How do I file a homestead exemption in New Castle County?

File with the New Castle County Office of Assessment. Submit the application to your county by April 30 for the upcoming tax year.

Who handles homestead exemptions in New Castle County?

The New Castle County Office of Assessment handles homestead exemption applications for homes in New Castle County, Delaware.

Is there a fee to file for the New Castle County homestead exemption?

No. Filing with your assessor or appraisal office is free.

New Castle County, DE Homestead Exemption: How to File

In New Castle County, the median owner-occupied home is worth $352,200 and the median homeowner pays $2,499 a year in real estate taxes, an effective rate of about 0.71% (Census ACS 2020-2024).

Median home value	$352,200
Median real estate taxes	$2,499 a year
Effective tax rate	0.71% (median taxes ÷ median value)
Where to file	New Castle County Office of Assessment ↗ Phone listed on the office page: 302-395-5520
Filing date	By April 30 (statewide rule; the New Castle County office may differ)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year, tables B25077 and B25103 (county FIPS 10003). Local add-on exemptions: not listed here unless the county publishes them; ask the office above.

Who owns homes in New Castle County

New Castle County has 154,724 owner-occupied homes; 69.0% of occupied homes are owned, below the statewide 73.0% for Delaware.
49,939 New Castle County owner households (32.3%) are headed by someone 65 or older, below the statewide 37.5%. Delaware programs in our verified data that cover older owners: Senior School Property Tax Credit.
About 26,290 veterans live in New Castle County (5.8% of adults). See veteran property tax relief by state.
32.8% of New Castle County owners have no mortgage (below the statewide 36.2%).
The median New Castle County home was built in 1975 (statewide: 1987).

Delaware statewide program

Senior School Property Tax Credit: A credit of up to 50% of school property tax, capped at $500. Who qualifies and how to apply in Delaware →

Estimate your savings

Other large counties · Delaware down payment assistance (DPA Finder)

Delaware counties with similar home values

Each files through its own office: Sussex County (Sussex County Assessment) · Kent County (Kent County Levy Court Assessment Office)

Related guides

Think your home is valued too high? Run the free “Is my assessment too high?” check to compare your notice with your own value estimate and see your appeal deadline.