Wilmington

About Wilmington

As the largest city in Delaware, Wilmington has stood on the banks of the Delaware River for more than 350 years. Conveniently located between Washington, D.C., and New York City, Wilmington offers easy access to both the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

Wilmington became a city in 1832, and its capacity for industry began to grow soon thereafter. The city's suburbs began to grow around the time of the Civil War, with the addition of businesses and green spaces adding to the appeal of Wilmington. Today, Wilmington is a city with affordable homes, plenty of park-land, a historic downtown and growing businesses.

Arts and Culture in Wilmington

Wilmington is a city rich with history and culture, and it is also home to a vibrant arts scene. A number of galleries and art museums are dotted throughout the city, with one of the most famous being the Delaware Art Museum. Here, you can view a variety of American artwork from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, as well as a collection of works from other major art movements.

The city hosts a variety of cultural festivals throughout the year, supported by an ethnically diverse population. Among the most popular events are the Italian Festival, the Greek Festival, the Polish Festival and the Big August Quarterly, honoring African-American religious freedom. These events feature parades, games, carnival rides and a variety of ethnic cuisines.

Jobs in Wilmington

Wilmington and the surrounding New Castle County are home to businesses in the scientific, financial, health care, education and other sectors. Scientific research and manufacturing company DuPont is the area's largest employer, followed by financial companies Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and CitiCorp. Health care providers Christiana Care Health System and Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children provide a large number of jobs in the city, as does the University of Delaware.

If you're in need of a job in Wilmington, it's a good idea to look in the fast-growing industries of construction, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality.

Wilmington Schools

Students living in Wilmington are served by one of several school districts. The state's largest public school system, Christina School District is a major presence in Wilmington, working together with the Brandywine School District and the Red Clay Consolidated School District. You also have the option of enrolling your child at one of the many private and charter campuses in the city, including parochial, arts-based, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and college prep schools.

If you're planning to work toward your college degree, you'll find plenty of colleges and universities in the city to choose from. The University of Delaware is one of the largest campuses in Wilmington, with other options including the Delaware College of Art & Design.

Resources for Moving to Wilmington

Here are a few handy resources for planning your move to Wilmington:

• Utilities: Delmarva Power and the city of Delaware are the major utilities providers in Wilmington.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recyclables are collected on a regular basis in most residential areas of Wilmington. If you find yourself needing to get rid of large items like old appliances or furniture after moving, you can request a special pick-up.
• Transportation: The DART transit system provides a series of routes and connections in and around Wilmington.

Wilmington Housing

Wilmington has a large market of affordable homes, and you can typically find the best deals along Interstate 95 and on the northeast side of town along North Washington Street. Wilmington's most expensive homes are generally on the northwest side of the city, near Rockford Park and Ed Porky Oliver Golf Club.