Wilmington is certaintly a mid size city (Newark, Claymont: townhomes, university)

[psulions2007]

Wilmington and Providence are twins separated at birth, IMO.

[gwillyfromphilly]

If Trenton, NJ and Camden, NJ(2 other cities in the area) aren't considered mid-size cites, than why would Wilmington, DE be considered a mid-sized city?

[jm02]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

If Trenton, NJ and Camden, NJ(2 other cities in the area) aren't considered mid-size cites, than why would Wilmington, DE be considered a mid-sized city?

Given there are no official criteria delineating what constitutes a small-, mid- and large-size city, it is of course debatable. I consider Wilmington different from Camden and Trenton because it anchors a PMSA of over 600,000 people (FAIR:). Trenton does anchor its region, but the metro is consider smaller than that of Wilmington's. Camden County has a fairly comparable population with NCC, but I wouldn't say it anchors the county. I would give that role to Philly and other more prosperous townships east of the river. Further (to get even more subjective) DT Trenton and Camden just don't exude the same urban "feel" I get from DT Wilmington.

That's my perspective. YMMV.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Wilmington should build some skyscrapers , to make an impression for people passing on the highway or Amtrak....

[doctorjef]

Oh, that would be a good reason to build skyscrapers

How about, if there were a market for all that space?

[Road_Warrior]

As was discussed on other boards in the past, Wilmington has a "gravity." Many companies, tons of jobs. Wilmington has over twice as many suburbs as Trenton, which is Wilmington's most similar comparison, like Earth and Venus, both on the De river, similar population, etc.

One of the most elementary aspects of a city are the jobs. Within 100 miles of Philadelphia (except for the New England ones I insterted,) This is the open jobs listing on Careerbuilder.

• City:
  • New York (6239)
  • Philadelphia (3008)
  • Boston 2305
  • Baltimore (2188)
  • Hartford 997
  • Wilmington (813)
  • Newark (716)
  • Allentown (706)
  • Hanover (576)
  • Columbia (523)
  • Princeton (522)
  • Parsippany (491)
  • Jersey City (489)
  • King of Prussia (481)
  • Brooklyn (477)
  • Harrisburg (476)
  • White Plains (408)
  • Cherry Hill (348)
  • Bronx (335)
  • Edison (334)
  • Long Island City (312)
  • York (290)
  • Lancaster (271)
  • Wayne (261)
  • Annapolis (254)
  • Reading (245)
  • Bethlehem (243)
  • Towson (234)
  • West Chester (215)
  • Morristown (214)
  • Trenton (200)
  • Paramus (195)

Wilmington has 1/9 the posted jobs of New York.


Wilmington has the economic power of a city (of):



888,000 as compared to New York City
400,000 to Philadelphia
270,000 to Baltimore
290,000 to Newark NJ

Compared to similar sized cities:

3x Reading, PA (240,000)
3x Lancaster, PA (200,000)
4x Trenton, NJ (320,000)
2x Harrisburg, PA (100,000)
2x Providence, RI (340,000)


This might be the only remnant of when Wilmington mas a more powerful, and independent city than is perceived now.



I don't see another city in the Northeast that pulls its weight as well as Wilmington does in this category. It compares with a city of about 280-300,000 people in terms of economic gravity.

[Woodlands]

Just out of curiousity... I noticed that Septa has two stations in Chester, PA... A city about half the size of Wilmington and arguably not on the same scale in terms of development and economic "gravity". Wilmington only has the main Amtrak/Septa station downtown. Are there any plans, efforts or interest in the City to have a second station added to the 'city proper'? Seems like if a redevelopment plan for I believe its called "riverside" is put in place just off of NE Ave.. that a decent size Transit Oriented Development could be put in place anchored by a nice station near the park surrounded by housing. The City may be able to attract residents to the new development that could spill over into other parts of NE Wilmington.. Just saying.. I dont see why a place like Chester would have two Septa Stations as opposed to a larger community such as Wilmington.. I say close the Highland Ave Station in Chester and push for a NE Wilmington Station.... I know.. its probably politics..SEPTA is in PA vs DE???

[doctorjef]

Doesn't SEPTA stop at the station in Claymont, which one could consider to be North Wilmington suburbs? SEPTA also serves Newark.

[jm02]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Doesn't SEPTA stop at the station in Claymont, which one could consider to be North Wilmington suburbs? SEPTA also serves Newark.

SEPTA has four stations in NCC - also one in Christiana. Strikes me as pretty good coverage.

[James420]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Doesn't SEPTA stop at the station in Claymont, which one could consider to be North Wilmington suburbs? SEPTA also serves Newark.

Yes but if you were ever in public and called N Wilmington, "Claymont" you'd be strung up and shot, lol. I've seen parents in North Wilmington crying when their kids had to go to school with the inner city Claymonsters. I mean crying buckets, moms and dads.