Delaware County, Pennsylvania
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Delaware County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population is 550,864.
Delaware County was created on September 26, 1789 from part of Chester County and named for the Delaware River. Its county seat is Media6.
Socioeconomically, Delaware County runs the gamut from the disadvantaged towns of Chester and Trainer amidst the oil refineries along the Delaware River, to the posh suburban neighborhoods of Radnor and Villanova along the wealthy Main Line to the north. Politically, Delaware County has traditionally been very conservative, and had voted Republican in nearly every election since 1854 through 1988. In recent elections, Delaware County has been trending Democratic, and in 2004 was won by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry by 14 points.
This county is part of the Delaware Valley area.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 494 km² (191 mi²). 477 km² (184 mi²) of it is land and 17 km² (7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.42% water.
Demographics
As of 2000, there are 550,864 people, 206,320 households, and 139,472 families residing in the county. The population density is 1,155/km² (2,990/mi²). There are 216,978 housing units at an average density of 455/km² (1,178/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 80.32% White, 14.52% African American, 0.11% Native American, 3.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.52% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 206,320 households out of which 31.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% are married couples living together, 12.90% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% are non-families. 27.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the county, the population is spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.90 males.
Transportation
Delaware County is bisected north to south by Blue Route Interstate 476, commonly known as the Blue Route, which connects I-76 in the extreme northern corner of the county to I-95, which parallels the Delaware River along the southeastern edge of the county.
Delaware County is home to SEPTA's 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby, and is served by the Norristown High Speed Line, two Red Arrow trolley lines (Routes 101 and 102), four Regional Rail Lines (the R1, R2, R3, and R5), and a host of bus routes.
The western portion of Philadelphia International Airport is located in Delaware County, and the county hosts some airport-related commerce such as Philadelphia's UPS terminal and airport hotels.
Cities and towns
- Aldan
- Aston Township
- Bethel Township
- Boothwyn
- Brookhaven
- Broomall
- Chadds Ford Township
- Chester Heights
- Chester Township
- Chester
- Clifton Heights
- Collingdale
- Colwyn
- Concord Township
- Darby Township
- Darby
- Drexel Hill
- East Lansdowne
- Eddystone
- Edgmont Township
- Folcroft
- Folsom
- Glenolden
- Haverford Township
- Lansdowne
- Lima
- Linwood
- Lower Chichester Township
- Marcus Hook
- Marple Township
- Media
- Middletown Township
- Millbourne
- Morton
- Nether Providence Township
- Newtown Township
- Norwood
- Parkside
- Prospect Park
- Radnor Township
- Ridley Park
- Ridley Township
- Rose Valley
- Rutledge
- Sharon Hill
- Springfield Township
- Springfield
- Swarthmore
- Thornbury Township
- Tinicum Township
- Trainer
- Upland
- Upper Chichester Township
- Upper Darby Township
- Upper Providence Township
- Village Green-Green Ridge
- Wallingford
- Woodlyn
- Yeadon
School District
External links
- Delaware County official website (http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/)
- Delaware County's Number One Web Portal & Directory (http://www.totallydelco.com/)
