Crime Scene & Biohazard Cleanup Near Shelbourne Forest Delaware, OH

Delaware is the county seat of Delaware County and was platted by Moses Byxbe on the west bank of the Olentangy River, with the town plan filed in the spring of 1808 — the same year the county itself was created.

Both the city and county are named for the Delaware (Lenape) Native American people, and the town site had earlier held a Lenape encampment and the Mingo village known as Pluggy's Town.

During the War of 1812, Delaware served as a headquarters for General William Henry Harrison.

Delaware is the birthplace of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, who was born in the city on October 4, 1822 — a marker at a gas station on East William Street now marks the site of his long-demolished birthplace home.

Ohio Wesleyan University, chartered in 1842 and one of the city's largest employers, grew out of a failed 1830s sulfur-spring health resort, with classes held in the old resort hotel.

The future president Hayes met his wife, Lucy, at Ohio Wesleyan, linking the university to the city's presidential history.

Delaware hosts the Little Brown Jug, one of harness racing's most prestigious races, held each September during the Delaware County Fair.

Delaware had 41,302 residents at the 2020 census, living in about 16,728 households, and the city says its population has almost doubled since 2000, making it one of Ohio's fast-growing small cities.

About 65% of Delaware's homes are owner-occupied, with a median owner-occupied home value of about $318,400 in Census Bureau figures for 2020–2024.

Local students attend Rutherford B. Hayes High School, commonly called Delaware Hayes, named for the city's presidential native son.