Editing Cheswold, Delaware

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Cheswold, Delaware
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = CheswoldDEseal.png
| image_map          = File:Kent County Delaware Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cheswold Highlighted 1014660.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Cheswold in [[Kent County, Delaware]]
| pushpin_map        = Delaware#USA
| pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_label      = Cheswold
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Cheswold in [[Delaware]]
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Delaware}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Delaware|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council-manager]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Santo Faronea
| leader_title1      = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1       = Max A. Amoako
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 

<!-- Area -->
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_10.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 4.76
| area_land_km2      = 4.76
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.84
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.84
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 1923
| population_density_km2 = 404.00
| population_density_sq_mi = 1046.25
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 36
| coordinates        = {{coord|39|13|09|N|75|35|09|W|region:US-DE_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 19936
| area_code          = [[Area code 302|302]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 10-14660
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 213795<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213795}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://cheswold.delaware.gov/}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
}}

'''Cheswold''' is a town in [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Delaware]]. It is part of the [[Dover metropolitan area]]. The population was 1,923 in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stateplanning.delaware.gov/census_data_center/ |title=The Delaware Census State Data Center |access-date=January 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231141632/http://stateplanning.delaware.gov/census_data_center/ |archive-date=December 31, 2016 }}</ref>

==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; the latter were mainly of [[Dutch people|Dutch]] descent. Given intermarriage among the workers over time, some residents were multi-racial people. They were referred to as Cheswold Moors.<ref name="fitzgerald">{{cite journal| last= Fitzgerald |first=Neil |title= Delaware's Forgotten Minority - The Moors |journal= Delaware Today |date= January 1972 |page= 10}}</ref> The town was home to a railroad station called Leipsic Station, named for the nearby town of [[Leipsic, Delaware|Leipsic]], and the ancestral German city of [[Leipzig]] of some colonists. 

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.<ref name=welcome/>

Prior to 1888, Cheswold was called Moorton after landowner James S. Moore.<ref name=welcome/> This also referred to the informal name for the mutiracial residents.<ref name="fitzgerald"/><ref name=fwp>{{cite book |author=Federal Writers' Project |author-link=Federal Writers' Project |title=The ocean highway: New Brunswick, New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida|url=https://archive.org/stream/oceanhighwaynewb00federich/oceanhighwaynewb00federich_djvu.txt |access-date=April 10, 2009 | year=1938 |publisher=Modern Age Books |location=[[New York City|New York]]|series=American Guide Series}}</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2025}} 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 tree]]s, and "wold", which stands for forest of trees.<ref name=welcome/>

Cheswold is the birthplace of politician [[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. It was known for a winning record. In the 21st century, Cheswold faced a period of financial issues but has seen its economy improve.<ref name=welcome/>

==Geography==
Cheswold is located at {{coord|39|13|09|N|75|35|09|W|type:city}} (39.2192786, –75.5857596).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|0.4|sqmi|km2}}, 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. It is the oldest existing 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.<ref name=welcome/>

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, Delaware|Dover]] post office associated with ZIP code 19904. The Cheswold name may be used for mail delivered to addresses in town with the 19904 ZIP code.<ref name=welcome/>

===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.

{{Weather box 
|width = auto
|location = Cheswold, Delaware
|single line = yes
|Jan record high F = 76
|Feb record high F = 77
|Mar record high F = 86
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 85
|Dec record high F = 75
|year record high F= 102
|Jan high F = 43
|Feb high F = 47
|Mar high F = 55
|Apr high F = 66
|May high F = 75
|Jun high F = 83
|Jul high F = 87
|Aug high F = 85
|Sep high F = 79
|Oct high F = 69
|Nov high F = 59
|Dec high F = 47
|year high F=
|Jan low F = 27
|Feb low F = 29
|Mar low F = 36
|Apr low F = 44
|May low F = 54
|Jun low F = 63
|Jul low F = 69
|Aug low F = 67
|Sep low F = 60
|Oct low F = 49
|Nov low F = 40
|Dec low F = 31
|year low F=
|Jan record low F = −5
|Feb record low F = −1
|Mar record low F = 8
|Apr record low F = 17
|May record low F = 34
|Jun record low F = 43
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 45
|Sep record low F = 38
|Oct record low F = 25
|Nov record low F = 16
|Dec record low F = 1
|year record low F= −5
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.18
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.31
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.88
|May precipitation inch = 4.25
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.00
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.09
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.36
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.13
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.42
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.48
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.65
|year precipitation inch= 
|source = The Weather Channel<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/USDE0006:1:US
|title = Climate Statistics for Cheswold, Delaware
|access-date = June 19, 2017}}</ref>
|date=June 2017}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 129
|1900= 201
|1910= 223
|1920= 287
|1930= 211
|1940= 232
|1950= 292
|1960= 281
|1970= 286
|1980= 269
|1990= 321
|2000= 313
|2010= 1380
|2020= 1923
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 313 people, 116 households, and 80 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|729.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 122 housing units at an average density of {{convert|284.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 71.57% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 12.14% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 5.11% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.32% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 6.39% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.47% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.<ref name=welcome>{{cite web|title=Welcome to Cheswold|publisher=Town of Cheswold|url=http://cheswold.delaware.gov/files/2017/06/Welcome-to-Town-of-Cheswold-2.pdf|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Home|publisher=Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company|url=http://cheswoldvfc.com|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:2022-07-16 13 18 21 View south along U.S. Route 13 (DuPont Boulevard) at Delaware State Route 42 (Fast Landing Road-Main Street) in Cheswold, Kent County, Delaware.jpg|thumb|right|US 13 southbound in Cheswold]]
[[U.S. Route 13 in Delaware|U.S. Route 13]] runs north–south through the eastern part of Cheswold, heading north to [[Smyrna, Delaware|Smyrna]] and [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]] and south to [[Dover, Delaware|Dover]]. [[Delaware Route 42]] serves as the main east–west road through Cheswold, heading west to [[Kenton, Delaware|Kenton]] and east to [[Leipsic, Delaware|Leipsic]]. The [[Delaware Route 1]] toll road passes east of Cheswold but the nearest interchange is in Dover.<ref name="DE 2017 map">{{Delaware road map|year=2017}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kent County Bus System Guide|publisher=DART First State|url=http://www.dartfirststate.com/information/routes/pdfs/summer/rt999.pdf?date=1497491172018|access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref> The [[Delmarva Central Railroad]]'s Delmarva Subdivision line passes north–south through Cheswold.<ref name=dcr>{{cite web|title=Delmarva Central Railroad|publisher=Carload Express|url=http://carloadexpress.com/railroads/delmarva-central-railroad/|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> [[Delaware Airpark]], a general aviation airport, is located outside of Cheswold.<ref>{{cite web|title=Delaware Airpark (33N)|publisher=Delaware River and Bay Authority|url=http://www.delawareairpark.com|access-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref>

===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 (corporation)|Waste Management]], and Burns and McBride. Cable and internet in Cheswold is provided by [[DirecTV]], [[Xfinity]], [[Dish Network]], and [[Verizon]].<ref name=welcome/>

==Education==
Cheswold is in the [[Capital School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10001_kent/DC20SD_C10001.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kent County, DE|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=June 16, 2021}}</ref> [[Dover High School (Delaware)|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<ref name=welcome/>

==References==
{{portal|Delaware}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.cheswold.delaware.gov/ Official Town Website]

{{Kent County, Delaware}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Kent County, Delaware]]
[[Category:Towns in Delaware]]