Moving to Townsend, Delaware

Townsend, Delaware is a small city located in New Castle County. Geographically, the city is situated on a flat plain and is surrounded by woods and farms. The climate in the area is mild, with warm summers and cold winters. The average rainfall for the area is about 42 inches per year.

The history of Townsend dates back to 1876 when it was founded by John Townsend as a farming community. Over the years, the city has grown into a vibrant community with many different types of businesses and industries.

Politically, Townsend is governed by a mayor-council system of government. The mayor is elected every four years, while the council members are elected on an at-large basis every two years.

The economy of Townsend relies heavily on agriculture, with corn and soybeans being the main crops grown in the area. There are also several small businesses that provide services such as auto repair shops and restaurants to locals and visitors alike.

The schools in Townsend are part of the Appoquinimink School District which serves over 10,000 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. There are several elementary schools located throughout town as well as a middle school and high school located near downtown Townsend.

As for landmarks, there are several historic sites that can be found throughout town including Stoney Creek Church which dates back to 1796, Old Town Hall which was built in 1874, and Olde Towne Hall Museum which features artifacts from the early days of Townsend’s history. Additionally, there are two parks located near downtown – Memorial Park which features walking trails and picnic areas, and Red Clay Creek Park which offers multiple sports fields for organized sports teams as well as playgrounds for families to enjoy.

Population: 346. Estimated population in July 2024: 373 (+7.8% change)
Males: 166 (48.0%), Females: 180 (52.0%)

New Castle County

Zip code: 19734

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.5 years
Median household income: $47,500
Median house value: $97,500

Population by Race

Races in Townsend:

• White Non-Hispanic (84.1%)
• Black (11.6%)
• Hispanic (2.6%)
• Other race (2.6%)
• Asian Indian (0.9%)
• American Indian (0.9%)

Ancestries: English (26.9%), Irish (25.7%), German (11.0%), United States (4.9%), Italian (4.6%), French (3.5%).

Elevation: 64 feet

Land area: 0.6 square miles

Population by Education

Townsend, Delaware is home to around 2,500 people. The population has grown steadily over the past decade due to the town becoming a popular destination for young families and retirees alike. Townsend is a small town with a big heart, and its residents take pride in their community, which is evident in the many local businesses that have been opened in recent years. The majority of Townsend’s population is white, followed by African American and Hispanic populations. The median household income of Townsend residents is $62,000 which is slightly higher than the state average. Townsend also has a large elderly population with 20% of its residents over the age of 65. This population consists mostly of retirees who are attracted to the town’s peaceful atmosphere and close proximity to major cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore. Townsend also has a large number of young families who are attracted by its excellent schools and strong sense of community. Overall, Townsend offers something for everyone making it an ideal place to live for those looking for a small-town feel with access to larger cities nearby.

For population 25 years and over in Townsend

• High school or higher: 80.3%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 4.8%
• Unemployed: 0.6%
• Mean travel time to work: 34.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Townsend town

• Never married: 30.1%
• Now married: 54.1%
• Separated: 0.0%
• Widowed: 7.2%
• Divorced: 8.6%

4.3% Foreign born (3.2% Latin America, 0.6% Asia, 0.6% Africa).

Population change in the 1990s: -72 (-17.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Townsend:

• ROCKFORD CENTER (about 14 miles; NEWARK, DE)
• UNION HOSPITAL-CECIL COUNTY (about 20 miles; ELKTON, MD)
• BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER (about 21 miles; DOVER, DE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Townsend:

• NEW CASTLE COUNTY (about 20 miles; WILMINGTON, DE; Abbreviation: ILG)
• DOVER AFB (about 26 miles; DOVER, DE; Abbreviation: DOV)
• PHILADELPHIA INTL (about 46 miles; PHILADELPHIA, PA; Abbreviation: PHL)

Other public-use airports nearest to Townsend:

• SUMMIT (about 9 miles; MIDDLETOWN, DE; Abbreviation: EVY)
• MASSEY AERODROME (about 10 miles; MASSEY, MD; Abbreviation: MD1)
• SMYRNA (about 10 miles; SMYRNA, DE; Abbreviation: 38N)

Amtrak station near Townsend:

• 20 miles: NEWARK (429 S. COLLEGE AVE.). Services: public payphones, free short-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Townsend:

• UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE (about 14 miles; NEWARK, DE; Full-time enrollment: 17,786)
• DELAWARE TECHNICAL & COMM COLL-STANTON-WILMINGTON (about 17 miles; NEWARK, DE; Full-time enrollment: 3,817)
• DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 21 miles; Dover, DE; Full-time enrollment: 2,641)
• WILMINGTON COLLEGE (about 21 miles; NEW CASTLE, DE; Full-time enrollment: 3,087)
• WIDENER UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 39 miles; CHESTER, PA; Full-time enrollment: 3,646)
• WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 39 miles; WEST CHESTER, PA; Full-time enrollment: 10,419)
• DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 42 miles; MEDIA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 5,248)

Public primary/middle school in Townsend:

• TOWNSEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 332; Location: 126 MAIN STREET; Grades: 01 – 05)