Claymont, Delaware
Encyclopedia
Claymont is a census-designated place
(CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware
, United States. The population was 9,220 at the 2000 census
.
since at least A.D. 1200, with evidence of its original inhabitants along both banks pointing to the Middle Woodland period (1100-1600 B.C.). The first western inhabitants named the creek and settlement after the Lenape
chief who occupied the region. The area developed from a primarily agricultural community in the mid-19th century into a suburban resort area for wealthy Philadelphia families, and in the early 20th century into an industrial working community.
During the colonial period, the town served as a stop along the King's Highway
, and with its location at the confluence of Interstate 95
, Interstate 495
, Governor Printz Boulevard
and Philadelphia Pike, has long been a thoroughfare for travel between Philadelphia (20 miles to the north) and Washington, D.C. (100 miles to the south).
Claymont was so-named in 1856 upon the efforts of the wife of Reverend Clemson, pastor of the Episcopal church, after they had relocated from their family plantation, Claymont Court, in Charles Town, West Virginia
.
, on the ridge line between the coastal floodplain
of the Delaware River and the upland piedmont
area of northwestern New Castle County.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), all of it land. The area generally considered to be Claymont encompasses the entire 19703 ZIP code
, which is bounded by the Pennsylvania border to the north, the Delaware River to the east, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
line to the west, and Perkins Run to the south.
, and 2.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.18% of the population.
There were 3,792 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,813, and the median income for a family was $46,780. Males had a median income of $36,493 versus $28,399 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $20,211. About 6.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
The ZIP Code Tabulation Area
for 19703 includes communities such as Ashbourne Hills, the Greentree section, the Society Hill Section, and parts of Rolling Park, which are not included in Claymont CDP, and had a population of 15,312 at the 2000 census
.
, the Darley House
and the Robinson House. The Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization working to stimulate economic growth and residential improvement in Claymont, received a Sustainable Communities Award from the National Association of Counties. In what has been called "the single largest redevelopment project in Brandywine Hundred in the last 40 years", the 633-unit, 66 acres (267,092.8 m²) community of Brookview was razed beginning in 2007 to make way for Renaissance Village.
(which may have been the state's first racially integrated public school), Archmere Academy
(in the former home of industrialist John J. Raskob
), the Darley House
(former home of illustrator F. O. C. Darley
), and the Robinson House (with a Block House
believed to be the only structure remaining of the original Naaman's Creek settlement). It is also the headquarters of several prominent businesses, including Evraz Claymont Steel
and CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits
. Fortune 500 metals and mining giant, Minmetals, has a presence in Claymont as the owners of the Holiday Inn Select Hotel on Naamans Rd.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
, United States. The population was 9,220 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
History
Claymont has been a continuous settlement near the mouth of Naamans Creek on the Delaware RiverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
since at least A.D. 1200, with evidence of its original inhabitants along both banks pointing to the Middle Woodland period (1100-1600 B.C.). The first western inhabitants named the creek and settlement after the Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
chief who occupied the region. The area developed from a primarily agricultural community in the mid-19th century into a suburban resort area for wealthy Philadelphia families, and in the early 20th century into an industrial working community.
During the colonial period, the town served as a stop along the King's Highway
King's Highway (Charleston to Boston)
The King's Highway is a route over in length in the eastern United States. It joins Charleston, South Carolina, to Boston, Massachusetts. It was named after Charles II of England, who in 1650 directed his colonial governors to build it. It did not become a continuous wagon road until 1735...
, and with its location at the confluence of Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Delaware
In Delaware, Interstate 95 runs diagonally from the border with Maryland northeast to the border with Pennsylvania. Between the Maryland state line and exit 5, I-95 is also designated as the Delaware Turnpike and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Along with its auxiliaries, I-95 is the only...
, Interstate 495
Interstate 495 (Delaware)
Interstate 495 in Delaware is a six-lane bypass of Interstate 95 around the city of Wilmington, Delaware. Built in the mid-1970s and opened as the "Wilmington Bypass", the highway became, between 1978 and 1982, the route of I-95 around Wilmington, while the original highway through the city,...
, Governor Printz Boulevard
U.S. Route 13 in Delaware
U.S. Route 13 is the main north–south highway in the U.S. state of Delaware. It traverses the entire length of the state from the Maryland border in Delmar, Sussex County to the Pennsylvania border in Claymont, New Castle County. U.S. Route 13 connects many important cities and towns in...
and Philadelphia Pike, has long been a thoroughfare for travel between Philadelphia (20 miles to the north) and Washington, D.C. (100 miles to the south).
Claymont was so-named in 1856 upon the efforts of the wife of Reverend Clemson, pastor of the Episcopal church, after they had relocated from their family plantation, Claymont Court, in Charles Town, West Virginia
Charles Town, West Virginia
Charles Town is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,907 at the 2000 census. Due to its similar name, travelers have sometimes confused this city with the state's capital, Charleston.-History:...
.
Geography
Claymont is located at 39°47′58"N 75°27′53"W (39.799512, -75.464699), in northeastern Brandywine HundredBrandywine Hundred
Brandywine Hundred is the name of an unincorporated subdivision of New Castle County, Delaware. Hundreds were once used as a basis for representation in the Delaware General Assembly. Brandywine Hundred is a commonly used colloquial name for this area...
, on the ridge line between the coastal floodplain
Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
of the Delaware River and the upland piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
area of northwestern New Castle County.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), all of it land. The area generally considered to be Claymont encompasses the entire 19703 ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
, which is bounded by the Pennsylvania border to the north, the Delaware River to the east, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
line to the west, and Perkins Run to the south.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,220 people, 3,792 households, and 2,400 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,371.4 people per square mile (1,687.1/km²). There were 4,193 housing units at an average density of 1,988.0 per square mile (767.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 71.04% White, 23.33% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.18% of the population.
There were 3,792 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,813, and the median income for a family was $46,780. Males had a median income of $36,493 versus $28,399 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $20,211. About 6.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
The ZIP Code Tabulation Area
ZIP Code Tabulation Area
ZIP Code Tabulation Areas are statistical entities developed by the United States Census Bureau for tabulating summary statistics from Census 2000. This new entity was developed to overcome the difficulties in precisely defining the land area covered by each ZIP code...
for 19703 includes communities such as Ashbourne Hills, the Greentree section, the Society Hill Section, and parts of Rolling Park, which are not included in Claymont CDP, and had a population of 15,312 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Renaissance
Since 1993, several major revitalization efforts have been completed, including renovations of historical sites such as the Claymont Stone SchoolClaymont Stone School
The Claymont Stone School, also known as Naaman’s Creek School #1, is a historic schoolhouse built in 1805 on land donated by John Dickinson, located in Claymont, Delaware on the Philadelphia Pike just south of the Darley House. The school was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in...
, the Darley House
Darley House
The Darley House, located in Claymont, Delaware along the Philadelphia Pike and Darley Road, is the former home of world-renowned illustrator Felix Octavius Carr Darley ....
and the Robinson House. The Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization working to stimulate economic growth and residential improvement in Claymont, received a Sustainable Communities Award from the National Association of Counties. In what has been called "the single largest redevelopment project in Brandywine Hundred in the last 40 years", the 633-unit, 66 acres (267,092.8 m²) community of Brookview was razed beginning in 2007 to make way for Renaissance Village.
Places of interest
Claymont is home to several historic places, including the Claymont Stone SchoolClaymont Stone School
The Claymont Stone School, also known as Naaman’s Creek School #1, is a historic schoolhouse built in 1805 on land donated by John Dickinson, located in Claymont, Delaware on the Philadelphia Pike just south of the Darley House. The school was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in...
(which may have been the state's first racially integrated public school), Archmere Academy
Archmere Academy
Archmere Academy is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school of 474 students in Claymont, Delaware. It is run independently within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.-History:...
(in the former home of industrialist John J. Raskob
John J. Raskob
John Jakob Raskob, KCSG was a financial executive and businessman for DuPont and General Motors, and the builder of the Empire State Building. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1928 to 1932 and a key supporter of Alfred E. Smith's candidacy for President of the United...
), the Darley House
Darley House
The Darley House, located in Claymont, Delaware along the Philadelphia Pike and Darley Road, is the former home of world-renowned illustrator Felix Octavius Carr Darley ....
(former home of illustrator F. O. C. Darley
F. O. C. Darley
Felix Octavius Carr Darley often credited as F. O. C. Darley, was an American painter in watercolor and illustrator, known for his illustrations in works by well-known 19th century authors, including: James Fenimore Cooper, Charles Dickens, Mary Maples Dodge, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington...
), and the Robinson House (with a Block House
Block House
The Block House is a historic building located off Naamans Road in Claymont, Delaware. The Block House is believed to be the only structure remaining of original settlement on Naaman's Creek.-History:...
believed to be the only structure remaining of the original Naaman's Creek settlement). It is also the headquarters of several prominent businesses, including Evraz Claymont Steel
Evraz Claymont Steel
Evraz Claymont Steel Holdings, Inc is a steel mill located in Claymont, Delaware specializing in the manufacture of custom-order discrete steel plate out of scrapped steel. The plant houses an electric arc furnace mini-mill and employs approximately 500 people. The Evraz Group acquired Claymont...
and CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits
Cigna International Expatriate Benefits
CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits is a business unit within the Fortune 500 company known as the CIGNA Corporation. CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, in close proximity to Philadelphia, PA. Additional CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits...
. Fortune 500 metals and mining giant, Minmetals, has a presence in Claymont as the owners of the Holiday Inn Select Hotel on Naamans Rd.
Notable residents
- Valerie BertinelliValerie BertinelliValerie Anne Bertinelli is an American actress, best known for her roles as Barbara Cooper Royer on the television series One Day at a Time , Gloria on the television series Touched by an Angel and Melanie Moretti on the sitcom Hot in Cleveland .- Early years :Bertinelli was born in Wilmington,...
, One Day at a TimeOne Day at a TimeOne Day at a Time is an American situation comedy on the CBS network that aired from December 16, 1975 until May 28, 1984. It portrays Ann Romano, a divorced mother, played by Bonnie Franklin, her two teenage daughters Julie and Barbara Cooper and Schneider, their building superintendent .The show...
and Touched by an AngelTouched by an AngelTouched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
actress - Joe BidenJoe BidenJoseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
, U. S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and Vice PresidentVice President of the United StatesThe Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term... - J. Caleb BoggsJ. Caleb BoggsJames Caleb "Cale" Boggs was an American lawyer and politician from Claymont, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware, two terms as Governor of Delaware, and two terms as...
, Governor of Delaware, U. S. Representative, and U. S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... - F. O. C. DarleyF. O. C. DarleyFelix Octavius Carr Darley often credited as F. O. C. Darley, was an American painter in watercolor and illustrator, known for his illustrations in works by well-known 19th century authors, including: James Fenimore Cooper, Charles Dickens, Mary Maples Dodge, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington...
, known as "Father of American Illustration" - John J. RaskobJohn J. RaskobJohn Jakob Raskob, KCSG was a financial executive and businessman for DuPont and General Motors, and the builder of the Empire State Building. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1928 to 1932 and a key supporter of Alfred E. Smith's candidacy for President of the United...
, DuPontDuPontE. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
and General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
executive - Adolf Ulric Wertmüller, Swedish portrait painter