Delaware County, situated in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania and neighboring Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, and New Castle counties, is a key part of the Delaware Valley. According to the 2020 census, it is home to approximately 576,000 residents. The county’s largest city and county seat is Media. Its name is derived from the Delaware River, which defines its eastern boundary.
Known for its cultural diversity, historical significance, and contributions to innovation and technology, Delaware County is a dynamic region. However, it also grapples with significant socioeconomic disparities across its neighborhoods. These disparities manifest in areas such as income, poverty, unemployment, and education levels. Several communities face substantial challenges, including limited access to healthcare and social services.
This article delves into five of the most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Delaware County, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) spanning from 2017 to 2021. The following metrics are used to gauge poverty in these areas:
1. Chester
Chester is a city located in the southern part of Delaware County, in proximity to Upland and Eddystone. Its population is predominantly Black, but it also includes residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds such as Whites, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. However, Chester faces significant socioeconomic challenges, including:
- A median household income of $30,000, which is 62% lower than the county median and 67% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 35%, which is more than three times higher than the county’s rate and twice as high as the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 13%, surpassing both the county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 77%, signifying that roughly three-fourths of the adult population have completed high school or higher education.
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2. Darby
Located in southeastern Delaware County, near Collingdale and Sharon Hill, Darby is a borough with a diverse population encompassing Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. Despite its diversity, Darby faces significant socioeconomic challenges:
- A median household income of $36,000, which is 54% lower than the county median and 60% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 28%, more than twice the county rate and double the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 11%, exceeding both the county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 82%, indicating that approximately four-fifths of the adult population have completed high school or achieved higher education.
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3. Yeadon
Yeadon is a borough in southeastern Delaware County, neighboring Lansdowne and Darby. The community is predominantly Black, with additional ethnic diversity. Yeadon faces significant socioeconomic challenges, including:
- A median household income of $46,000, which is 41% lower than the county median and 51% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 21%, more than twice the county rate and 1.5 times the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 9%, exceeding both the county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 87%, indicating that approximately four-fifths of the adult population have completed high school or higher education.
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4. Collingdale
Collingdale is a borough located in southeastern Delaware County, near Darby and Folcroft, with a diverse population that includes Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. Despite its diversity, Collingdale faces significant socioeconomic challenges:
- A median household income of $47,000, which is 40% lower than the county median and 50% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 20%, more than twice the county rate and 1.5 times the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 8%, exceeding both the county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 86%, indicating that approximately four-fifths of the adult population have completed high school or higher education.
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5. Lansdowne
Lansdowne is a borough located in southeastern Delaware County, near Yeadon and Upper Darby. With a diverse population comprising Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, Lansdowne faces significant socioeconomic challenges:
- A median household income of $49,000, which is 37% lower than the county median and 48% lower than the national median.
- A poverty rate of 19%, more than twice the county rate and 1.5 times the national rate.
- An unemployment rate of 7%, exceeding both the county and national averages.
- An educational attainment rate of 90%, indicating that approximately nine-tenths of the adult population have completed high school or higher education.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, is a vibrant county within the Delaware Valley known for its diversity and cultural significance. Nevertheless, it grapples with pronounced disparities in income, poverty, unemployment, and education across its neighborhoods.
Five of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Delaware County—Chester, Darby, Yeadon, Collingdale, and Lansdowne—encounter multifaceted challenges, including low income, high poverty rates, elevated unemployment rates, limited access to education, and healthcare resources.
Addressing these challenges necessitates concerted efforts from various stakeholders to enhance the well-being and quality of life of these communities’ residents.