$221,633Average Value$158Average Price per Sq Ft31Homes For Sale
A hub of business and culture in northern Delaware
The beating heart of Delaware’s largest city, Downtown Wilmington serves as a centerpiece of industry accompanied by a vibrant scene of arts and culture. Situated where the Christina River and Brandywine Creek flow together, the neighborhood is part of the site of North America’s first Swedish settlement, and echoes of over 300 years of history reverberate to the present day. “You can see everything from an art loop to bar crawls along with that history,” says Will Webber, a licensed Realtor and broker with Keller Williams Realty. “There were places built along the Brandywine and Delaware Rivers for World War II, and there is a port.”
Many financial and credit card companies call Delaware home, earning the state the nickname of “Corporate Capital of the World” due to its popularity as a site for business incorporation. Its central location is popular with commuters, as Philadelphia and Baltimore are both within driving distance. Shoppers from out of state often travel to The First State as well, as Delaware lacks a local or statewide sales tax. “People will come to Delaware to buy appliances,” Webber says. “It’s cheaper to pay a bridge toll than it is to pay a 6% tax.”
Historic housing lines narrow downtown streets
Townhouses are far and away the most common style of housing found in Downtown Wilmington, but the landscape changes significantly as the city expands off the river. “Townhouses are more around the city center,” say Webber, who has 36 years of experience in the industry. “As it branches out, you get into the single-family homes.” Within the city, the townhouses are often priced between $100,000 and $300,000, but most residents who work in the city live outside its limits. “Maybe some banking employees, but not many residents who work in the city live there,” Webber says. “There are people who can walk to work, but I wouldn’t call it a frequent thing.”
Most of the townhouses in Downtown Wilmington date to 1900 or before, including some as far back as the 1870s. “You’ll see 100- or 150-year-old houses that have small rooms,” Webber says. “You need to be able to drive to get around, but they don’t have driveways or garages. Wilmington is walkable by accident.” The preserved Colonial buildings add to the neighborhood’s historic charm. Crime in Downtown Wilmington rates at a CAP crime score of 8 out of 10, double the national average of 4.
Brick townhomes are a common sight on many streets throughout Downtown Wilmington.
Colorful twin homes are common in Downtown Wilmington.
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Riverfront restaurants with water views
Most dining in Downtown Wilmington is concentrated around the waterfront. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and Del Pez Riverfront pour drinks for patrons near a bend in the river, while Constitution Yards’ beer garden accommodates patrons close by. Docklands Riverfront and Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront live up to their monikers, offering views of the Christina flowing by. “There are restaurants, but there’s a lot of turnover,” Webber says. “Restaurants don’t always thrive because you can rent the building, but don’t have parking.”
Less than 10 miles south, the Christiana Mall serves as the area’s most prominent retail outlet and is home to JCPenney, Macy’s and more. Over 150 storefronts fill the complex, including shopping, dining and entertainment options, and the mall is surrounded by additional retail. “In the same area, there are some big big-box stores,” Webber says. “You’d be amazed at how many people come to the big-box stores to spend their money, because Delaware doesn’t have a sales tax.” The ShopRite of Christina Crossing sits just south across the river, while the Riverfront Market is situated within the neighborhood.
In summer, Docklands Riverfront’s outdoor bar is popular with Downtown Wilmington folks.
Try something new from one of the many vendors in the Riverfront Market.
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Green spaces along the river
Downtown Wilmington’s recreational offerings are highlighted by several parks situated on the water. On the Christina River, Christina Park encompasses sports fields, picnic areas and fishing opportunities, while Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park is the site of marathons and music festivals. To the north, on the Brandywine Creek, H. Fletcher Brown Park offers views of the river and Kirkwood Park accommodates walkers on a network of trails.
The rivers themselves are popular for paddling and fishing. Just north, across the creek, the Brandywine Zoo visitors can see myriad creatures from around the world, ranging from lemurs to pythons. The Jack A. Markell Trail runs for over five miles south, linking the riverfront with New Castle Battery Park. “It goes all the way to New Castle with almost zero car traffic,” Webber says. “It goes through nature preserves, a park and the space between neighborhoods.” A river walk runs along the Christina, and the 7th Street Skatepark sits in the curve of the Brandywine.
The Riverwalk in Downtown Wilmington is a peaceful place to walk along the Christina River.
The setting sun can be seen reflecting off of office buildings in Downtown Wilmington.
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Convenient access to I-95
Interstate 95 comprises the western side of Downtown Wilmington, creating a boundary between the city and the suburbs that expand beyond it to the west. The city also marks the rough beginning of the upper third of I-95’s breadth. “Interstate 95 drives right through the heart of Wilmington,” Webber says. “Lots of people think they haven’t been to Delaware, but they have. You just didn’t know you were in it.” Philadelphia is about 30 miles up the coast of the Delaware River, while Baltimore is about 75 miles southwest. Both New York City and Washington, D.C. are over 100 miles away.
The state capital is about 50 miles south. “If you want to go south to Dover, go back to the Christiana Mall and turn left,” Webber says. DART provides both bus and rail transportation, and Wilmington Airport offers Avelo Airlines flights to destinations on the east coast. Medical care is another hallmark of the Downtown Wilmington area. “There’s a world-famous children’s hospital in Wilmington,” Webber says of Nemour’s Children’s Hospital. “There’s all kinds of cancer research. One of the bigger and better-equipped veteran’s hospitals is just outside of Wilmington. There are reasons to live here for medical care and, of course, affordable shopping.” ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital is located in the northern part of the neighborhood.
Baseball, theater and more near the river
Since 1993, the Wilmington Blue Rocks have played High-A minor-league baseball at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in southern Downtown Wilmington. The team is currently the affiliate of the Washington Nationals, and notable alumni from the Blue Rocks’ more than 30 years of existence include Johnny Damon, Zack Greinke and Salvador Perez. Just north of the stadium, Penn Cinema Riverfront 14 offers an IMAX theater. “The IMAX theater is where you go if you want the floor to rumble,” Webber says. "It’s quite an experience.”
The neighborhood is also dotted with performance spaces, galleries and theaters, which contribute to the vibrant culture of the area. The Queen is a former hotel and movie theater that eventually evolved into a live event venue, and is the site of live concerts and other shows. Residents can also attend shows at the Grand Opera House. When Independence Day rolls around, the city marks the 4th of July with festivities and fireworks on the waterfront. The Delaware Contemporary, the Delaware Children’s Museum and the Delaware Theatre Company are also popular outlets for art, interactive exhibits and stage productions.
The Queen Theater sits on a revitalized part of Market Street in Downtown Wilmington.
Frawley Stadium hosts Blue Rocks baseball just outside of Downtown Wilmington.
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Career-focused programs at Howard High
Within the Christina School District, students can attend the recently-opened Bancroft School, which scores a C-minus with Niche and spans first through ninth grade. High school options in the area include the Howard High School of Technology, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Graduates of Howard can receive career certificates, and programs at the school include health services, construction focuses and business.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Downtown Wilmington, Wilmington sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Wilmington, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $211,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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