Darby Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Darby Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 9,264 as of the 2010 census. It is home to both residential areas and expansive industrial districts. Darby Township is home to a diverse population and its industrial districts are popular among shipping companies for its proximity to Philadelphia International Airport. It also is known for being made up of two non-contiguous geographical areas, requiring one to pass through at least two neighboring municipalities to make it from one end of Darby Township to the other. Darby Township is a distinct municipality from the nearby and similarly named Darby Borough and Upper Darby Township.

History

Early settlement

The area, now known as Darby Township, was settled almost immediately after the coming of William Penn (1682), and in 1683 was recognized as one of the localities where a permanent lodgement had been made but despite that fact, it is believed that the population was sparse for more than a quarter of a century. In 1682 Darby Friends’ Meeting had been established. In the same year the first official record of Darby occurs in the list of collectors “to gather the assessment for the building of the court-house.” Thomas Worth and Joshua Fearne were appointed to those offices for Darby, and Mons Stacker and William Cobb “for Amosland & Calcoone Hook.” The latter was recognized as a distinct municipal district until 1686, when Calcoone Hook was made a part of Darby Township, and Amosland was annexed to Ridley. Calcon or Calkoen's Hook comprised all the territory between Cobb's Creek on the east, and the Mokormpates Kill or Muckinipattas Creek on the west, and derives its name from the Swedish word ''Kalkon'' (a turkey) and ''Walda Kalkoen'' (wild turkeys). Later the territory known by that name became restricted to that part lying south of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad, while its eastern boundary was Morhorhootink, as shown in the atlas of the early grants in Delaware County.

Division of Upper and Lower Darby

The territory now constituting the townships of Upper and Lower Darby continued under one municipal government until 1747, when, for the convenience of the inhabitants, at a town-meeting, it was decided to separate the upper part from the lower in all matters save
the levies made for the support of the poor. The lines thus agreed upon are not the township lines now existing, but Upper Darby, being less densely peopled, extended farther south. The inconveniences arising from the unofficial division so frequently presented themselves as a disturbing element in local government that forty years thereafter a petition was presented to the court. The following is an excerpt from this petition:

Geography

Darby Township is located at (39.907962, -75.289325).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.7 km), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.7 km) of it is land and 0.70% is water. The township consists of two separate non-contiguous territories with incorporated boroughs intervening.

Darby Township borders 9 different municipalities: the City of Philadelphia, Sharon Hill Borough, Colwyn Borough, Folcroft Borough, Glenolden Borough, Ridley Township, Upper Darby Township, Aldan Borough, and Collingdale Borough.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,264 people, 3,731 households, and 2,466 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,617.1 people per square mile (2,598.0/km). There were 3,926 housing units at an average density of 2,804.3/sq mi (1,044.4/km). The racial makeup of the township was 57.7% White, 38.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,731 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 23.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the township the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 15.0% from 25 to 34, 17.5% from 35 to 49, 19.9% from 50 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $37,396, and the median income for a family was $43,357. Males had a median income of $36,259 versus $29,711 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,179. About 10.7% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Darby Township is a First Class Township. It employs the Council-Manager form of government. The Assistant township manager is Matthew Judge. The council is the Board of Commissioners, which consists of five Commissioners, each representing a different Ward. The 1st and 2nd Wards are located in the southern part of the Township. The 1st Ward is represented by Racquel Holman (D). The 2nd Ward is represented by Rickard Womack (D). Womack serves as President of the Board of Commissioners. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wards are located in the northern part of the Township. The 3rd Ward is represented by Joseph DiLuzio (R). DiLuzio serves as Vice President of the Board of Commissioners. The 4th Ward is represented by Thomas Orlando (R). The 5th Ward is represented by Robert Gougler (R).

The Township Tax Collector is Barry Merlino (R) and the Township Controller is Paul Strus (R). The district judge for Darby Township is Judge Steven A. Sandone, Esq.

The U.S. Senators currently serving from Pennsylvania are Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R).

Darby Township is in the 5th District of Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 5th District is represented by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D).

Darby Township is in the 8th District for the Pennsylvania State Senate in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The 8th District is represented by State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D). Darby Township is spread over the 162nd and 185th Districts for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The 162nd District is represented by Rep. David M Delloso (D). The 185th District is represented by Rep. Maria P Doantucci (D).

Education

Darby Township is serviced by Southeast Delco School District. Students living in Darby Township first attend the Kindergarten Center, which is located in Darby Township. Most students attend Darby Township School, which is also located in Darby Township, for grades 1–8; some are zoned to Delcroft School in Folcroft and Sharon Hill School in Sharon Hill. For high school, students attend Academy Park High School, which is located in Sharon Hill Borough.

Darby Township is home to two public libraries. The Lee Taliaferro Library is located on Hook Road, and the Loretta Touni Library is located on Garfield Ave.

Fire companies

Darby Township and its neighboring communities are protected by three volunteer fire companies. Two of these companies are located in the northern end of Darby Township. The Briarcliffe Fire Company consists of two engines, one ambulance and one utility vehicle. Goodwill Fire Company is also located in the northern end of Darby Township. It consists of one ladder, one pumper, one mini-pumper, and one transport utility vehicle. Darby Township Fire Company No. 4 is located in the southern end of Darby Township, and it consists of two firetrucks and one pickup truck.

The Briarcliffe Fire company fire was temporarily shut down following allegations of racist remarks by firefighters who thought their video call conversation was private.

References

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Townships in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Townships in Pennsylvania