Milford, Delaware Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Milford, Delaware is a small town located in Sussex County with a population of approximately 9,559 people as of the 2010 census. The town has a total area of 5.4 square miles and is situated along the Mispillion River. The climate in Milford is mild and temperate with cold winters and warm summers.

The history of Milford dates back to 1680 when it was first settled by English colonists. By 1763, Milford was officially chartered as a town by the colonial government in Pennsylvania. In the early 19th century, Milford became an important center for shipbuilding and other maritime activities. In 1838, it was incorporated as a city with its own mayor and city council elected by the citizens of Milford.

Politically, Milford is part of Delaware’s 6th congressional district and is represented by Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester in the U.S House of Representatives. The city also has its own mayor-council form of government that consists of an elected mayor and seven council members who are elected at-large from wards within the city limits.

The economy in Milford largely relies on tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, fishing and other services such as healthcare and education provided by numerous schools and colleges located within the area including Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) which offers associate degrees in various fields such as nursing, business administration, engineering technology among others.

When it comes to landmarks there are several notable historical sites that visitors can explore such as the Mispillion Lighthouse which has been standing since 1831; Old Mill Pond Park & Nature Area which features nature trails; Fort DuPont State Park & Historic Site which showcases Civil War era fortifications; Bicentennial Park & Splash Pad which offers attractions for all ages; Silver Lake Park which offers fishing opportunities; Parson Thorne Mansion & Gardens which is a historic mansion open to visitors from April to October; and many more unique sites that help make up this charming town’s character!

Population: 6,732. Estimated population in July 2024: 7,201 (+7.0% change)
Males: 3,124 (46.4%), Females: 3,608 (53.6%)

Sussex County

Zip code: 19963

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.1 years
Median household income: $32,525
Median house value: $93,000

Population by Race

Races in Milford:

  • White Non-Hispanic (64.5%)
  • Black (23.3%)
  • Hispanic (8.8%)
  • Other race (4.2%)
  • Two or more races (3.0%)
  • American Indian (1.1%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: English (13.5%), United States (12.1%), Irish (8.6%), German (8.2%), Italian (4.1%), Scotch-Irish (2.4%).

Elevation: 21 feet

Land area: 5.6 square miles

Map of Milford, DE

Population by Education

Milford, Delaware is a small city located in Kent County. With a population of approximately 9,559 people, it is the second largest city in the county. As of 2019, the median age was 40.1 years with a gender breakdown of 49.3% male and 50.7% female. The racial makeup of Milford was 81.0% White, 9.6% African American, 8.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 2.4% other races. The majority of Milford’s population is employed in educational services and health care and social assistance occupations making up 15% and 14%, respectively, of the total employment base in 2019. Other industries that employ many residents include retail trade (12%), manufacturing (10%), and accommodation and food services (9%). The median household income in Milford was $51,846 in 2019 with 20% of households living below the poverty level according to the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates from 2014-2018

For population 25 years and over in Milford

  • High school or higher: 76.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.5%
  • Unemployed: 7.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 20.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Milford city

  • Never married: 27.7%
  • Now married: 45.6%
  • Separated: 3.6%
  • Widowed: 12.3%
  • Divorced: 10.8%

6.3% Foreign born (4.8% Latin America, 1.3% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +401 (+6.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Milford:

  • BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER (about 19 miles; DOVER, DE)
  • BEEBE MEDICAL CENTER (about 22 miles; LEWES, DE)
  • NANTICOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INC (about 23 miles; SEAFORD, DE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Milford:

  • DOVER AFB (about 15 miles; DOVER, DE; Abbreviation: DOV)
  • SALISBURY-OCEAN CITY WICOMICO REGIONAL (about 41 miles; SALISBURY, MD; Abbreviation: SBY)
  • NEW CASTLE COUNTY (about 54 miles; WILMINGTON, DE; Abbreviation: ILG)

Other public-use airports nearest to Milford:

  • HENDERSON AVIATION (about 10 miles; FELTON, DE; Abbreviation: 0N6)
  • CHORMAN (about 14 miles; FARMINGTON, DE; Abbreviation: D74)
  • DELDOT HELISTOP (about 16 miles; DOVER, DE; Abbreviation: 0N5)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Milford:

  • DELAWARE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE-OWENS (about 17 miles; GEORGETOWN, DE; Full-time enrollment: 2,053)
  • DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 19 miles; Dover, DE; Full-time enrollment: 2,641)
  • SALISBURY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 40 miles; SALISBURY, MD; Full-time enrollment: 5,645)
  • UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE (about 47 miles; NEWARK, DE; Full-time enrollment: 17,786)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND-EASTERN SHORE (about 53 miles; PRINCESS ANNE, MD; Full-time enrollment: 2,940)
  • DELAWARE TECHNICAL & COMM COLL-STANTON-WILMINGTON (about 53 miles; NEWARK, DE; Full-time enrollment: 3,817)
  • WILMINGTON COLLEGE (about 54 miles; NEW CASTLE, DE; Full-time enrollment: 3,087)

Schools

Public high school in Milford:

  • MILFORD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,043; Location: 1019 NORTH WALNUT STREET; Grades: 08 – 12)

Private high school in Milford:

  • MILFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 70; Location: 301 OLD SHAWNEE RD; Grades: PK – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Milford:

  • MILFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 925; Location: 612 LAKEVIEW AVENUE; Grades: 05 – 08)
  • LULU M. ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 618; Location: 310 LOVERS LANE; Grades: 01 – 05)
  • BENJAMIN BANNEKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 567; Location: 449 NORTH STREET; Grades: 01 – 05)
  • MILFORD ILC (Students: 12; Location: 906 LAKEVIEW AVENUE; Grades: PK – 12)

Libraries

Library in Milford:

  • MILFORD DISTRICT FREE LIBRARY (Operating income: $311,299; Location: 11 SOUTH EAST FRONT STREET; 50,298 books; 1,195 audio materials; 3,003 video materials; 110 serial subscriptions)