Middletown, Delaware
Encyclopedia
Middletown is a town in New Castle County
, Delaware
, United States
. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the town is 18,871.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.
of 2000, there were 6,161 people, 2,298 households, and 1,631 families residing in the town. The population density
was 962.4 people per square mile (371.7/km²). There were 2,514 housing units at an average density of 392.7 per square mile (151.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.42% White, 1.30% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.93% from other races
, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.29% of the population.
There were 2,298 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples
living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,663, and the median income for a family was $47,270. Males had a median income of $35,688 versus $30,044 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,517. About 8.8% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
, Wilmington
, Philadelphia, New Jersey
, and New York City
.
Middletown's commerce has grown accordingly. National retail and food chain store
s have opened locations in the area, with significant growth along the U.S. 301 corridor. This growth is more characteristic of suburban sprawl, a stark difference from Middletown's historic growth patterns.
The recent population increase has caused constant congestion throughout the town's infrastructure and headaches for many of the town's residents. Overcrowding at Middletown High School, which was over-capacity by 400 students during the 2005-2006 school year, resulted in the construction of a second high school, Appoquinimink High School, which opened in Fall 2008.
for Delaware Route 299
. Delaware 299 also serves as Middletown's Main Street. U.S. Route 301
is just west of Middletown, serving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
to the southwest and the Summit Bridge
to the north. Delaware Route 15
, a rural road, is concurrent with U.S. 301 at Middletown, allowing access to Dover
and Smyrna
.
DART First State
has two commuter bus stops in Middletown.
A railroad operated by Norfolk Southern Railway
runs through the center of Middletown. Amtrak
makes stops only during the Delaware State Fair
.
Summit Airport
is just to the north of the town. The airport offers private flights.
, they have recently built a new elementary school to accommodate the population growth of the area and overcrowding at the other elementary schools.
A K-8 charter school (MOT Charter School), a vocational School( St. Georges Technical High School
, and several private schools, including the boarding high school St. Andrew's, are within the town's limits.
Wilmington University
is also within the town.
Middletown hosts the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon, an annual Labor Day event that benefits local charities.
It also hosts an annual Hummers parade. The parade's name is a spoof of the nearby Philadelphia Mummers parade
. As opposed to the Mummers, which is judged seriously, the Hummers dress up and make fun of all the popular news headlines, political, celebrity, and local happenings of the year.
Middletown Life Magazine is a seasonal publication dedicated to the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend area.
starring Robin Williams
was filmed almost entirely on the school grounds at St. Andrew's School. The theatre scene was filmed at The Everett Theatre on Main Street.
The episode of The West Wing
entitled Two Cathedrals
(#44) was partly filmed at St. Andrew's School. Trevor Eddy, a student at that time, scored a speaking part as Young Bartlet's Friend and gave a riveting performance.
Watermelon Crawl was filmed in June 2007 in Middletown and Townsend. It is in post-production.
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...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the town is 18,871.
Geography
Middletown is located at 39°27′16"N 75°42′50"W (39.454352, -75.713816) with an elevation of 69 feet (21 m).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 town has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.
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 6,161 people, 2,298 households, and 1,631 families residing in the town. 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 962.4 people per square mile (371.7/km²). There were 2,514 housing units at an average density of 392.7 per square mile (151.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.42% White, 1.30% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.93% 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 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.29% of the population.
There were 2,298 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% 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, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,663, and the median income for a family was $47,270. Males had a median income of $35,688 versus $30,044 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 town was $18,517. About 8.8% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.
Growth
Recent annexations of land have stimulated Middletown's growth: it is known as the fastest growing area in Delaware. Between 2000 and 2010, the population of the town grew 206.3%. Many affluent housing developments surround the town's center. Current town growth town is a result of these such developments, which primarily attract high-income families relocating from BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, Philadelphia, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Middletown's commerce has grown accordingly. National retail and food chain store
Chain store
Chain stores are retail outlets that share a brand and central management, and usually have standardized business methods and practices. These characteristics also apply to chain restaurants and some service-oriented chain businesses. In retail, dining and many service categories, chain businesses...
s have opened locations in the area, with significant growth along the U.S. 301 corridor. This growth is more characteristic of suburban sprawl, a stark difference from Middletown's historic growth patterns.
The recent population increase has caused constant congestion throughout the town's infrastructure and headaches for many of the town's residents. Overcrowding at Middletown High School, which was over-capacity by 400 students during the 2005-2006 school year, resulted in the construction of a second high school, Appoquinimink High School, which opened in Fall 2008.
Transportation
Limited-access highway Delaware Route 1 is east of Middletown, and the town has a signed exit at OdessaOdessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
for Delaware Route 299
Delaware Route 299
Delaware Route 299 is a state highway in New Castle County, Delaware. It runs from Maryland Route 282 at the Maryland border east of Warwick, Maryland to DE 9 in Mathews Corner, passing through Middletown and Odessa. It overlaps US 301 from just east of the Maryland border to the west end of...
. Delaware 299 also serves as Middletown's Main Street. U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301
U.S. Route 301 is a spur of U.S. Route 1 running through the South Atlantic States. It currently runs 1,099 miles from Glasgow, Delaware at U.S. Route 40 to Sarasota, Florida. It passes through the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida...
is just west of Middletown, serving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and, at the time, with a length of , it was the world's longest...
to the southwest and the Summit Bridge
Summit Bridge
The Summit Bridge carries U.S. Route 301 and Delaware Routes 71 and 896 across the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, connecting Newark, Delaware with Dover, Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge . The bridge also carries Delaware Bicycle Route 1, a bicycle route that spans the length of the state of...
to the north. Delaware Route 15
Delaware Route 15
Delaware Route 15 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Delaware. The route runs from Delaware Route 14 west of Milford in Kent County to U.S. Route 301 and Delaware Routes 71 and 896 in Summit, New Castle County, just south of Summit Bridge. Delaware Route 15 winds a path through many rural...
, a rural road, is concurrent with U.S. 301 at Middletown, allowing access to Dover
Dover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
and Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
.
DART First State
DART First State
The Delaware Transit Corporation, trading as DART First State is the primary public transportation system that operates throughout Delaware, USA...
has two commuter bus stops in Middletown.
A railroad operated by Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
runs through the center of Middletown. Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
makes stops only during the Delaware State Fair
Delaware State Fair
The Delaware State Fair is the annual state fair for the state of Delaware. It is held in Harrington. The fair is a ten-day event at the end of July.-History:...
.
Summit Airport
Summit Airport (Delaware)
Summit Airport is a public-use airport located five miles north of the central business district of Middletown, in New Castle County, Delaware, United States...
is just to the north of the town. The airport offers private flights.
Education
Public education in Middletown is provided by the Appoquinimink School DistrictAppoquinimink School District
The Appoquinimink School District is a public school district in southern New Castle County, Delaware. The district office is located in the Odessa Park Building, 223 South Fifth Street, in Odessa, Delaware, with John L. Burrows as the current superintendent. Former superintendent Tony Marchio...
, they have recently built a new elementary school to accommodate the population growth of the area and overcrowding at the other elementary schools.
A K-8 charter school (MOT Charter School), a vocational School( St. Georges Technical High School
St. Georges Technical High School
St. Georges Technical High School is a vocational-technical high school in Middletown, Delaware and is the newest of four high schools within the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, which includes Delcastle Technical High School in Newport, Howard High School of Technology in...
, and several private schools, including the boarding high school St. Andrew's, are within the town's limits.
Wilmington University
Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private educational institution, with its main campus located in New Castle near Wilmington, Delaware. It was founded in 1968 as Wilmington College and was granted university status on September 10, 2007, after approval by the Board of Trustees and the Middle States...
is also within the town.
Events
Middletown is home to the Olde Tyme Peach Festival, an annual tradition that attracts thousands of visitors each August.Middletown hosts the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon, an annual Labor Day event that benefits local charities.
It also hosts an annual Hummers parade. The parade's name is a spoof of the nearby Philadelphia Mummers parade
Mummers Parade
The Mummers Parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Local clubs compete in one of four categories . They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete...
. As opposed to the Mummers, which is judged seriously, the Hummers dress up and make fun of all the popular news headlines, political, celebrity, and local happenings of the year.
Media
The Middletown Transcript is the main publication for the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend area. The first edition was printed on Jan. 4, 1868. This community newspaper is published every Thursday.Middletown Life Magazine is a seasonal publication dedicated to the Middletown, Odessa and Townsend area.
Film appearances
The 1989 film Dead Poets SocietyDead Poets Society
Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams. Set at the conservative and aristocratic Welton Academy in Vermont in 1959, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry.The script was written...
starring Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
was filmed almost entirely on the school grounds at St. Andrew's School. The theatre scene was filmed at The Everett Theatre on Main Street.
The episode of The West Wing
The West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
entitled Two Cathedrals
Two Cathedrals
"Two Cathedrals" is the 44th episode, and second season finale of The West Wing.-Synopsis:President Bartlet is beset by memories of Mrs. Landingham as her funeral approaches. Meanwhile, the staff deals with a crisis in Haiti and questions from congressional Democrats regarding the President's...
(#44) was partly filmed at St. Andrew's School. Trevor Eddy, a student at that time, scored a speaking part as Young Bartlet's Friend and gave a riveting performance.
Watermelon Crawl was filmed in June 2007 in Middletown and Townsend. It is in post-production.
Notable natives and residents
- Ashlee GreenwellAshlee GreenwellAshlee Greenwell is a beauty queen from Middletown, Delaware who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Greenwell won the Miss Delaware USA 2006 title in a state pageant held in late 2005. This was her first attempt at the Miss title, however she placed 2nd runner-up in the Miss Delaware Teen USA...
, Miss Delaware USAMiss Delaware USAThe Miss Delaware USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Delaware in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant is directed by D&D Investments....
2006 - Rebecca BledsoeRebecca BledsoeRebecca Bledsoe is a former beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Delaware 2005 and ranked as a Non-Finalist Talent Award winner at the Miss America 2006 pageant. Bledsoe attended Middletown High School in Middletown, Delaware and is a 2004 graduate of the University of Delaware with a...
, Miss DelawareMiss DelawareThe Miss Delaware competition is the pageant that selects the representative of Delaware in the Miss America pageant. The event takes place annually in the month of June and is currently held in the state capital of Dover, Delaware at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino...
2005, a 2000 graduate of Middletown High School - Reggie LeachReggie LeachReginald Joseph Leach is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings. He is best known for his time in Philadelphia, winning a Stanley Cup with...
, former Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
forward - Dwayne HenryDwayne HenryDwayne Allen Henry is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers...
, former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher - Silas SimmonsSilas SimmonsSilas Joseph "Si" Simmons was an American semi-professional and professional baseball player for African-American teams in the pre-Negro League era, and became the longest-lived professional baseball player in history. The previous record was held by Chet Hoff, who died at age 107 in...
, longest-lived professional baseball player in history - Tom VerlaineTom VerlaineTom Verlaine is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the frontman for the New York rock band Television.-Biography:...
, guitarist and singer for 1970s art punkArt punkArt punk or avant punk refers to punk rock of an experimental bent, or with connections to art school, the art world, or the avant garde....
group TelevisionTelevision (band)Television was an American rock band, formed in New York City in 1973. They are best known for the album Marquee Moon and widely regarded as one of the founders of "punk" and New Wave music. Television was part of the early 1970s New York underground rock scene, along with bands like the Patti...
, attended St. Andrew's School - Loudon Wainwright IIILoudon Wainwright IIILoudon Snowden Wainwright III is a Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, folk singer, humorist, and actor. He is the father of musicians Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche, brother of Sloan Wainwright, and the former husband of the late folk singer Kate McGarrigle.To...
, folk singer, attended St. Andrew's School