Wilmington, Delaware History, Economy and Politics
Wilmington, Delaware is the largest city in the state and located along the Christina River and Brandywine Creek. It is situated in the northern part of the state, just east of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The city covers an area of 22 square miles and has a population of approximately 72,000 people. Visit Behealthybytomorrow to learn about Kent County, Delaware.
Wilmington is a diverse city with a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. Downtown Wilmington is home to many corporate headquarters, government offices, restaurants, entertainment venues and shops. The city also has several historic districts including Old Town which dates back to colonial times.
The geography of Wilmington can be divided into three parts: the downtown area, the riverfront area and suburban neighborhoods on the outskirts of town. Downtown Wilmington consists mostly of high-rise buildings with some lower-rise structures scattered throughout. This area includes many corporate headquarters as well as government offices and other businesses such as banks and restaurants.
The riverfront area is located along both sides of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek and includes parks such as Rockford Park as well as residential neighborhoods like Trolley Square. This area also features several museums including Delaware Art Museum and Delaware History Museum which are popular tourist attractions in Wilmington.
Lastly, suburban neighborhoods are located on the outskirts of Wilmington in areas such as Talleyville, Fairfax or Pike Creek Valley. These neighborhoods feature single-family homes in a variety of architectural styles from Colonial to modern designs with many featuring large yards or wooded lots for more privacy.
Overall, Wilmington’s geography offers something for everyone from busy downtown areas to quiet suburban neighborhoods surrounded by nature trails or parks for outdoor activities like biking or walking trails. The mix of urban areas with residential neighborhoods makes it easy for residents to find whatever type of lifestyle they desire within close proximity to one another.
History of Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware is a city steeped in history with roots dating back to 1638 when Swedish explorer Peter Minuit purchased the land from the local Native American tribes and established the first European settlement. In 1731, Wilmington was officially incorporated as a city and quickly became an important port city due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek. By 1777, Wilmington served as an important supply depot for George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
During the 19th century, Wilmington emerged as an industrial center with numerous manufacturing plants and factories. The city also became a major transportation hub with the opening of several railroads in 1837 that linked it to New York City and Philadelphia. In addition, Wilmington was home to several prominent businesses including DuPont which opened its first gunpowder mill there in 1802.
In 1921, Governor John G. Townsend signed legislation authorizing construction of Delaware’s first bridge across the Christina River which connected Wilmington to nearby New Castle County. This bridge was later replaced by a modern span known as I-495 which opened in 1963 and serves as one of the main routes into downtown Wilmington today.
Throughout much of its history, Wilmington has been home to a diverse population including African Americans who were brought there by slave traders during colonial times and many Irish immigrants who arrived during the 19th century looking for work in factories or on railroads. Today, Wilmington remains a diverse city with many different ethnic groups living side by side in its neighborhoods and business districts.
Wilmington is also known for its cultural attractions including museums such as Delaware Art Museum and Delaware History Museum which are popular tourist attractions in town; live theater venues like The Playhouse on Rodney Square; performing arts centers such as Grand Opera House; art galleries like The Delaware Contemporary; parks like Rockford Park; historical sites like Fort Christina; shopping districts such as Trolley Square; corporate headquarters including Bank of America; government offices like City Hall; entertainment venues such as The Queen Theater; restaurants ranging from fine dining establishments to casual eateries; plus much more!
Economy of Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware, is an economic powerhouse. Located along the Christina River and just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington serves as a major port city and transportation hub. The city is home to numerous corporate headquarters, including Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase. In addition, Wilmington is a center for manufacturing, retail trade, transportation and logistics, health care and social assistance services.
The city boasts one of the most vibrant economies in the region and has been recognized as one of the top 10 cities for job growth in 2017 by Forbes Magazine. The unemployment rate in Wilmington is lower than both state and national averages at 3.8 percent in 2017 compared to 4.2 percent for Delaware and 4.4 percent for the United States overall.
The largest industry sectors for employment are government (21%), education (13%), health care (11%), professional services (9%), finance (8%) and retail trade (7%). Major employers in Wilmington include Christiana Care Health System, Delaware State University, JPMorgan Chase Bank NA., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Bank of America NA., Amazon Fulfillment Services Inc., University of Delaware, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP., Walgreens Co., TD Bank NA., PNC Financial Services Group Inc., New Castle County Government and Christiana Care Health System’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.
Wilmington’s economy also benefits from its proximity to Philadelphia – just a short train ride away – which provides access to additional resources such as research institutions like Drexel University or Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; tech companies like Comcast; financial institutions such as Wells Fargo; museums like The Franklin Institute; sports venues such as Citizens Bank Park; performing arts centers like The Kimmel Center; shopping districts like Rittenhouse Square; restaurants ranging from casual eateries to fine dining establishments; plus much more!
Politics in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware is the largest city in the state and home to a diverse population of over 71,000 people. The city is governed by a mayor-council form of government with an elected mayor and 13-member city council. The city council is responsible for setting policy, passing ordinances, and approving the annual budget. The current mayor of Wilmington is Mike Purzycki who was first elected in 2016.
The political landscape in Wilmington is largely Democratic. All members of the city council are Democrats as well as all members of the state legislature representing Wilmington districts. In addition, all three members of Congress who represent Delaware are Democrats: Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).
Wilmington has historically been an economically disadvantaged community; however, it has seen considerable economic growth in recent years due to investments from large corporations such as JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America who have established corporate headquarters in the city. Despite this growth, there remains a significant level of poverty within Wilmington with approximately one third of its population living below the poverty line according to recent census data.
In response to these challenges, local politicians have worked to create initiatives that will help reduce poverty and create opportunities for citizens to access higher education or job training programs that can lead to long-term success. These initiatives include providing free bus passes for students attending local colleges and universities; creating job training programs; investing in infrastructure projects such as parks or sidewalks; supporting small business growth through tax incentives or grants; and increasing access to affordable housing options for low-income families.
Overall, Wilmington’s political landscape reflects a commitment to helping its most vulnerable residents while also promoting economic development that will benefit all citizens regardless of their socio-economic status or background. Through initiatives like those mentioned above, local politicians are working hard to ensure that every citizen can take advantage of all that Wilmington has to offer while also ensuring a bright future for generations ahead.
