New Castle County is the northernmost county in the state of Delaware and is located directly east of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the most populous county in the state with a population of 564,000 and covers an area of 491 square miles. The county seat and largest city is Wilmington, which has a population of around 72,000 people.
The population in New Castle County is predominantly Caucasian (72%) with African Americans making up 22% and other races such as Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans making up the remaining 6%. The median age in the county is 39 years old with about a quarter of its population being under 18 years old.
The largest cities in New Castle County after Wilmington are Newark with just over 33,000 residents; Middletown with 20,500; Bear with 19,400; Claymont with 16,800; Elsmere with 7600; New Castle Town with 6200; Hockessin with 5500; Townsend with 4100; and Kirkwood Highway with 3200. There are several smaller townships within the county such as Bellefonte, Mill Creek Hundred, Christiana Hundred and Red Lion Hundred as well as many rural areas throughout the county that provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation activities such as camping or hiking through its many parks or fishing along one of its many rivers or streams.
In terms of education New Castle County offers several public school systems including Brandywine School District in Wilmington and Christina School District in Newark along with some private schools such as Archmere Academy in Claymont. Additionally, there are two community colleges located within New Castle County – Delaware Technical Community College located in Stanton and Delaware State University located in Dover – both offering various degree programs for students looking to further their education.
New Castle County provides an excellent quality of life for its citizens through its diverse culture and variety of activities ranging from outdoor recreation to educational opportunities for all ages. With its close proximity to Philadelphia, it also provides easy access to big city attractions while still maintaining a small-town feel that makes it a great place to live or visit.
History of New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware is located in the northeastern part of the state and is home to around 550,000 people. It was first settled by Europeans in 1638 and was one of the original three counties created when Delaware became a state in 1776. The county has a long history of being an important hub for trade, commerce, and industry, which has made it an attractive place for settlers since its founding.
The earliest settlers to New Castle County were Dutch traders who arrived in 1638 and established Fort Casimir at what is now known as New Castle City. This settlement eventually grew into a trading port that became very prosperous in the 1700s due to its favorable location on the Delaware River. During this time, many immigrants from Germany, Sweden, England, and other parts of Europe came to settle in this area as well as those coming from other parts of the colonies looking for new opportunities.
In 1704 New Castle County was divided into two separate counties – Kent County which included most of what is now Delaware south of New Castle City and Sussex County which included most of what is now Delaware north of New Castle City. This division remained until 1881 when Kent County was merged back into New Castle County forming the current boundaries that are still used today.
During this time period many industries began to develop within New Castle County such as shipbuilding along with manufacturing plants producing steel products like nails and wire mesh fencing as well as flour mills powered by water wheels along major rivers throughout the county. The area also saw growth due to its close proximity to Philadelphia which allowed for easy access to markets for goods produced here or brought from elsewhere.
By the mid-19th century railroads had been built throughout New Castle County providing even more opportunities for growth including improved transportation between Wilmington and Philadelphia making it easier than ever before for goods produced here to reach buyers there. This growth continued throughout the 20th century with Wilmington becoming a major industrial center while other cities like Newark grew with residential neighborhoods and businesses catering towards tourists visiting nearby attractions like Winterthur Museum & Country Estate or Longwood Gardens.
Today, New Castle County continues to be an important economic hub within Delaware offering numerous employment opportunities through its various industries while also providing excellent educational facilities such as the University of Delaware (located just outside Wilmington) or Goldey-Beacom College located near Newark Airport which offers degree programs ranging from business administration to nursing degree programs among others. Additionally, there are many cultural activities available such as music festivals hosted by local venues like World Cafe Live at The Queen or outdoor recreation activities at places like Brandywine Creek State Park or White Clay Creek Preserve just outside Wilmington city limits. All these factors combined make New Castle County an excellent place to live, work, study or visit.
Major cities and towns in New Castle County, Delaware
According to AbbreviationFinder, New Castle County, Delaware is a vibrant and diverse area located on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The county is home to numerous cities and towns, each with its own unique character and attractions.
The largest city in New Castle County is Wilmington, which is located along the Christina River and serves as the county seat. Wilmington has a population of over 70,000 people and is home to many cultural attractions such as the Grand Opera House, Delaware Museum of Natural History, the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, and Hagley Museum & Library. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities in town with two major malls – Christiana Mall and Concord Mall – located nearby. Additionally, Wilmington has some excellent restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world as well as craft breweries like Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant or Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
In addition to Wilmington, there are several other major cities in New Castle County worth exploring. Newark is a historic town that was founded in 1694 by Swedish settlers and remains one of Delaware’s oldest cities today. It is known for its excellent educational institutions such as University of Delaware or Goldey-Beacom College while also offering plenty of recreational activities including outdoor sports at places like Deerfield Golf Club or White Clay Creek Preserve.
The city of Middletown is another popular destination located just south of Newark that offers visitors plenty to do including shopping at Middletown Square Shopping Center or visiting historical sites like Appoquinimink Friends Meetinghouse which dates back to 1708. The city also hosts several annual events throughout the year including an annual car show each June as well as a summer concert series at Silver Lake Park throughout July and August.
Smaller towns such as Claymont, Odessa, Townsend, Port Penn and Hockessin also make up New Castle County’s landscape offering visitors plenty to explore such as historic sites like Fort DuPont State Park near Claymont or local businesses like Townsend Ice Cream Parlor in Townsend.
There are many great cities and towns within New Castle County that offer something for everyone whether they want to explore history or take part in outdoor recreation activities while also enjoying delicious food from local restaurants or take part in various cultural events throughout the year.
Population in New Castle County, Delaware
According to maternityetchic.com, New Castle County is home to over 550,000 people, making it the most populous county in Delaware. The majority of the population is white (79%), while African Americans and Hispanics make up 15% and 5%, respectively. There is also a small but growing Asian population at 3%. The median age of residents is 38 years old, with about 26% of the population falling in the 18-34 age range.
The county has a diverse economy with industries such as finance, insurance, real estate, manufacturing, retail trade, and health care making up a large portion of its workforce. In recent years, there has been an influx of technology companies establishing offices in Wilmington which has helped to diversify the local economy even further.
Unemployment rates in New Castle County are typically lower than the national average as well as other counties within Delaware due to its strong job market and low cost of living. The median household income for residents is $60,000 per year which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages.
The area’s public school system includes nearly 50 schools serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The University of Delaware’s main campus is located in Newark and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields including engineering, business administration, education, and more. Several other smaller colleges such as Goldey-Beacom College are also located within New Castle County providing educational opportunities for students interested in pursuing higher education within the state.
New Castle County offers its residents plenty to do year-round with its numerous parks offering outdoor activities such as hiking or fishing while also hosting festivals throughout the year such as Riverfront Blues Festival or Firefly Music Festival at Dover Downs International Speedway each June/July. Additionally, there are several museums like Winterthur Museum & Gardens or Hagley Museum & Library that provide educational opportunities for those interested in learning more about local history or artistry. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder why so many people choose to call New Castle County home.