Delaware County, Pennsylvania

File:Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Delaware County, Pennsylvania is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 576,830, making it the fifth-most populous county in Pennsylvania. The county seat is Media.

History

Delaware County was created on September 26, 1789, from part of Chester County. It was named after the Delaware River, which forms its eastern border. The county has a rich history, including significant involvement in the American Revolutionary War and the Industrial Revolution.

Geography

Delaware County is bordered by Philadelphia County to the northeast, Montgomery County to the north, Chester County to the west, and the state of Delaware to the south. The county has a total area of 191 square miles, of which 184 square miles is land and 6.8 square miles is water.

Major Rivers and Waterways

• Delaware River
• Ridley Creek
• Chester Creek

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was:

• 68.3% White
• 20.6% African American
• 5.6% Asian
• 3.2% Hispanic or Latino
• 2.3% from two or more races

Government and Politics

Delaware County is governed by a five-member County Council. The county is part of the 5th Congressional District.

Education

Delaware County is home to several institutions of higher education, including:

• Swarthmore College
• Widener University
• Penn State Brandywine

Transportation

The county is served by several major highways, including:

• Interstate 95
• Interstate 476
• U.S. Route 1

Public transportation is provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which operates bus, trolley, and rail services throughout the county.

Points of Interest

• Tyler Arboretum
• Ridley Creek State Park
• Brandywine River Museum of Art

Notable People

• Tina Fey, actress and comedian
• Joe Biden, 46th President of the United States, who was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania but spent part of his childhood in Delaware County

See Also

• List of counties in Pennsylvania
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Delaware County, Pennsylvania