By Logan B. Anderson

DOVER — According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Kent County’s older-adult population is growing.

By 2030, the number of central Delaware residents 55 and older is expected to more than double what it was in 2000.

Twenty-one years ago, the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce spotted that trend and began holding its 55+ Expo each spring.

“Seniors are the fastest-growing sector in our county’s population,” said chamber president Dr. Dina Vendetti. “And we want people to have an opportunity to come out and see what’s available for people who are 55 and older.”

On Thursday, CDCC gathered a host of vendors, presenters and entertainment acts for the daylong event at Bally’s Dover.

Assembled in the convention area were representatives of local banks, real estate leaders and home care and health care professionals, among others.

Dr. Vendetti said the vendors were chamber members that serve central Delaware’s older population in some way, but that the event wasn’t just for that demographic.

“It’s also for people who are caring for aging relatives or friends. And the truth of the matter is, if people wait until they’re 55 to make plans for when they’re 55 and older, it’s too late. We try to have a lot of different industries,” she said.

Dover-based LakeView Realty wanted to provide information on housing options Thursday, and real estate agent Carla Wilson practices what she preaches.

“I’m a Realtor full time at LakeView Realty in Dover,” she said. “My niche in real estate is the 55-plus lifestyle of active-adult living. I live in an active-adult community, where they take care of our lawn care and our snow removal, and so a lot of my clients are older. This is kind of my market. And that’s why I’m here.”

Ms. Wilson, a Dover native who had an earlier career with the federal government, traveling to many different parts of the country, attributes the First State’s low property tax rates as a reason the older-adult population is increasing.

“As I got older and closer to retirement, I looked at all the places that I’ve lived because I’ve relocated a lot with the federal government,” she said. “I realized that property taxes in Delaware cannot be beat. I’ve lived in Connecticut, Philadelphia, Tennessee, New Jersey twice. And although I’d love to live in New Jersey (now) — I love the quality of life there — those property taxes were crazy.”

She added that many who live in her community are from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The Dover Federal Credit Union was another vendor at Thursday’s event.

Marianne Rust, member experience officer for DFCU, said her institution wanted to take part to connect with 55-and-older residents.

“Basically, we want to help them, answer their questions and let them know that we are in the local area and that they can always stop by and talk to us personally for any of their needs,” she said.

The expo will return next spring for its 22nd year, Dr. Vendetti said. For information, visit here.