Delaware’s Healthcare System Fueling Economic Growth
Delaware’s healthcare system is more than a network of hospitals and clinics—it is a critical driver of economic stability, job creation, and community well-being. As one of the state’s largest employment sectors and with major expansions underway, Delaware’s healthcare network is evolving to meet the needs of its growing population. By continuing to invest in infrastructure, workforce development, and innovative care models, Delaware is positioning itself as a leader in regional healthcare excellence.
A Regional Economic Engine
Delaware’s healthcare system is anchored by renowned hospitals and medical centers, including ChristianaCare, Bayhealth, Beebe Healthcare, TidalHealth, and Nemours Children’s Health. These institutions not only provide critical medical services but also serve as major economic drivers, employing over 80,000 thousand workers across the state in 2024 according to Chmura JobsEQ. Additionally, Delaware’s growing biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical technology sectors fuel economic expansion by attracting new investment and a highly-skilled workforce.
Ongoing investment in healthcare facilities, particularly in the state’s central and southern counties where population growth has surged, indicates the adaptiveness of Delaware’s healthcare network. TidalHealth is expanding its footprint with a new medical campus in Millsboro, an investment exceeding $100 million, which will provide 150,000 square feet of medical service space across three buildings. The facility, expected to open by late 2026, will bring much-needed healthcare services closer to residents, reducing travel time for critical care. Additionally, TidalHealth’s partnership with Ninth Street Development Co. will bring a new 22,000-square-foot healthcare facility to the landmark $60 million revitalization and redevelopment of the Nylon Capital Shopping Center in Seaford. In Milford, a newly opened ChristianaCare facility in February 2025 further increases access to care in central Delaware.
In New Castle County, Nemours Children’s Health is investing $130 million in an expansion of its Alfred I. duPont Campus in Wilmington — the largest single-year capital investment in the organization’s Delaware history. This initiative will enhance maternal and fetal health services, neonatology, cancer care, and cardiology, ensuring that Delaware families have access to cutting-edge medical treatments within the state.
These major expansions not only improve healthcare accessibility but also serve as economic catalysts, creating new job opportunities, attracting healthcare professionals, and fostering commercial growth in surrounding communities.
The Future of Healthcare in Delaware
Beyond hospital expansions, Delaware’s healthcare sector also includes a growing life sciences industry home to innovative biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms like Incyte, AstraZeneca, Siemen’s Healthineers, and Prelude Therapeutics. The state’s location along the I-95 corridor facilitates collaboration with major life sciences and precision medicine research hubs in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. The regional connection offered in Delaware provides companies with access to cutting-edge advancements, a highly educated workforce, and investment opportunities in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology.
Partially located within two of the nation’s top ten metro areas for life sciences’ talent – Philadelphia and Baltimore/Washington, D.C.– Delaware universities contributes to the highly skilled workforce with strengths in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, and medical devices. As the life sciences sector continues to grow, Delaware stands to benefit from deeper regional partnerships, emerging startups, and the expansion of biotech-driven healthcare solutions Delaware’s healthcare system supports expansion and innovation while balancing evolving patient needs.
Through further investment in new medical infrastructure and technologies as well as recruitment of top healthcare talent, Delaware can fortify its position as a regional leader in healthcare excellence. These efforts not only enhance public health but also drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents across the state.