Delaware County, Pennsylvania Totally Explained

Everything about Delaware County Pennsylvania totally explained

Delaware County (known colloquially as "Delco") is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2000, the population was 550,864, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties.
   Delaware County was created on September 26, 1789 from part of Chester County and named for the Delaware River. Its county seat, since 1851, is Media. Chester City, prior to 1851, was the county seat of both Delaware County and, before that, of Chester County.
   Socioeconomically, Delaware County runs the gamut from economically depressed and working class communities such as the City of Chester and the Borough of Darby to the posh suburban neighborhoods of Radnor Township and Villanova located along the wealthy Main Line to the north.
    of the county are occupied by the Ridley Creek State Park.
   The county is part of the Delaware Valley area. Delaware County is the only county that consists entirely of the area code 610.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 191 square miles (494 km²), of which, 184 square miles (477 km²) of it's land and 7 square miles (17 km²) of it (3.42%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Montgomery County (north)
Philadelphia County (east)
Gloucester County, New Jersey (southeast)
New Castle County, Delaware (southwest)
Chester County (west)

Politics

Presidential elections results>

Year	GOP	Dems
2004	42.3% 120,425	57.1% 162,601
2000	42.7% 105,836	54.4% 134,861
1996	39.5% 92,628	49.5% 115,946
1992	40.8% 108,587	41.8% 111,210
1988	59.9% 147,656	39.0% 96,144
1984	61.8% 161,754	37.4% 98,027
1980	55.8% 143,282	34.4% 88,314
1976	54.9% 148,679	43.3% 117,252
1972	63.9% 175,414	34.3% 94,144
1968	50.2% 133,777	40.0% 106,695
1964	42.9% 111,189	56.8% 147,189
1960	52.0% 135,672	47.8% 124,629

Politically, Delaware County has traditionally been very conservative and had voted Republican in nearly every election since 1854 through 1988. In recent elections however, Delaware County has been trending Democratic and in the 2004 election was won by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry by 14 points. In the 2004 US Senate election, Republican Arlen Specter defeated Joe Hoeffel but Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. defeated Rick Santorum in the 2006 Senate election. Likewise, 10-term Republican Congressmen Curt Weldon was defeated by former naval admiral and Democratic challenger Joe Sestak in the 2006 U.S. House of Representatives election.
As of November 2007, there are 371,865 registered voters in Delaware County (External Link

Democratic: 132,783 (35.71%)

Republican: 197,006 (52.98%)

Other Parties: 42,076 (11.31%)

Demographics

As of 2000, there were 550,864 people, 206,320 households, and 139,472 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,990 people per square mile (1,155/km²). There were 216,978 housing units at an average density of 1,178 per square mile (455/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.6% were of Irish, 17.5% Italian, 10.1% German and 6.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
   There were 206,320 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.17.
   In the county, the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.
   The median income for a household in the county was $50,092, and the median income for a family was $61,590. Males had a median income of $44,155 versus $31,831 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,040. About 5.80% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

Media

The county itself is serviced by several newspapers, most notably the News of Delaware County, the Delaware County Daily Times, and The Suburban and Wayne Times. The Philadelphia Inquirer also has a significant presence, reflecting Delaware County's status as a suburb of Philadelphia.

People from Delaware County

Herb Adderley, former professional American football player, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys

Paul Arizin, Named one of 50 greatest Basketball Players in NBA History

Anthony Becht, American football player, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ron Bennington, XM Radio talk show host, The Ron and Fez Show

Jan Berenstain, children's book author

Matt Blundin, former American football player, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions

Leroy Burrell, World Champion Sprinter and former World Record holder in the 100 Meter Dash

Danny Bonaduce, actor, radio talk show host

John Cappelletti, former professional American football player, 1973 Heisman Trophy winner

Mickey Cochrane, Former Major League Baseball Player and Member of Hall of Fame

Dan Connor, All-American linebacker, 2007 Bednarik Award winner

Jerry Crawford, Baseball Umpire

Joe Crawford, NBA Official

Shag Crawford, Baseball Umpire

Jim Croce, singer/songwriter

Pat Croce, Former 76ers President, Founder of Novacare, & author

Ann Crumb, Broadway actress

Bruce Davison, actor

Ray Didinger, Pro Football Hall of Fame Sports Writer

Paul DiMeo, carpenter

Tim Donaghy, Former NBA Official

Tina Fey, actress/comedienne

Seth Green. actor/comedian

Randy Grossman, former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end

Bill Haley, singer, "Rock Around the Clock"

Brendan Hansen, Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalist in 2004 Olympics, World Record holder in 100 and 200 Meter Breast Stroke

Monica Horan, actress

Joan Jett, Musician

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Former NFL Punt/Kickoff Returner

Kevin Jones, American Football Player

Jamie Kennedy, actor/comedian

Joe Klecko, Pro Football Hall of Fame Defensive Tackle

Stephenie LaGrossa Ward, participant Survivor (US TV series) Palau and Guatemala

Glen Macnow Radio host on 610 WIP and well known sportswriter in Philadelphia.

Bill Maas, American Football Player and Commentator

Al Martino, Singer/Actor

Dan McKeown, record producer/songwriter/musician

Larry Mendte, CBS Philadelphia newscaster

Ted Meredith, 1912 Olympic gold medal, world record 800 meter Champion

Deron Miller, frontman for CKY

Anna Moffo, American soprano

Dan Morgan, American Football Player

John Morton (politician) Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Danny Murtaugh, Baseball Manager

Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic Guard

Cheri Oteri, actress/comedienne

Vince Papale, former Philadelphia Eagle football player

Adrian Pasdar, actor Heroes (tv series)

Geoff Petrie, NBA Basketball Player and Executive

Frank Piasecki, Inventor of the Twin Rotor Helicopter

Deirdre Quinn, Actress

Jack Ramsay, Basketball Coach

Todd Rundgren, singer/songwriter

Bo Ryan, Basketball Coach University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mike Scioscia, baseball player and manager

Joe Sestak, U.S. Congressman

Emlen Tunnell, Hall of Fame American Football Player

Curt Weldon, politician

Benjamin West, 18th Century Artist

Thomas F. Wilson, actor

Andrew Wyeth, artist

Transportation

Delaware County is bisected north to south by Blue Route Interstate 476, 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(P&W), 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.

Municipalities

There are 49 municipalities in Delaware County. Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs,, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Delaware County:

Census-Designated Places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Ardmore

Folsom

Lima

Linwood

Riddlewood

Rosemont

Village Green-Green Ridge

Villanova

Wallingford

Wawa

Wayne

Woodlyn

Education

Public school districts

Chester Upland School District

Chichester School District

Garnet Valley School District

Haverford Township School District

Interboro School District

Marple Newtown School District

Penn-Delco School District

Radnor Township School District

Ridley School District

Rose Tree Media School District

Southeast Delco School District

Springfield School District

Upper Darby School District

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District

Wallingford-Swarthmore School District

West Chester Area School District

William Penn School District

Colleges and universities

Cabrini College

Cheyney University

Eastern University

Delaware County Community College

Haverford College

Neumann College

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

Penn State Brandywine

Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades

Adult education

Haverford Adult School

Main Line School Night

Upper Darby Adult Evening Program

Public libraries

Aston Free Library

Collingdale Public Library

J. Lewis Crozer Library (Chester)

Darby Free Library

Folcroft Public Library

Helen Kate Furness Library (Wallingford)

Glenolden Library

Haverford Township Free Library

Rachel Kohl Community Library (Glen Mills)

Lansdowne Public Library

Marple Public Library

Mary M. Campbell Library (Marcus Hook)

Media-Upper Providence Free Library

Middletown Free Library

Newtown Square Public Library

Norwood Public Library

Prospect Park Public Library

Memorial Library of Radnor Township

Ridley Park Public Library

Ridley Township Public Library

Sharon Hill Public Library

Springfield Township Library

Swarthmore Public Library

Tinicum Memorial Public Library

Upper Darby & Sellers Memorial Library (main)

Upper Darby Library-Municipal Branch

Upper Darby Library-Primos Branch

Yeadon Public Library

Delaware County Francis J. Catania Law Library

Delaware County Library System (government agency)

Recreation

There is one Pennsylvania state park in Delaware County.

Ridley Creek State ParkFurther Information

Get more info on 'Delaware County Pennsylvania'.

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