Bridgeville, Delaware

The town of Bridgeville is the oldest community in western Sussex County. Records of land transactions which were made in the first quarter of the 18th century suggest that a significant agricultural community already existed in the area by that period. A small group of houses had been built along the present Main Street by the turn of the 19th century; this settlement was known as "Bridge Branch" for the nearby stream, which was crossed by a bridge as early as 1730. By 1804, the community had grown sufficiently to merit the establishment of a post office. The village was formally recognized in 1810, when an Act of the Assembly was passed to establish its name as "Bridgeville." Early 19th century industries included a water-powered mill, tanyard, charcoal furnace, and fruit-drying business. The growth of the town accelerated greatly upon the arrival of the Delaware Railroad in Bridgeville in 1856. The town was subsequently laid out for development by William Cannon (1809-1865).[6]

Bridgeville was named for a bridge that was built in 1730 that was located over a tributary of the Nanticoke River.[7]

The Bridgeville Historic District, Bridgeville Public Library, Eratt House, Old Bridgeville Fire House, Ricards House-Linden Hall, Scott's Store, Sudler House, and Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]

Bridgeville is located at 38°44′33″N 75°36′16″W (38.7426137, -75.6043714).[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.

At the 2000 census there were 1,436 people, 570 households, and 381 families living in the town. The population density was 1,768.6 people per square mile (684.5/km²). There were 636 housing units at an average density of 783.3 per square mile (303.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 55.85% White, 31.55% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 8.91% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.64%.[10]

Of the 570 households 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.4% of households were one person and 12.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median household income was $26,579 and the median family income was $30,083. Males had a median income of $25,536 versus $20,298 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,965. About 24.9% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

• Thurman Adams, Jr., Democratic member of the Delaware Senate; born in Bridgeville.
• William F. Allen, Democratic member of the Delaware General Assembly and the United States House of Representatives; born in Bridgeville.[11]
• William Cannon, served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware during much of the Civil War; born in Bridgeville.[12]
• Peter F. Causey, Governor of Delaware from 1855–1859.
• Edward Willis Redfield, impressionist painter.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bridgeville, Delaware.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bridgeville (Delaware).

• Town of Bridgeville Delaware Portal style website, Government, Business, Library, Recreation and more
• City-Data.com Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Bridgeville
• ePodunk: Profile for Bridgeville, Delaware, DE