There’s a certain pride that comes with saying you’re from Delaware County. We feel we’re a unique people living in a county with a unique identity and culture.

While that may be true, there are other Delaware Counties out there, each with its own cultural and historical identity.

There are at least five in the United States besides the one in the Philadelphia region.

You’ll find them in Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

Three of the five – Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma — are named for the Delaware (Lenape) Native Americans who originally lived on those lands.

The origin of the name for Delaware County, Iowa is less clear, but it is reported to be named in honor of the state of Delaware.

The one here at home, outside of Philadelphia, and in New York is named for the Delaware River.

So what are these other Delaware Counties like? Here’s a summary of these other places that share our namesake.

Delaware County, Indiana

Located in east-central Indiana, with low-rolling prairie and waterways, this county covers 392 square miles.  Muncie is the county seat, serving an estimated population of 113,900. (By comparison, the Pennsylvania version is home to 584,088).

The county was founded in 1827. There was rapid industrial growth here after the Civil War, when natural gas was discovered.

It has a mix of urban and rural areas.

If you visit, be sure to check out the Bob Ross Experience, highlighting the home where The Joy of Painting was filmed. You’ll find that at the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, a cultural complex of gardens, historic homes, and exhibits.

You’ve also found the home of the comic strip cat Garfield. He was created here by Jim Davis.

Other places to check out include the Owsley Museum of Art, the Muncie Children’s Museum, the Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Morrow’s Meadow, Tonne Winery, and the Red-tail Nature Preserve.

Delaware County, Iowa

You’ll find this Delaware County in northeastern Iowa. It was established in 1837 when Dubuque County was divided into smaller counties. Manchester is the county seat.

The county has an estimated 17,600 residents living in an area that’s about 579 square miles in rural northeastern Iowa.

It’s a county of rural farmland, small towns, cities, townships, and unincorporated communities.

If you visit, you can go to Backbone State Park, Iowa’s oldest state park, located in the northern part of the county. It has rugged limestone ridges, trails, camping, and the Maquoketa River Valley.

There’s also the Delaware County Historical Museum Complex, and other historic sites and museums.

You’ll find plenty of local fairs and festivals, including the annual Delaware County Fair in Manchester, scheduled this year for July 13-19. The Fairground covers 100 acres and has 23 permanent structures.

It features exhibits from local 4H, FFA, and other youth organizations, along with grandstand events and carnival rides.

Apparently, a man from Pennsylvania, Mr. Morley, exhibited his new invention, Barbed Wire, at the 1858 and 1859 Delaware County Fairs.

Delaware County, Ohio

Delaware County, Ohio, is in the center of the state and covers 457 square miles.  

It was formed in 1808 from part of Franklin County. Its county seat and largest city is Delaware, Ohio.

Delaware County is part of the Columbus metropolitan area, with a population of 214,124, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. It is among the fastest-growing counties in Ohio and the U.S., due to suburban expansion.

It has a mix of cities, villages, and townships, blending suburban neighborhoods, farmland, parks, waterways, and woodlands.

If you visit, you can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming,  hiking, and picnicking at Alum Creek State Park, or camp out and hike the trails at Delaware State Park.

Highbanks Metro Park in southern Delaware County is popular for its dramatic bluffs and extensive trails along the Olentangy River.

You can also visit the Arts Castle, a cultural arts center, or spend the day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The area has been listed among the best places to live in Ohio, especially for families.

Delaware County, Oklahoma

Delaware County, Oklahoma, is a scenic county of 738 square miles in the northeastern part of Oklahoma known for its lakes, outdoor recreation, and small-town communities.  

It was created in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state. With a population of 41,771 people, its county seat is Jay, Oklahoma.

Its towns are known for friendly small-town charm, local diners, festivals, and access to natural areas around Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

If you visit, you can travel to Natural Falls State Park in the Ozark foothills, Bernice State Park on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees (sometimes called the Crappie Capital of the World), and the Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park.

There’s also the Delaware County Free Fair, a community tradition of livestock shows, exhibits, and carnival rides.

Delaware County, New York

Delaware County is also a largely rural county in upstate New York, known for its Catskill Mountain scenery and small historic towns.

Delaware County sits west of the Hudson Valley and north of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1797, its current population is 44,000, and its county seat is in Delhi.

One of its communities, Hancock, is famous for fly fishing, while another, Margaretville, has a vibrant arts scene.

Most communities in this county are close-knit and tied to farming, tourism, and outdoor recreation.