A riverfront downtown surrounded by residential areas
Wilmington is the populous city in the second-smallest state in the country, home to more than 70,000 residents, several top employers and a thriving arts scene in an area filled with historic roots. Wilmington’s downtown is cradled by the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, which create natural boundaries on the southern and northern sides, respectively. From there, where the metropolitan portion sits along the Delaware River, Wilmington sprawls outward across the northern part of the state.
The city’s central location to major areas like Baltimore and Philadelphia is prized by its residents, some of whom commute using several major highways that provide convenience to Wilmington locals. “There are people in northern Delaware that use Delaware as a bedroom community to working in Philadelphia, because Delaware has way more affordable real estate taxes and no sales tax,” says Will Webber, a licensed Realtor and broker with Keller Williams Realty.
The tax aspect has led to a majority of Fortune 500 companies becoming legally incorporated in Delaware. “They wanted to open that door for banks to be here,” Webber, who has sold homes for 36 years and is the first Realtor in the state to also be a licensed drone pilot, says. “There’s an awful lot of businesses that are incorporated in Delaware.” Credit card and banking companies also frequently call Delaware home for similar reasons, and serve as a major employer in the area. “If you look at the back of your credit card, your payment likely comes to Delaware,” Webber says. ChristianaCare is the second-largest employer in the state, with the hospital corporation employing over 11,000 statewide as of 2022.
Enjoy views of the Wilmington skyline from Hedgeville.
You'll have easy access to I-95 from the Delaware Avenue neighborhood.
The Biden Train Station connects Wilmington residents with Amtrak routes along the coast.
Take a stroll along the Wilmington Riverfront, just a few minute drive from Highlands.
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Residential housing to the west of the Delaware River
Wilmington’s west and north sides are the primary residential areas of the city, and single-family homes become more common the farther out the landscape goes to the west and north. Townhouses are more concentrated in the city itself. Over the past year, the median selling price for properties in Wilmington is $321,162, and they typically stay on the market for around 19 days. “Cornfields become neighborhoods, and the neighborhoods are convenient and affordable compared to anywhere in New Jersey or Pennsylvania,” Webber says. “Truthfully, it can get into rural Maryland, but then you’re kind of stuck if you need a hospital or decent schools.”
Single-family homes most often fall between $300,000 and $450,000 in the surrounding area, while townhouses can range from $100,000 to more than $300,000. Waterfront homes are few, since Interstate 495 separates the residential area from the Delaware River in northern Wilmington, but housing styles include an assortment of ranch-style homes, colonials, Cape Cods, split-levels and more. Many homes date to before 1950, while a large number of others were built in the second half of the 20th century and still others date to 2000 or more recent.
Cold winters in Wilmington give way to humid summers, where temperature highs often reach close to 90 degrees. “It has comfortable weather,” Webber says. “Delaware gets whatever the weather is between D.C. and Philadelphia. There’s kind of a big heat sink; even the bad weather that might happen in Baltimore won’t happen in Delaware because it has to go over the Chesapeake Bay. It keeps things moderate.” Rainfall averages slightly above the national mean of 38 inches, while snowfall is well below the national average.
Colorful twin homes are common in Downtown Wilmington.
A hillside home in Westminster soaking up the last sun of the day.
Colonial style homes are commonly found throughout the Highlands neighborhood.
Lovely twin homes reside along the streets in Midtown Brandywine.
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Recreation on the water and on terra firma
A number of parks, both small and large, are scattered throughout the area. “The parks are very convenient and well-kept,” Webber says. “There’s state parks with good access to them, and we have everything from dog parks to family-friendly parks. They’re interspersed and everywhere.” Brandywine Park is one of the largest urban recreational areas in Delaware, bookending the shores of the Brandywine Creek and dating to 1886. On its grounds, the Brandywine Zoo is home to wild animals including bobcats, monkeys, ducks and tortoises. The Bancroft Parkway is a collection of sequential green spaces running between two roads also under the Bancroft name.
Several state parks and refuges are in the area as well, including the 415-acre Alapocas Run State Park and the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge. The Ed Oliver Golf Club offers an 18-hole course to those hitting the links, and the Markell Trail runs 8 miles from the riverfront. “Bring your bicycle because from the waterfront in the city of Wilmington you can go all the way to New Castle, which is very historic,” Webber says. Paddling, fishing and other water-based recreation are popular on both the Christina and Delaware rivers.
The Jack Markell Trail spans 5.5 miles and is popular for walks or biking near Hedgeville.
Rowing is a popular activity along the Christina River near Hedgeville.
Take a stroll through the shady trails at the Nemours Estate in Fairfax.
Ed Oliver Golf Course is open to the public and a great option to get outside in Westmoreland.
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A bustling waterfront scene on the Christina
Wilmington’s downtown area has an assortment of restaurants and bars, some with views of the water. Fourth Street, North King Street and Justison Street are among the areas where eateries are concentrated, particularly on and around Fourth and North Union streets. Selections include pubs with classic fare and other establishments covering an array of international food. The Wilmington Riverfront consists of outlets that overlook the Christina, including Docklands Riverfront and Iron Hill Brewery. “There’s bars, restaurants and some free parking,” Webber says. “It’s very accessible, and the area is flat.”
Food markets and grocery stores, both national chains and locally-owned, dot the area as well. Residents are able to access them via short distances regardless of living in the downtown area, north side or west side, and the Christiana Mall is less than 10 miles southwest from the center of Wilmington. “The Christiana Mall is a really big shopping center, and there are big-box stores,” Webber says. “When you go to Costco, you’d be amazed at the ratio of Pennsylvania and New Jersey license plates you see.” Out-of-staters head into Delaware for large purchases due to the lack of a sales tax.
The nearby Wilmington Riverfront offers nightlife and great food just outside of Minquadale.
Hedgeville residents can make a short trip to the Wilmington Riverwalk for dining options.
Wilmington Brew Works features live music on the weekends just north of North Brandywine.
Take a stroll along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, DE.
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Attractions rooted in arts and history
Besides its role as a hub of dining and river views, the waterfront is also a prime spot for locals to catch entertainment throughout the year. “There’s brewpubs and motels and concert space and a baseball park,” Webber says. “At the waterfront, there are 4th of July fireworks and free parking and good access to that kind of stuff, along with historic museums.” Those historic showcases include the Delaware Art Museum and the Delaware Contemporary, the latter of which hosts international artists alongside local creators.
Wilmington is sometimes called the 'Corporate Capital of the World,' an aspect evidenced by the DuPont Building also sits in downtown; the 13-floor behemoth occupies an entire block and is over 100 years old. Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library is also tied to the du Pont family and its museum is home to an expansive assortment of Americana art. “They have steeplechase, elegant horse races and 1930s Rolls Royces given by the family,” Webber says, “who show off for the people who come to this event to get seen or get found. North Wilmington has these kinds of attractions that are kind of locally well-known and well-attended.”
Residents also head out of the city to find more events and attractions. “There’s beach activities and a vacation spot at Rehoboth,” Webber says, “which is where Washington, D.C. people vacation because it’s more affordable than Ocean City in Maryland and not as congested.” Rehoboth is just under 100 miles south of Wilmington.
Listen to some tunes in the gorgeous Sugar Bowl Pavilion at the Summer Concert Series.
The City of Wilmington Seal is found in Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Downtown Wilmington.
Explore various works of art such as glass sculptures at Brandywine Festival of the Arts.
Brandywine Festival of the Arts takes place in Brandywine Park.
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Centrally located to major highways
Much of Wilmington is located between the arteries of Interstate 95 and Interstate 495. “It’s convenient to everything by way of Interstate 95,” Webber says. “If you’re in northern Delaware, that’s a slam dunk.” Other nearby thoroughfares include Route 13, Route 141 and Interstate 295 for drivers.
Residents value Wilmington for its proximity to several major cities, including Baltimore, around 75 miles southwest, and Philadelphia, about 30 miles northeast. “There are people that have been to Delaware that don’t even know they have,” Webber says. “If you’re connecting to Baltimore or Washington, D.C., you drove through Delaware.” Dover, the capital of Delaware, sits about 50 miles south.
Delaware Administration for Regional Transit, or DART, is the primary local transportation provider in the area, and SEPTA light rail trails connect Wilmington to the greater Philadelphia region. Residents can also take Amtrak trains to Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and other East Coast cities or drive to the Philadelphia International Airport, which is the largest nearby hub for air travel.
Several prominent colleges and a large school district
Students in the area can go to public schools in several school districts, most prominently the Christina School District. Encompassing 14 elementary schools, three middle schools and three traditional high schools, the district garners a C-plus rating from Niche. Several colleges also have a major presence in the area. “There’s the University of Delaware, Wilmington University and extending learning centers from both, where you don’t have to fight traffic to get to Newark,” Webber says. “There are available classes and educational centers not necessarily located in Newark or in the city of Wilmington.”
The University of Delaware enrolls nearly 25,000 students in all and has a staff of almost 5,000, making it a significant employer in the area, while Wilmington University has around 14,000 students. Additionally, the University of Delaware-Wilmington campus is located on Pennsylvania Avenue on the west side of the city.
A wide shot for New Castle Elementary School.
Padua Academy's school motto "Suaviter sed Fortiter," translates to "Softly, but strongly."
Skyline Middle School has an engaging and friendly staff.
Newark High School has 1,091 students in grades 9-12.
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Crime rates across the Wilmington region
According to NeighborhoodScout, which garners its data from FBI crime statistics, there are 54.48 crimes per 1,000 residents in Wilmington. About 12.66 of these are considered violent crimes; Wilmington is rated safer than just 2% of cities nationwide.
Amanda understands that buying or selling a home is a life-changing experience which is why she is dedicated to providing an exceptional, personalized service to all my clients. She possess’ a love for building connections and take pride in the relationships she has built with her clients. Amanda will work with determination to achieve their real estate goals.
Amanda makes it her mission to provide a positive experience for every client. She is here to be the trusted resource you need to guide you through the complicated world of real estate. Every day she continues to educate herself on the market and stay up to date on current trends in order to be forward thinking in the ever-changing industry. Helping people is what drew her to this job, and she loves what she does!
In Amanda’s opinion, there is no better place to be than Delaware. Maybe it is because she was born and raised here or maybe it is because you can pretty much drive anywhere in the state in less than an hour. From the fun night life of Wilmington to the beautiful beaches down in Rehoboth, they sure have a lot to offer for being the second smallest state.
When she is not helping people with real estate, you can find Amanda traveling, performing in community theater, and even part-time bartending at a local bar! Want to learn how you can work together? Connect with Amanda! She cannot wait to work with you.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
