New Castle County, Delaware is the most populous county in the state, with an estimated population of 550,000 people. Located in the northern part of the state along the Delaware River and Atlantic Ocean, it is home to a diverse range of cultural and historical sites. According to dictionaryforall.com, the county has a rich history that dates back to 1638 when it was first settled by Dutch and Swedish settlers. It was later taken over by the British in 1664 and eventually became part of the United States in 1776. Today, New Castle County is known for its scenic beauty, vibrant culture and notable attractions such as Old New Castle Historic District, Fort Christina State Park, Wilmington Riverfront Park and Brandywine Zoo.
The area also boasts numerous historical landmarks including Hagley Museum & Library which highlights the history of duPont family’s gunpowder mills; Nemours Mansion & Gardens which is a stunning mansion designed by renowned architect Alfred I. duPont; Winterthur Museum & Gardens which features American decorative arts from 1640-1860; and Longwood Gardens which displays over 20 outdoor gardens on 1,077 acres of land. In addition to its historic sites, New Castle County also offers plenty of activities for visitors such as shopping at Christiana Mall, visiting Dover International Speedway or exploring nature at White Clay Creek State Park.
Notable people from New Castle County include former Vice President Joe Biden who was born in Scranton but moved to Wilmington when he was 10 years old; author Jack London who wrote many popular novels while living in Newark; artist Howard Pyle who established his own school for illustration at Chadds Ford; jazz musician Clifford Brown who grew up in Wilmington; musician George Thorogood who grew up in Wilmington; and actress Tatyana Ali who grew up in Newark.
Climate and weather in New Castle County, Delaware
According to mcat-test-centers.com, New Castle County, Delaware is located in the Northeastern United States and has a humid subtropical climate. The county experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from the mid-70s to the low-80s and cool winters with temperatures usually in the 30s and 40s. During the summer months, New Castle County can experience high humidity levels and occasional thunderstorms. In addition, tropical storms and hurricanes can occasionally affect the area during hurricane season from June to November.
Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year with an average of 45 inches annually. Snowfall also occurs in New Castle County during winter months, but accumulations are usually minimal since it is located near the coast. Average snowfall is around 10 inches per year with some years receiving more or less depending on weather patterns.
The county does experience extreme temperatures from time to time due to its location between two major bodies of water, but these events are rare. Additionally, New Castle County has a growing number of sunny days throughout the year due to its proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay which keeps temperatures relatively mild year-round.
Transportation in New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware offers residents and visitors many options for transportation. The county is served by several major highways, including Interstate 95, Interstate 295, Route 13, and Route 40. These highways provide access to Philadelphia to the north and Baltimore to the south. Additionally, the county is home to two toll roads: the Delaware Turnpike and the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
The county also has an extensive public transportation system operated by DART First State. This system includes buses that travel throughout New Castle County as well as express routes that connect Wilmington with Philadelphia and other cities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. DART also operates a light rail line that runs between Wilmington and Newark with stops in between at popular destinations such as Christiana Mall and Wilmington Station.
For those looking for alternate means of transportation, New Castle County also offers bike lanes throughout its major cities as well as bike-sharing programs through Zagster Bikes in Wilmington and Newark. Additionally, several companies offer ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft which make it easy to get around without a car.
New Castle County provides residents and visitors with plenty of options for getting around without relying on their own vehicles. Whether you prefer public transportation or biking around town, there are plenty of ways to get where you need to go in this vibrant region of Delaware.
Cities and towns in New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware is home to a variety of cities and towns. The county seat is the city of Wilmington, which is the largest city in Delaware with a population of over 70,000. As the business and cultural hub of the state, Wilmington boasts numerous museums and attractions such as the Delaware Art Museum, Nemours Mansion and Gardens, and the Riverfront Market. See top 3 cities in Delaware.
The second largest city in New Castle County is Newark. This vibrant college town offers plenty of activities for students and non-students alike with its many restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and live music venues. Newark also has a bustling downtown area full of shops and cafes as well as several parks for outdoor recreation.
The other cities in New Castle County are Bear, Elsmere, Middletown, New Castle, Newport, Odessa, Townsend and Wilmington Manor. These smaller cities offer plenty of charm with their quaint shops and eateries as well as beautiful parks for outdoor recreation.
In addition to its cities and towns, New Castle County also has numerous unincorporated areas such as Claymont Heights, Red Lion Estates, Fairview Farm Estates and Summit Park Estates. These areas are great places to find peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities while still being close enough to enjoy all that New Castle County has to offer.
New Castle County provides residents with plenty of options when it comes to finding a place to call home or just visiting for a day out on the town. With its diverse array of cities and towns – each offering something unique – this county is sure to have something for everyone.