RANK #495 / 996 · POP 575,312 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
Swarthmore, a borough within Delaware County, Pennsylvania, offers a distinctive small-town atmosphere centered around Swarthmore College. Known colloquially as "Delco," the county is located southwest of Philadelphia, bordering the city directly. Commuters have access to SEPTA regional rail and bus services, and the county also provides shuttle options to connect residents to transit hubs. The county maintains nearly a thousand acres of parkland, providing residents with scenic trails, picnic areas, and athletic fields. Ridley Creek State Park, encompassing over 2,600 acres, offers an expanse of woodlands and meadows just 16 miles from Center City Philadelphia.
Life in Delaware County often involves a blend of suburban living with access to urban amenities. Many families are drawn to the area for its highly-rated public schools. The county's economy is supported by various sectors, including services like healthcare and business, trade, and manufacturing. Recent economic development initiatives focus on revitalizing main streets and supporting local businesses, with efforts to expand workforce development in hospitality and culinary fields. The county also works to redevelop brownfield sites.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
LNG Export Facility (Proposed)
Eddystone Energy LLC (formerly Penn America)
|
$7,000M | Proposed |
|
Electric Infrastructure Upgrades (Upper Darby)
PECO
|
$66M | Completed |
|
New Construction Residential Developments (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Pulte Homes, Blenheim Homes, Lennar, Ryan Homes)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Delaware County has a Boom Town Index score of 50/100, ranking #495 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.2% and a median household income of $86,390, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Delaware County is $289,700 with median rent at $1,257/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2982, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.2%. Home values changed +1.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.13% of Delaware County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.