The personal injury attorneys in Smyrna, DE, at My Delaware Lawyers, have put together the following article about the area’s history.
Smyrna
The town is located in the city of Kent within New Castle County, Delaware. It is part of Dover, Delaware’s capital, and is located in the state’s central region. The Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway runs through the eastern section of the town. The Smyrna Airport lies just outside of the eastern border. The town takes up 6.35 square miles and has several bodies of water, such as Lake Como, Duck Creek Pond, Wheatleys Pond, and the Smyrna River that dumps into the Delaware Bay.
Town History
The area was initially called Duck Creek Cross Roads and used as a shipping center due to its lengthy waterfront. In the 1950s, the shipping industry diminished, and the area became strictly an agricultural area. Items that were commonly transported through the ports included the following:
- shipping grain
- lumber
- tanbark (or tree bark similar to mulch)
- produce
Historic Landmarks
The area is home to several properties that have been to the National Register of Historic Places, such as:
- The Bannister Hall and Baynard House – located on Bayard Farm Road
- Belmont Hall – located off of Smyrna Leipsic Road
- Thomas England House – located on DuPont Boulevard
Many of the churches were built in the 1700s. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church’s first building was constructed in 1744, but the current structure dates back to 1828, and the builders used bricks from the original structure. Some other churches in the area include:
- Presbyterian Church – located on West Commerce Street
- LifeHouse Church – located on South School Lane
- Wesleyan Church – located on West Commerce Street
Neighborhood
The annual income per household averaged $36,212 in 2000 but has increased to $67,277. A family income averaged $42,355. As many as 25.86% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The occupational makeup of the townspeople is the following:
- 18.59% office and administrative support
- 7.73% management occupations
- 7.55% food service
The average home price is $206,400, which is lower than the national average of $217,500. Rent runs approximately $1,110 per month, exceeding the national rate of $1,062. The majority of the residents own their own homes, as many as 65%.
Demographics
As of 2000, the population of the town was 5,679 and consisted of 2,114 households and 1,462 families. Important ancestries of the area include the following:
- Irish
- German
- English
- Italian
- Polish
English is the most commonly spoken language, followed by Spanish and African languages. The ethnic breakdown of the town was the following:
- 72.88% white
- 22.42% African American
- 3.42% Hispanic or Latino
- 0.51% Native American
- 0.56% Asian
- 0.07% Pacific Islander
- 1.44% other races
- 2.11% two or more races
Keep reading for more fun details of the area: History of the Railroad in Clayton, DE
Our Local Office
If you have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our experienced Smyrna, DE personal injury attorneys at My Delaware Lawyers for a free consultation to learn your legal rights.
Schuster Jachetti LLP
754 S Dupont Blvd
Smyrna, DE 19977
(302) 775-0728