3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 198xxWilmington, DE area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 198 changed +3.8% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +4.0% for Delaware and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 19801–19810. Most of its 2010 population lived in New Castle County (100%). Communities in the region include Elsmere, Pike Creek Valley, Edgemoor, Pike Creek, Greenville. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +3.8%
- 5-year change
- +44.5%
- Since Q1 1995
- +235%
- National rank (1 year)
- 424th
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 198 vs Delaware and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 198: 334.8
- Delaware: 344.5
- Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ metro: 338.2
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 198 | DE | U.S. | Gap vs DE | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.8% | +4.0% | +3.0% | −0.2 pts | +0.8 pts |
| 3 years | +13.9% | +16.6% | +12.9% | −2.8 pts | +1.0 pts |
| 5 years | +44.5% | +43.8% | +41.3% | +0.7 pts | +3.2 pts |
| 10 years | +77.3% | +81.6% | +93.3% | −4.3 pts | −16.0 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +235% | +245% | +292% | −9.8 pts | −56.8 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 198 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +232% | $996,735 |
| Q2 2000 | +186% | $857,286 |
| Q2 2005 | +78.5% | $535,375 |
| Q2 2010 | +75.2% | $525,487 |
| Q2 2015 | +80.0% | $540,039 |
| Q2 2020 | +59.2% | $477,629 |
| Q2 2021 | +44.5% | $433,509 |
| Q2 2023 | +13.9% | $341,579 |
| Q2 2025 | +3.8% | $311,443 |
How ZIP3 198 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 198 ranks 424th of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 2nd of 3 in Delaware. Its one-year change is +0.8 pts versus the nation and −0.2 pts versus Delaware. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 424th of 882 | 2nd of 3 |
| 3 years | 535th of 882 | 3rd of 3 |
| 5 years | 444th of 882 | 1st of 3 |
| 10 years | 628th of 882 | 3rd of 3 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 613th of 879 | 3rd of 3 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 198
ZIP3 198's index peaked in Q2 2007, fell 19.3% to its low in Q2 2012, and regained its peak in Q4 2020, about 13.5 years after the top. Today it sits +55.0% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 198 | Q2 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.3% | Q4 2020 (13.5 yrs) | +55.0% |
| DE | Q2 2007 | Q2 2012 | -20.4% | Q4 2020 (13.5 yrs) | +56.3% |
| Metro | Q2 2007 | Q2 2012 | -20.2% | Q1 2021 (13.8 yrs) | +56.4% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 198's index has changed +51.2% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 198 after inflation | DE after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | -0.1% | +0.1% | +0.5% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +3.7% | +6.2% | +6.9% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +16.5% | +15.9% | +18.4% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +27.5% | +30.6% | +31.3% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +51.2% | +55.6% | +52.7% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 198
Regional estimate
$531,944
- Estimated gain
- $231,944
- Index change
- +77.31%
- Start index
- 188.80
- End index
- 334.77
ZIP3 198 (Wilmington, DE area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197 · Newark, DE area | DE | +4.0% | +43.6% | +238% |
| 193 · West Chester, PA area | PA | +2.6% | +45.8% | +262% |
| 219 · Elkton, MD area | MD | +5.0% | +50.1% | +242% |
| 190 · Chester, PA area | PA | +3.7% | +45.6% | +276% |
| 191 · Philadelphia, PA area | PA | +4.4% | +26.3% | +380% |
| 081 · Camden, NJ area | NJ | +7.6% | +68.7% | +359% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 334.77 |
| Q1 2026 | 327.42 |
| Q4 2025 | 325.77 |
| Q3 2025 | 321.96 |
| Q2 2025 | 322.47 |
| Q1 2025 | 317.40 |
| Q4 2024 | 314.05 |
| Q3 2024 | 311.74 |
| Q2 2024 | 308.29 |
| Q1 2024 | 302.21 |
| Q4 2023 | 293.06 |
| Q3 2023 | 296.78 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 198?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 198, the regional index changed +3.8% over the year to Q2 2026, +44.5% over five years, +77.3% over ten years, and +235% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 198 appreciating faster than Delaware and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +3.8% compares with +4.0% for Delaware and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of +0.8 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is +3.2 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 198?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 198. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 19801 to 19810 (10 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.