wilmington posting top statewide results while drawing criticism over selective admissions. Sussex County's poultry industry has brought growing English learner populations to southern districts. NAEP results have been persistently mediocre, lagging what the state's income level would predict, a gap official reports acknowledge openly. Delaware State University, an HBCU in Dover, expanded by absorbing Wesley College in 2021. Financial services employment at Chase, Barclays, and Capital One now outweighs the old chemical sector. The estimated average hides a north-south gradient packed into just three counties.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Delaware vs Other Northeast States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | ~100 | #24 |
| Massachusetts | ~104 | #1 |
| New Hampshire | ~104 | #2 |
| Vermont | ~104 | #3 |
| Connecticut | ~103 | #4 |
| Maine | ~103 | #6 |
| New Jersey | ~103 | #8 |
| Rhode Island | ~101 | #17 |
| New York | ~101 | #18 |
| Pennsylvania | ~101 | #20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Delaware?
Delaware's estimated average IQ is 99.8, ranking #24 — near average. Wilmington's financial corridor lifts the average, while southern Delaware is more modest.
How does Delaware's small size affect education?
Being one of the smallest states allows Delaware to implement education reforms more uniformly and quickly. However, the state also has less higher education infrastructure than larger neighbors.
How does Delaware compare to nearby states?
Delaware (99.8) ranks below neighboring New Jersey (102.8) and Pennsylvania (100.5) but above Maryland (102.3) on some measures. Its small size creates more variance in estimates.
Explore Other States
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MyIQScores Editorial Team
Editorial team focused on cognitive testing & psychometrics research
Last updated
May 10, 2026
MyIQScores content is written and maintained by our editorial team using published research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics as its source base. We label estimates as estimates, link primary sources where available, correct errors when readers flag them, and update pages as research or feedback warrants — see our corrections policy.