Townsend, Delaware facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Townsend, Delaware
Town
House on Main Street
Location of Townsend in New Castle County, Delaware.
Townsend, Delaware Location in Delaware Show map of Delaware Townsend, Delaware Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Delaware
County	New Castle
Incorporated	1885
Area
• Total	1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2)
• Land	1.04 sq mi (2.68 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	69 ft (21 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,717
• Density	2,622.59/sq mi (1,012.36/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	19734
Area code(s)	302
FIPS code	10-72510
GNIS feature ID	214755
Website	http://townsend.delaware.gov

Townsend is a small town located in New Castle County, Delaware, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,717 people lived there. It's known for being the exact center of population for the state of Delaware.

Exploring Townsend's Location and Size

Townsend is found at 39°23′42″N 75°41′30″W / 39.39500°N 75.69167°W / 39.39500; -75.69167. This is its exact spot on a map.

The United States Census Bureau says the town covers a total area of about 1.04 square miles (2.69 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water inside the town limits.

Townsend's Past: A Look at Its History

Townsend officially became a town on April 3, 1885. Before this, it was sometimes called Charley Town. The town grew because of the Delaware Railroad, which arrived in 1856. This railroad helped local farmers sell their crops.

The town got its name from Samuel John Townsend, a well-known businessman and farmer. He and his brother John bought a lot of farmland in the area. When the railroad came through Samuel's property, it became a key spot for shipping farm goods. The first post office opened in 1856, and a hotel followed in 1857. After some discussion, residents decided to name the train station, and then the town, "Townsend."

For a while, the peach industry was very important to Townsend's success. Farmers grew many peaches, but a disease later damaged many orchards in the late 1800s. By the mid-1800s, a community of free African Americans also lived here.

Today, Townsend is still mostly a farming area with lots of open land and local produce. The town has a "Comprehensive Development Plan" to help protect its land and guide its growth. In 1986, the Townsend Historic District, which includes 216 old buildings, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means these buildings are important to history and are protected.

Leaders of Townsend: The Mayors

The mayor is the leader of the town. Here are some of the people who have served as mayor of Townsend:

• 2007(?)-2009: Dave Raughley
• 2010–2011: John Hanlin
• 2011-2012: Steve High
• 2012-2014: Joel Esler
• 2014-2015: Jermaine Hatton
• 2016-2019: Rudy Sutton
• 2019–2021: Tom McDonald
• 2021-2022: Patrick Miller
• Current: Scott Lobdell, P.E.

Townsend's Infrastructure: How the Town Works

Infrastructure includes the basic systems and services a town needs, like roads, utilities, and transportation.

Getting Around: Transportation in Townsend

DE 71 southbound in Townsend

Delaware Route 71 is a main road that goes through the eastern part of Townsend. It connects to Middletown to the northwest and U.S. Route 13 to the southeast. Main Street is the main road that runs east and west through the town.

For public transportation, DART First State offers bus service on Route 302. This bus route goes north to Middletown and south to Smyrna and Dover. Townsend is also a meeting point for two railroad lines: the Delmarva Central Railroad and the Maryland and Delaware Railroad.

Essential Services: Utilities in Townsend

• Electricity: Provided by Delmarva Power, which is part of a larger company called Exelon.
• Natural Gas: Supplied by Chesapeake Utilities.
• Water: Comes from Artesian Water Company, a part of Artesian Resources.
• Trash and Recycling: Collected by Waste Industries.

Learning in Townsend: Education

Children in Townsend attend schools within the Appoquinimink School District. Even though Odessa High School has a Townsend mailing address, it serves students from the wider area.

MOT Charter School is another school option in the area. It is a charter school, which means it operates independently but still receives public funding.

Who Lives in Townsend: Demographics

In 2000, there were 346 people living in Townsend. By 2010, the population had grown a lot to 2,049 people, and by 2020, it reached 2,717.

In 2000, most people in Townsend were White (84.10%), with a smaller number of African Americans (11.56%) and other groups. About 2.60% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Townsend in 2000 was 36 years old. About 26.9% of the people were under 18, and 12.7% were 65 or older.

Famous Faces from Townsend: Notable People

• Samuel John Townsend (1812–1881): He was a successful businessman and farmer. The town was named after him. He was known for growing and selling peaches.
• Happy Townsend (1879–1963): A professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1901 to 1906. He played for teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Senators.
• David P. Buckson (1920–2017): He was born in Townsend and later became the Governor of Delaware.
• Dominique McLean, also known as SonicFox: A professional esports player. He won the "Gamer of the Year" Award at The Game Awards 2018.

See also

In Spanish: Townsend (Delaware) para niños