Hartly’s rural atmosphere and quiet living near bigger hubs
Situated just at the state line of Delaware in Kent County, Hartly is a small town that traces its roots back to the early 1700s. Since its inception, Hartly has comprised active farmland, and several farms are still operational today, providing local produce and animal products for the area. It's home to just over 70 residents, making it the smallest municipality by population in the state. Despite its small population, however, the community sprawls over several miles of fields and woodland, rural and quiet in nature. The town is home to local businesses and a few chain retailers, but the area is also close to packed retail areas, with larger communities such as Dover and Camden only about 13 miles away.
Homes sit on spacious lots surrounded by woods and farmland
Dense pockets of woodland, sprawling fields and winding backroads make up the scenery of Hartly and the surrounding areas. Most homes sit on at least a quarter to half an acre, while some occupy dozens of acres; yards are bordered by wooden fences, and gravel driveways lead to front porches and doors. Small manufactured homes and ranch-style homes built in the mid-to-late 20th century sell between $76,000 and $305,000, while larger or more contemporary builds sell for $320,000 to $525,000. The town's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Local schools offer career-focused pathways
The Capital School District serves the community, and Delaware allows school choice within a district during an open enrollment period. While the district has several elementary schools, most children will attend local Hartly Elementary, which receives a B rating from Niche. Kids move on to the C-plus-rated William Henry Middle School for fifth and sixth grades before heading to either the Middle School of Excellence or the Middle School of Innovation. Both are currently unrated on Niche. Dover High, which receives a B-plus, offers 13 Career and Technical Education pathways, including but not limited to culinary arts, finance and marketing.
A few essentials in town, with more shopping in Dover and Camden
Hartly isn't a place of sprawling retail areas and packed shopping centers, but rather is anchored by a short main street that offers a couple of essentials. The town proper features a Family Dollar and a DG Market for groceries, while throughout the community, there are small independent businesses and convenience stores. The family-run Harvest Ridge Winery serves flights of locally sourced wines and ciders, and on weekends, hosts different food trucks on the property. Dover and Camden, both roughly 13 miles away from Hartly, offer big-box stores, national retailers and chain grocery stores.
Mud Mill Pond and golf club offer outdoor escapes
While Hartly doesn't have any maintained parks, it still has nearby outdoor recreational options. Near the south of the community, local anglers take boats out on the calm water of Mud Mill Pond. Wild Quail Golf & Country Club, situated in the neighboring town of Wyoming, is a private club that features an 18-hole golf course and amenities such as pickleball courts and a pool.
Short highways connect Hartly to major roads and nearby towns
The community is intersected by Delaware Route 11 and bordered to the north by Delaware Route 300. While both are short highways, they help connect to more significant thoroughfares, such as U.S. Route 13 in the nearby town of Smyrna. The closest major medical center, the Kent Campus of Bayhealth Hospital, is 13 miles away in Dover. While there are small regional airports, most will drive 70 miles north to Philadelphia International Airport.
