Wilmington, Delaware (original) (raw)

Wilmington is a city located in New Castle County, Delaware. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 72,664. It is the county seat of New Castle County 1.

This city is an anchor city for the Delaware Valley metropolitan area.

Geography

Wilmington is located at 39°44'55" North, 75°33'6" West (39.748563, -75.551581)2. The city is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.1 km² (17.0 mi²). 28.1 km² (10.9 mi²) of it is land and 16.0 km² (6.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 36.25% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 72,664 people, 28,617 households, and 15,882 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,585.8/km² (6,698.1/mi²). There are 32,138 housing units at an average density of 1,143.6/km² (2,962.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 35.52% White, 56.43% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 5.16% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. 9.84% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 28,617 households out of which 27.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.6% are married couples living together, 23.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% are non-families. 37.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 3.19.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is 35,116,andthemedianincomeforafamilyis35,116, and the median income for a family is 35,116,andthemedianincomeforafamilyis40,241. Males have a median income of 34,360versus34,360 versus 34,360versus29,895 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,236. 21.3% of the population and 16.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 30.4% are under the age of 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older.

Notes

As a result of the business laws of Delaware, Wilmington has become an international financial center for the credit card industry. Many major credit card issuers, including MBNA Corporation, Bank One, and Juniper Bank, are headquartered in Wilmington.

Wilmington became the first city in the U.S. to have its entire downtown area under surveillance: some $800,000 worth of video cameras (some bought with public money, some by downtown businesses) have the exteriors of all the buildings in view, and the technicians who monitor them dispatch the city's police to the scene of any crime or suspicious activity they see, while it is still happening.

Wilmington is served by the Wilmington Rail Station.