Townsend, Delaware

Last updated

Townsend, Delaware
304 Main Townsend DE.JPG
House on Main Street
New Castle County Delaware Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Townsend Highlighted 1072510.svg
Location of Townsend in New Castle County, Delaware.
USA Delaware location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Townsend
Location within the state of Delaware
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Townsend
Townsend (the United States)
Coordinates: 39°23′42″N75°41′30″W / 39.39500°N 75.69167°W / 39.39500; -75.69167
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Delaware.svg  Delaware
County New Castle
Incorporated1885
Government
  MayorScott Lobdell, P.E.
Area
[1]
  Total1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2)
  Land1.04 sq mi (2.68 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
69 ft (21 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total2,717
  Density2,622.59/sq mi (1,012.36/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
19734
Area code 302
FIPS code 10-72510
GNIS feature ID214755 [2]
Website http://townsend.delaware.gov

Townsend is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 2,049 at the 2010 census, an increase of 492.2% from 2000. [3] The center of population of Delaware is located in Townsend. [4]

Contents

Geography

Townsend is located at 39°23′42″N75°41′30″W / 39.39500°N 75.69167°W / 39.39500; -75.69167 (39.3951115, –75.6915973). [5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), all land.

History

Townsend was incorporated as a town on April 3, 1885. Its primary business was selling agricultural produce via the Delaware Railroad. The railroad has since lost prominence over freight hauling, but the town still remains primarily agricultural with plenty of rural area and local produce.

The name, Townsend, comes from a prominent businessman and Delaware Democrat, Samuel John Townsend. Prior to 1885, the town was known as Charley Town. Between 1845 and 1855 brothers Samuel and John Townsend purchased several large tracts of farmland in the vicinity. The Delaware Railroad arrived here in 1856, bisecting Samuel Townsend's property. This led to a period of sustained growth for the town, as the railroad station became the principal shipping point for the area's agricultural products. In September 1856 the Post Office was established, and the first hotel opened in 1857. Following a healthy debate among the residents, the station was named Townsend, after the area's major land owners. The peach industry was a vital contributor to the area's growth and prosperity until disease destroyed many Delmarva orchards in the late 19th century. A free African American community was located here by the mid-19th century. [6]

The town has since created a "Comprehensive Development Plan", as required by state law February 2003, for land preservation. [7]

The Townsend Historic District, which includes 216 buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Mayors of the town

Note: List of Mayors is incomplete. Please add cited sources to complete this list.

0000? - 2007 Charles Murry (Town Records)

Infrastructure

Transportation

DE 71 southbound in Townsend 2022-07-18 15 12 30 View south along Delaware State Route 71 (Summit Bridge Road) at Main Street and Pine Tree Road in Townsend, New Castle County, Delaware.jpg
DE 71 southbound in Townsend

Delaware Route 71 runs northwest–southeast through the eastern part of Townsend and heads northwest to Middletown and southeast to an intersection with U.S. Route 13. Main Street serves as the main east–west road through Townsend. [10] DART First State provides bus service to Townsend along Route 302, which heads north to Middletown and south to Smyrna and Dover. [11] Townsend is located at the junction between the Delmarva Central Railroad's Delmarva Subdivision and the Maryland and Delaware Railroad's Northern Line. [12]

Utilities

Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon, provides electricity to Townsend. [13] Chesapeake Utilities provides natural gas to the town. [14] Artesian Water Company, a subsidiary of Artesian Resources, provides water to Townsend. [15] Trash and recycling collection in Townsend is provided by Waste Industries. [16]

Education

Townsend is within the Appoquinimink School District. [17] Odessa High School has a Townsend postal address.

MOT Charter School is an area charter school. [18]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880 199
1890 38794.5%
1900 3993.1%
1910 49423.8%
1920 453−8.3%
1930 421−7.1%
1940 54429.2%
1950 441−18.9%
1960 434−1.6%
1970 50516.4%
1980 386−23.6%
1990 322−16.6%
2000 3467.5%
2010 2,049492.2%
2020 2,71732.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [19]

At the 2000 census there were 346 people, 132 households, and 95 families living in the town. The population density was 582.3 inhabitants per square mile (224.8/km2). There were 151 housing units at an average density of 254.1 per square mile (98.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 84.10% White, 11.56% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 2.60% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.60%. [20]

Of the 132 households 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 20.5% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.06.

The age distribution was 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median household income was $47,500 and the median family income was $48,875. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $28,409 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,671. About 2.1% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camden, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Camden is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area. The population was 3,715 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheswold, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Cheswold is a town in Kent County in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,923 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clayton, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Clayton is a town in Kent and New Castle counties in the U.S. state of Delaware. Located almost entirely in Kent County, it is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,918 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farmington, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Farmington is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 92 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felton, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Felton is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan statistical area. The population was 1,568 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrington, Delaware</span> City in Delaware, United States

Harrington is a city in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan statistical area. Harrington hosts the annual Delaware State Fair each July. The population was 3,774 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Houston is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area. The population was 381 in 2020. It was named for John W. Houston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leipsic, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Leipsic is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area. The population was 178 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viola, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Viola is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area. The population was 140 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodside, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Woodside is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 190 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyoming, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Wyoming is a town in Kent County, Delaware, United States. It was named after the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. It is part of the Dover metropolitan area. The population was 1,680 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middletown, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Middletown is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. According to the 2021 Census, the population of the town is 24,164.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odessa, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Odessa is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 364 at the 2010 census. Founded as Cantwell's Bridge in the 18th century, the name was changed in the 19th century, after the Ukrainian port city of the same name. Today a significant part of the town is a historic district list on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blades, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Blades is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 1,241, a 29.8% increase over the previous decade. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgeville, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Bridgeville is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population is 2,568. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagsboro, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Dagsboro is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. The population was 805 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delmar, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Delmar is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States, on the Maryland border along the Transpeninsular Line. Its motto is "The Little Town Too Big for One State." The population was 1,597 at the 2010 census, an increase of 13.5% over the previous decade. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area and a suburb of Salisbury, MD. When added with Delmar, Maryland, the total population of the town was 4,600 at the 2010 Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellendale, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Ellendale is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. The population was 487 at the 2020 census, an increase of 27.8% since the 2010 census, and a 48.9% increase since the year 2000. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. Ellendale is the "Gateway to Delaware's Resort Beaches" because it is the town located on U.S. Route 113, the resort area's westernmost border, and Delaware Route 16, the resort area's northernmost border with the eastern border being the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean and the southern border being the state line with Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankford, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Frankford is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. The population was 847 at the 2010 census, an increase of 18.6% over the previous decade. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenwood, Delaware</span> Town in Delaware, United States

Greenwood is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. The population was 973 at the 2010 census, an increase of 16.2% over the previous decade. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  2. "Townsend". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. "The Delaware Census State Data Center". Stateplanning.delaware.gov. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  4. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search- DE, Townsend town". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Townsend Historical Marker".
  7. "2010 Update to the 2003 Town of Townsend Comprehensive Plan" (PDF). The University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA). Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  8. "Town Council Minutes". Town of Townsend. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  9. "Town Council Meeting".
  10. Delaware Department of Transportation (2008). Delaware Official Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Dover: Delaware Department of Transportation.
  11. "Routes and Schedules". DART First State. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  12. "Delmarva Central Railroad". Carload Express. November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  13. "Service Territory". Delmarva Power. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  14. "Delmarva Service Territory". Chesapeake Utilities. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  15. Geographic Information (Map). New Castle County, Delaware. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  16. "Trash and Recycling Pick Up Information". Townsend, Delaware. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  17. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: New Castle County, DE" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  18. "PHOTOS: Back to school in M.O.T. area". Middletown Transcript . September 1, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2021. Most schools in the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend area[...] while M.O.T. Charter School students [...]
  19. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. "Townsend family papers". library.udel.edu. University of Delaware.
  22. 'Dover Downs founder, politician Buckson dies at 96,' Delaware State News, Andrew West, January 18, 2017