Smart People in Sussex County

Great minds have been meeting and working in what is now Sussex County since the days when King George III ruled the colonies from the other side of the “pond” and the men of the Continental Army prepared for battle against the seemingly unstoppable British redcoats.

Things really are not all that different today; the more things change, the more they stay the same. Some of the smartest men and women in the country are still choosing Delaware as their place of residence; as the state’s fastest growing county, many of these young professionals are taking up residence in Sussex.

Take a look at these national rankings compiled by the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index. In that study, Delaware ranked:

  • First in Initial Public Offering (IPO) proceeds as a percentage of state Gross Domestic Product.
  • First in doctoral scientists per 100,000 population.
  • Second in doctoral engineers per 100,000 population.
  • Fourth in the number of recent PhD’s per 100,000 population.
  • Seventh in the quality of its technology and science workforce.

In other words, “smart people” are choosing Delaware, and Sussex County, as a place to live, work and raise a family. They’re finding out what many businesses and corporations already know: Delaware has low taxes, big opportunities and plenty of recreational hot spots.

And they’re relocating here in record numbers.

Delaware has become known over the years as the “corporate capital of the world” because of its favorable tax laws and its system of chancery courts. More statistics back this up:

  • Delaware was chosen by the United States Chamber of Commerce in 2008 as the state with the best legal environment for business for the seventh consecutive year.
  • The state was chosen by CNBC in 2008 as the top state in the country in terms of “business friendliness.”
  • Forbes magazine ranked Delaware as the third best state in the country in terms of business costs in 2008 based on the cost of labor, energy and taxes.
  • Business Expansion magazine ranked the First State second in the country in the category of “best sales tax climate for business.”

Many area professional trade organizations, like the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, have been growing in numbers because of the changing demographics of Sussex County. Great minds think alike, even more so when they come together as one to share common goals and common ideals.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Sussex County has been the fastest growing county in Delaware since 1990. Between 2000 and 2003, the county population grew at a rate of 7.3 percent as retirees and young professionals moved to southern Delaware.

Many realized the advantages – both financial and otherwise – of moving to Sussex County. For a multitude of reasons, folks are relocating here in record numbers. After all, “smart people” choose Sussex.