Darby, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Darby is a borough
in Delaware County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, along Darby Creek 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It has a public library founded in 1743 and a cemetery more than 300 years old. The Quakers
lived there early in the colonial era. Darby was settled about 1660 and was incorporated on March 3, 1852. In 1900, 3,429 people made their homes there, in 1910, 6,305, and in 1940, 10,334 residents of Darby existed. The population was 10,299 at the 2000 census. There is speculation, according to local historians, that the name "Darby" is related to "Derby" derived from the English town of Derby, in the county of Derbyshire. One explanation states that the Darby Creek closely resembled the English River Derwent, the main body of water that flows through Derby. British immigrants named the town in the new world thus.
Birthplace of comedian and actor, W.C. Fields, born in 1880 at the Buttonwood Hotel, then located at 9th and Main Streets.
Darby Borough is a distinct municipality from the similarly named, nearby municipality of Darby Township.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 10,299 people, 3,405 households, and 2,393 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 12,624.5 people per square mile (4,849.3/km²). There were 3,999 housing units at an average density of 4,902.0 per square mile (1,883.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 36.37% White, 60.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races
, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There were 3,405 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were married couples
living together, 30.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.45.
In the borough the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $36,938, and the median income for a family was $30,065. Males had a median income of $35,507 versus $22,451 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $16,990. About 35.5% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
serves Darby.
In addition to these public institutions, there is in Darby the school known as Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), a parochial school affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
in Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along Darby Creek 5 miles (8 km) southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It has a public library founded in 1743 and a cemetery more than 300 years old. The Quakers
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
lived there early in the colonial era. Darby was settled about 1660 and was incorporated on March 3, 1852. In 1900, 3,429 people made their homes there, in 1910, 6,305, and in 1940, 10,334 residents of Darby existed. The population was 10,299 at the 2000 census. There is speculation, according to local historians, that the name "Darby" is related to "Derby" derived from the English town of Derby, in the county of Derbyshire. One explanation states that the Darby Creek closely resembled the English River Derwent, the main body of water that flows through Derby. British immigrants named the town in the new world thus.
Birthplace of comedian and actor, W.C. Fields, born in 1880 at the Buttonwood Hotel, then located at 9th and Main Streets.
Darby Borough is a distinct municipality from the similarly named, nearby municipality of Darby Township.
Geography
Darby is located at 39°55′6"N 75°15′30"W (39.918312, -75.258360).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 borough has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,299 people, 3,405 households, and 2,393 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 12,624.5 people per square mile (4,849.3/km²). There were 3,999 housing units at an average density of 4,902.0 per square mile (1,883.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 36.37% White, 60.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races
Race (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 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There were 3,405 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 30.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.45.
In the borough the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $36,938, and the median income for a family was $30,065. Males had a median income of $35,507 versus $22,451 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 borough was $16,990. About 35.5% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
William Penn School DistrictWilliam Penn School District
The William Penn School District is a regional public school district located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It comprises eight elementary schools, one middle school, one alternative school, and one high school, based on two campuses. The district serves the boroughs of Aldan, Colwyn, Darby,...
serves Darby.
- Park Lane Elementary School (K-6)
- Walnut Street Elementary School (K-6)
- Penn Wood Middle School (7-8)
- Penn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High School is a high school that occupies two campuses in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, USA.-Organisation:Penn Wood High is managed by the William Penn School District. D. Brandon Cooley is the principal and is a super big fan of the philadelphia phillies...
, Cypress Street Campus (9-10) (Yeadon) - Penn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High SchoolPenn Wood High School is a high school that occupies two campuses in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, USA.-Organisation:Penn Wood High is managed by the William Penn School District. D. Brandon Cooley is the principal and is a super big fan of the philadelphia phillies...
, Green Ave Campus (11-12) (Lansdowne)
In addition to these public institutions, there is in Darby the school known as Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), a parochial school affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
Notable natives and residents
- Actress Monica HoranMonica HoranMonica Horan is an American actress from Darby, Pennsylvania.-Biography:Horan graduated from Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School for Girls in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania in 1980. She attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, graduating with a degree in Theater Performance in 1984...
is from Darby, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her role as Amy MacDougall on Everybody Loves RaymondEverybody Loves RaymondEverybody Loves Raymond is an American television sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 13, 1996, to May 16, 2005. Many of the situations from the show are based on the real-life experiences of lead actor Ray Romano, creator/producer Phil Rosenthal and the show's writing staff...
. - 19th Century House of Representative John James Pearson was born at or near Darby.
- Early American Botanist John Bartram, the father of the even more famous traveler and botanist William Bartram, was born in Darby. He was also buried in Darby at the Friends Cemetery at 13th and Main Street. His botanical garden exists nearby and is considered the oldest surviving botanical garden in the US.
- Entertainer W.C. Fields was born in Darby.
- Sports Broadcaster Chris WheelerChris WheelerChris Wheeler is an announcer and color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "Wheels", or alternatively "Muffin" , Wheeler has been broadcasting for the Phillies on TV and radio since 1977. In 1971, he entered the Phillies organization as Assistant Director...
. - John Patrick Cardinal Foley, former Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and former President of the Pontifical Council for Social CommunicationsPontifical Council for Social CommunicationsThe Pontifical Council for Social Communications is a dicastery of the Roman Curia...
, lives in retirement at the Villa St. Joseph in Darby, a home for retired, infirm, and convalescent priests of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of PhiladelphiaRoman Catholic Archdiocese of PhiladelphiaThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The diocese was...
. - George Basile, native, Ward MelvilleWard MelvilleJohn Ward Melville was an American philanthropist, and businessman, born to Frank Melville, Jr. Ward Melville attended college at Columbia University, where he was active in the Columbia Daily Spectator and the Philolexian Society. Following graduation in 1909, Melville joined his father's shoe...
senior high school varsity baseball player.