Elsmere, Delaware

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, Elsmere has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Elsmere had a population of 6,229. The median age was 36.1 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.6 males age 18 and over.^[10][11]

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.^[12]

There were 2,537 households in Elsmere, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 30.9% were married-couple households, 22.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[10]

There were 2,679 housing units, of which 5.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.^[10]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census^[13], there were 5,800 people, 2,299 households, and 1,487 families residing in the town. The population density was 5,891.0 inhabitants per square mile (2,274.5/km²). There were 2,395 housing units at an average density of 2,432.6 per square mile (939.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 82.41% White, 9.45% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 5.10% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.09% of the population.

There were 2,299 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,415, and the median income for a family was $46,357. Males had a median income of $35,427 versus $28,089 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,643. About 6.7% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Mayors

• Joann Personti 2025-Present
• Eric Thompson 2018–2025
• Steven Burg 2015–2018
• Deborah Norkavage 2007–2015
• Richard Herold 2001-2007
• Edward Doyle 1999-2001
• Charles Cavnaugh 1990-1999
• And Patti Belvins 1985–1990
• And James Abbott 1979-1985
• And Joseph Walling 1957–1971
• John Jaremchuk 1977-1979
• Richard Holmes 1954–1957

Transportation

The main east–west road in Elsmere is Delaware Route 2 (Kirkwood Highway), which heads east to Wilmington and west to Newark. Delaware Route 100 (Dupont Road) runs north–south through the eastern part of Elsmere. Delaware Route 141 passes to the west of Elsmere, with access to the town via an interchange with DE 2 in Prices Corner. DE 141 heads south through Newport and provides access to Interstate 95, Interstate 295, and Interstate 495.^[24] DART First State provides bus service to Elsmere along Route 6, which follows Kirkwood Highway and heads east to Wilmington station, which is served by Amtrak and SEPTA Regional Rail's Wilmington/Newark Line, and west to the Newark Transit Hub.^[25] Freight trains pass through Elsmere along CSX Transportation's Philadelphia Subdivision line and East Penn Railroad's Wilmington & Northern line, both of which interchange at Elsmere Junction. CSX Transportation operates the Wilsmere Yard to the south of Elsmere near the former Wilmington Assembly plant used by General Motors.^[24][26]

Utilities

Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon, provides electricity and natural gas to Elsmere.^[27][28] Artesian Water Company, a subsidiary of Artesian Resources, provides water to Elsmere.^[29] Sewer service in Elsmere is provided by New Castle County. Trash and recycling collection in Elsmere is provided under contract by Waste Management.^[30]

Health care

Elsmere is home to the Wilmington VA Medical Center, a veterans hospital operated by the Veterans Health Administration.^[31] Hospitals near Elsmere include Wilmington Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington and Christiana Hospital in Christiana.