Seaford, Delaware

Seaford is a city located along the Nanticoke River in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. According to the 2010 Census Bureau figures, the population of the city is 6,928, an increase of 3.4% from the 2000 census. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It is the largest city fully within Sussex County.

History of Seaford, Delaware

Seaford, Delaware, is named after Seaford, East Sussex, in England. The area has a rich history, with land that is now part of western and southern Sussex County originally settled as part of Maryland. Seaford was included in Dorchester County, Maryland, along with nearby towns like Bridgeville, Greenwood, and Middleford, while Blades, Laurel, and Concord belonged to neighboring Somerset County. An error in the delineation of boundary lines led to Delaware's east-west border being inaccurately established between Delmar and Fenwick rather than the intended location at Cape Henlopen. Had this original agreement been honored, Seaford would be situated in Maryland today. The definitive boundary was finally established by surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in 1763 after lengthy legal disputes in London.

The Nanticoke River, which runs through the area, has been inhabited for thousands of years, primarily by the Nanticoke Indians and their ancestors, who have lived along the river for over 6,000 years. The first recorded European exploration of the region occurred in 1608 by Captain John Smith, marking the beginning of interactions with English settlers. Development progressed slowly due to conflicts between the Nanticoke tribe and the newcomers, but once these disputes were resolved, the area flourished.

The first recorded settlement surrounding Seaford involved a large parcel known as "Martin's Hundred," a 1,750-acre tract granted to Jeremiah Jadwin of Virginia on January 22, 1672. Throughout this early period, the river served as major transportation, with roads only beginning to appear in official records around 1720. The area was primarily agricultural and focused heavily on tobacco cultivation, reflective of a plantation lifestyle. Archaeological evidence also suggests that the region east of contemporary Seaford was significant for bog iron production.

Agricultural advancements were made under Governor William Henry Harrison Ross, who held substantial land north of Seaford and constructed an Italian Renaissance-style mansion in 1850 that still stands today. The Civil War fostered divisions within the Seaford community, but the town was officially incorporated on April 6, 1865, adopting a Council-Man-Alderman form of government that it uses today.

By the 20th century, Seaford experienced significant growth, reaching a population of around 2,000 and becoming an economic center on the Delmarva Peninsula. The poultry industry began to flourish in 1925 because of innovations in housing and feeding practices, leading Sussex County to become one of the largest chicken-producing areas in the world. In 1939, the DuPont Company established the world's first nylon plant in Seaford, earning the town the title "Nylon Capital of the World."

Today, Seaford continues to grow, featuring over 500 retail and service businesses, a stable local government, diverse housing developments, modern healthcare facilities, and numerous educational and recreational opportunities. Its attractive environment offers residents proximity to pristine waterways and beaches along the East Coast.

History of the Official City Seal

The City Seal of Seaford was originally designed in 1961 by Gary R. Blake, a patrolman in the Seaford Police Department. Each component of the seal represents significant aspects of Seaford's history and the overall heritage of Delaware:

Ship: Symbolizes Seaford’s former name, "Hooper's Landing," and its shipping activities on the Nanticoke River.
Figure One: Represents Delaware, known as the first state.
Sheaf of Wheat: Signifies the region's agricultural heritage.
Corn: Represents the milling industries based in Seaford.
Holly: Depicts Delaware's state tree.
Nylon: Acknowledges the significance of the nylon industry.
Diamond: Reflects Delaware's nickname, the "Diamond State."
Chicken: Symbolizes the poultry industry.
Farmer: Represents agricultural interests.
Indian: Honors the Nanticoke Tribe.
In 2003, the City Council slightly modified the original seal, adding the year "1865" to indicate the date of Seaford's incorporation and correcting the spelling of "Capitol" to "Capital," adhering to proper terminology.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (1.14%) is water.

Climate

Situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Seaford's weather is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. Seaford has a mild subtropical climate consisting of hot, humid summers and cool winters.

The highest official temperature ever recorded in Seaford was 104 °F (40.0 °C) on July 22, 2011, while the all-time low was -13 °F (-25.0 °C) on January 28, 1987.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Seaford has a humid subtropical climate (abbreviated ''Cfa'').

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,699 people, 2,629 households, and 1,664 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 64.04% White, 30.02% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.25% of the population.

There were 2,629 households, of which 31.5% had children under 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 22.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 69.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,402, and the median income for a family was $39,688. Males had a median income of $30,467 versus $23,490 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,022. About 22.0% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.4% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those aged 65 or over.

Crime

According to National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), violent crime in the United States is most likely to be committed in urban areas. Violent crime is made up of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. To determine the most dangerous cities in Delaware in 2023, a review of the NIBRS data was conducted of violent crimes reported in 2022, 2021, and 2020 per 1,000 residents, with Uniform Crime Reporting Program data. Wilmington, the most populous city in Delaware, registered 2,412 violent cases Seaford was ranked second in the state behind Dewey Beach.

A combination of factors has led to Seaford being listed as the second-worst place to live in the state. Seaford has the highest rate of violent crimes and the fourth-highest property crime rate in Delaware. There were 498 crime cases in 2021, violent crime occurred at the rate of about 59.34 per 1000 residents in 2021. Seaford recorded 14 Kidnapping, 16 sex offenses, and 1 rape case, and in the crime against property, there were 1 arson, 20 motor vehicle theft, 13 robberies, and 262 drug/narcotic offenses.

Art and culture

National Register of Historic Places

Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places include:

* Building at 200–202A High Street
* Building at 218 High Street
* Building at High and Cannon Streets
* Burton Hardware Store
* J. W. Cox Dry Goods Store
* First National Bank of Seaford
* Hearn and Rawlins Mill
* Lawrence
* Maston House
* Jesse Robinson House
* Edgar and Rachel Ross House
* Gov. William H. Ross House
* St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church
* Seaford Station Complex
* Sussex National Bank of Seaford

Points of interest

* Nanticoke River Arts Council/Gallery 107.
* Seaford Christmas Parade.
* Nanticoke River Walk - a pedestrian walkway beside the Nanticoke River in downtown Seaford.
* Seaford Museum – located in a former post office.
* Ross Mansion and Plantation – former residence of former Delaware Governor William H. H. Ross; the property includes the Gov. William H. Ross House, a granary with farm equipment exhibits, carriage house, a Victorian cottage and Delaware's only documented log slave quarters.
* Nanticoke Riverfest takes place in July and the Nanticoke River is used for inner tube floating. There is also a three-day festival.
* The AFRAM Festival is a celebration of African American culture held in August.

Library

Seaford District Library was founded in the early 1900s. It holds 28,000 items, and has a community center.

Parks and recreation

* Kiwanis Park – a memorial park.
* Gateway Park – a park with brick sidewalks and a fountain, forming the gateway into downtown Seaford.
* Soroptimist Park – a park located at Williams Pond complete with a playground and a pavilion.
* Nutter Park – contains a playground and basketball courts.
* Williams Pond Park – a ballpark run by the Nanticoke Little League.
* Sports Complex – includes the Jay's Nest community-built playground, and softball facilities.
* Hooper's Landing Golf and Country Club – a public 18-hole course, pool, tennis courts and driving range.

Government

Seaford has a mayor-council system of government with a mayor and a city council, the mayor has no official authority outside the council, serving a chiefly ceremonial role as council chairperson.

Government controversy

The former Mayor of Seaford, David Genshaw, has been embroiled in controversy due to allegations of potential quid pro quo regarding a contentious abortion-rights ordinance. The situation intensified when the Delaware Attorney General's Office announced its decision to sue the city over the ordinance, which Councilman King has claimed was primarily driven by the former mayor's personal agenda. As of December 14, 2021, it was reported that the city had incurred over $10,000 in legal expenses tied to defending this controversial measure, raising concerns about the utilization of public funds.

Councilman King has publicly voiced his apprehensions regarding the involvement of the Attorney General's Office in suing a city administration. He stated, “It’s very sad when your AG’s office has to step in, again, and sue one of their own cities. We’re using taxpayer dollars and resources to fund this, and at the end of that what does that look like?” King has referred to Genshaw’s previous handling of related policy issues, including a right-to-work ordinance, suggesting that this pattern of behavior could set a dangerous precedent for local governance and waste taxpayer resources.

In response to the allegations, Genshaw defended the ordinance, asserting that it reflected the values of certain constituents and his administration. He mentioned the possibility of a private donor being willing to finance the city’s legal expenses in connection to the lawsuit filed by the Attorney General. This assertion intensified scrutiny from Councilman King, who raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding the donor’s identity and the implications of such a relationship. King expressed his discomfort, indicating, “Dave enshawis saying ‘hey, you know what, we’ve got this magical donor that’s willing to pick up all the expense,’ and that whole conversation didn’t feel right… I’m like, man, that’s not what we’re elected for.” His remarks emphasize the necessity for transparency and accountability within local government, especially when public funds and interests are at stake.

Kathy Jennings, the Attorney General, initiated the lawsuit after issuing multiple warnings that the ordinance in question violated state law. The Attorney General's office reported that the ordinance is characterized as an 'anti-choice' measure, aligning with larger national trends of similarly restrictive abortion laws that have emerged in various states across the country. This lawsuit reflects not only a clash over local governance and accountability but also the broader socio-political divide regarding reproductive rights in the United States.

Education

Seaford is home to the Seaford School District. The Seaford School District, based in the town of Seaford, Delaware, encompasses 82 square miles in the southwest corner of Sussex County. It serves the communities of Seaford and Blades and consists of four elementary, one middle, and one high school, serving approximately 3,500 students in grades pre-K through 12.

Media

Radio

WGMD The Talk of Delmarva 92.7 FM/98.5 broadcasts from just outside the city limits.

Television

WDPB-TV 64 is the only television station originating from Seaford. It is a full-time rebroadcaster of WHYY-TV in Philadelphia and a member station of PBS.

Newspapers

The ''Seaford Star'' is a weekly newspaper. Morning Star Publications has been in business for approximately 27 years.

*Name: Morning Star Publications Inc.
*Trade Name: Seaford Star, Laurel Star, Morning Star Report, Business Report, and Salisbury Star
Website
starpublications.online

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Route 13 is the main north-south thoroughfare within city limits, with Delaware Route 20 being the main east-west highway. U.S. Route 13 connects Seaford with Bridgeville to the north and Laurel to the south as part of the Sussex Highway. State Route 20 connects Seaford with Millsboro to the east and tiny Reliance, Maryland to the west.

The closest airport with commercial air service to Seaford is the Wicomico Regional Airport in Salisbury, Maryland. The closest public airport is Laurel Airport in Laurel, Delaware. There is also an airport in Georgetown called the Delaware Coastal Airport. This airport has a jet service section, as part of the nearby industrial park.

DART First State operates the Route 212 bus that connects Seaford to Georgetown and Delmar and the Route 903F bus that runs on a loop through Seaford.

Freight rail service in Seaford is provided by two carriers: the Delmarva Central Railroad and the Maryland and Delaware Railroad. The Delmarva Central Railroad runs north-south through the city, parallel to US 13. It interchanges with the Maryland and Delaware Railroad in Seaford, which heads west to Federalsburg and Cambridge in Maryland.

Utilities

The City of Seaford Electric Department provides electricity to approximately 6,700 customers in the city. The electric department owns three substations and more than of transmission and distribution lines. The city purchases its electricity and is a member of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation. The Public Works department provides water and sewer service to the city. Natural gas service in Seaford is provided by Chesapeake Utilities.

Health care

TidalHealth Hospital and TidalHealth Cancer Care Center, both operated by TidalHealth Health Services, are located in Seaford.

Notable people

* Lee F. Booth, Aerospace Tycoon
* Delino DeShields, Former baseball player
* Ricky Elliott, American racing driver
* Stephanie Hansen, Delaware state senator
* Horace G. Knowles, U.S. Ambassador
* Mike Neill, Former Olympic baseball player
* Lovett Purnell, former American football player
* Darnell Savage, American football player

References

External links

City of Seaford

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1672 establishments in Delaware
Cities in Delaware
Cities in Sussex County, Delaware
Populated places established in 1672
Salisbury metropolitan area