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As of 2000, the population of Delaware County was 550,864, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties. Delaware County was created on September 26, 1789 from part of Chester County and named for the Delaware River. Its county seat, since 1851, is Media[1]. Chester City, prior to 1851, was the county seat of both Delaware County and, before that, of Chester County. Socioeconomically, Delaware County runs the gamut from economically depressed and working class communities such as the City of Chester and the Borough of Darby to the posh suburban neighborhoods of Radnor Township and Villanova located along the wealthy Main Line to the north. 2,600 acres (11 km²) of the county are occupied by the Ridley Creek State Park. The county, located just west of Philadelphia, is part of the Delaware Valley area. Delaware County is the only county that consists entirely of the area code 610 Several colleges have campuses in Delaware County. However, Widener University, Villanova University, Haverford College and Swarthmore College are among those that were originally established in the county. There are 17 public school districts and many private schools in Delaware County. |
