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Cheswold, Delaware
Town
Location of Cheswold in Kent County, Delaware
CheswoldLocation of Cheswold in DelawareShow map of DelawareCheswoldCheswold (the United States)Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°13′09″N 75°35′09″W / 39.21917°N 75.58583°W / 39.21917; -75.58583
Country	United States
State	Delaware
County	Kent
Government
• Type	Council-manager
• Mayor	Santo Faronea
• Vice Mayor	Max A. Amoako
Area
• Total	1.84 sq mi (4.76 km)
• Land	1.84 sq mi (4.76 km)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km)
Elevation	36 ft (11 m)
Population
• Total	1,923
• Density	1,046.25/sq mi (404.00/km)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	19936
Area code	302
FIPS code	10-14660
GNIS feature ID	213795
Website	cheswold.delaware.gov

Cheswold is a town in Kent County in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is part of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,923 in 2020.

History

The town was incorporated in 1856 following the construction of the Delaware Railroad. When the town was founded, the population consisted of Lenape, blacks, and whites, who were mainly Dutch and referred to as Moors. The town was home to a railroad station called Leipsic Station, named for the nearby town of Leipsic. The community became a shipping point for grain and fruit that was grown in the area. By 1860, the town had 35 homes, three general stores, a wheelwright, a brickyard, and a grain warehouse.

Prior to 1888, Cheswold was called Moorton after landowner James S. Moore. The town was also known as Leipsic Station after the railroad station. In 1888, a contest was held to rename the town, and Cheswold was chosen. Cheswold is a combination of "chess", from a large group of chestnut trees, and "wold", which stands for forest of trees.

Cheswold is the birthplace J. Caleb Boggs, who served as Governor of Delaware, three terms as U.S. Representative, and two terms as U.S. Senator. The town was home to the Cheswold Tigers, a minor league baseball team that existed from 1950 to 1960 and was known for a winning record. In the 21st century, Cheswold faced a period of financial issues but has seen its economy improve.

Geography

Cheswold is located at 39°13′09″N 75°35′09″W / 39.21917°N 75.58583°W / 39.21917; -75.58583 (39.2192786, –75.5857596).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km), all land.

The Old Town area of Cheswold is located at the intersection of Main Street (Delaware Route 42) and Commerce Street west of the Delmarva Central Railroad tracks and serves as the oldest settled part of the town. Cheswold is made up of several residential communities, including Parkers Run, Strimmels Mobile Home Park, Fox Pointe Mobile Home Park, Blanton Mobile Home Park, Stonington, and Nobles Pond.

Cheswold has a post office for P.O. boxes with a ZIP code of 19936. However, the delivery of mail in Cheswold is handled by the Dover post office with a ZIP code of 19904. The Cheswold name may be used for mail delivered to addresses in town with the 19904 ZIP code.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cheswold has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 313 people, 116 households, and 80 families residing in the town. The population density was 729.8 inhabitants per square mile (281.8/km). There were 122 housing units at an average density of 284.5 units per square mile (109.8 units/km). The racial makeup of the town was 71.57% White, 12.14% African American, 5.11% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 6.39% from other races, and 4.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.86% of the population.

There were 116 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,750, and the median income for a family was $32,045. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,588. About 18.8% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.7% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Cheswold has a council-manager system of government with a six-person Town Council, which consists of a mayor and vice mayor among the council members. Elections for the council are held every year, with three council seats up for election for two-year terms. After elections, the Town Council selects a Mayor, who then selects a Vice Mayor and Secretary/Treasurer. The Town Council holds meetings once a month. As of 2023, the Mayor is Santo Faronea, the Vice Mayor is Max A. Amoako, and the Secretary/Treasurer is Theon (Sam) Callender, while the remaining members of Town Council are Judith Johnson, Mark Moxley, and Robin Ridgway. The town government also consists of a Planning Commission, Town Administrator, Town Clerk, Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, and Maintenance Technician.

Police services in Cheswold is provided by the Cheswold Police Department. The Town of Cheswold Police Department is currently under the direction of Chief Christopher Workman and has four(4) full time officers. Cheswold officers currently patrol the Town of Cheswold at seven(7) days a week with some special duty patrols at various times of the day. The Delaware State Police cover the Town when Cheswold Officers are off duty. Fire protection in Cheswold is provided by the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company-Station 43.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 13 runs north–south through the eastern part of Cheswold, heading north to Smyrna and Wilmington and south to Dover. Delaware Route 42 serves as the main east–west road through Cheswold, heading west to Kenton and east to Leipsic. The Delaware Route 1 toll road passes east of Cheswold but the nearest interchange is in Dover. DART First State provides bus service to Cheswold along Route 120, which heads south to Dover to connect to local bus routes serving the Dover area and north to Smyrna. The Delmarva Central Railroad's Delmarva Subdivision line passes north–south through Cheswold. Delaware Airpark, a general aviation airport, is located outside of Cheswold.

Utilities

Water and sewer service in Cheswold is provided by Middlesex Water Company. Electricity in Cheswold is provided by Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon. Natural gas service to Cheswold is provided by Chesapeake Utilities. Trash and recycling in the town is provided by Republic Services, Waste Industries, Waste Management, and Burns and McBride. Cable and internet in Cheswold is provided by DirecTV, Xfinity, Dish Network, and Verizon.

Education

Cheswold is in the Capital School District. Dover High School is the comprehensive high school of the district.

Notable people

• J. Caleb Boggs, politician who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware from 1947 to 1953, 62nd Governor of Delaware from 1953 to 1960, and U.S. Senator from Delaware from 1961 to 1973

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cheswold, Delaware
3. "The Delaware Census State Data Center". Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
4. ^ "Welcome to Cheswold" (PDF). Town of Cheswold. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
5. Federal Writers' Project (1938). The ocean highway: New Brunswick, New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida. American Guide Series. New York: Modern Age Books. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. "Climate Statistics for Cheswold, Delaware". Retrieved June 19, 2017.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
10. "Home". Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
11. Delaware Department of Transportation (2017). Official Travel & Transportation Map (PDF) (Map). Dover: Delaware Department of Transportation.
12. "Kent County Bus System Guide" (PDF). DART First State. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
13. "Delmarva Central Railroad". Carload Express. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
14. "Delaware Airpark (33N)". Delaware River and Bay Authority. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kent County, DE" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2021.

External links

• Official Town Website

v t e Municipalities and communities of Kent County, Delaware, United States
County seat: Dover
Cities	Dover Harrington Milford‡
Towns	Bowers Camden Cheswold Clayton‡ Farmington Felton Frederica Hartly Houston Kenton Leipsic Little Creek Magnolia Smyrna‡ Viola Woodside Wyoming
CDPs	Dover Base Housing Highland Acres Kent Acres Rising Sun-Lebanon Riverview Rodney Village Woodside East
Unincorporated communities	Adamsville‡ Andrewville Berrytown Big Stone Beach Bishops Corner Blackiston Brownsville Canterbury Carpenters Bridge Chapeltown Cowgills Corner Dinahs Corner Downs Chapel Dutch Neck Crossroads Hazlettville Hickman Hollandsville Kitts Hummock Little Heaven Little Hell Marydel Mastens Corner Moores Corner Pearsons Corner Petersburg Pickering Beach Port Mahon Sandtown Seven Hickories Smyrna Landing‡ South Bowers Star Hill Thompsonville Vernon Whiteleysburg Williamsville Willow Grove Woodland Beach Wrights Crossroads
Hundreds	Duck Creek East Dover Kenton Little Creek Milford Mispillion North Murderkill South Murderkill West Dover
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Delaware portal United States portal

• Towns in Kent County, Delaware
• Towns in Delaware