Delaware
Southern Delaware's Georgetown embraces change amid growing population
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A lot has changed in Georgetown over the past two decades. The county seat of Delaware’s southernmost Sussex County has seen its population increase about 60% since 2000. The town’s growth mirrors a burgeoning county and state population and is resulting in a number of changes, including more crowded roadways.
Glendy Vicente, a 24-year-old Latina resident, has grown up with those changes. She fondly remembers streets with farms on one side and houses on the opposite side — a typical example of the rural way of life in Georgetown.
“The last four years, I’ve seen a lot more change,” she said. “I remember growing up, there was mostly forest and fields. There have been a lot of drastic changes between when I was five to now being 24.”
The once little town that we were, it’s now becoming a little bit more populated with businesses and people,” she said.
Delaware has been on a growing trend, with a consistent 1.2% growth rate every year. It’s the sixth-fastest growing state in the country by percent growth, according to the United States Census Bureau statistics.
In April 2020, the state’s total population stood at 989,946. By July 2022, it had risen to 1,019,459, and more recently, in 2023, the population reached 1,031,890. That’s well above the 2000 population, which stood at more than 786,000.
In April 2020, Georgetown had a population of 7,134, and as of July 2022, the population has increased to 7,662. Georgetown had just 4,798 residents in 2000.
Georgetown Mayor Bill West says the population growth and accompanying development investment is due in part to its central location in Sussex and the opportunities available for success.
“[Georgetown is] 16 miles from the beach, 16 miles from the southern end of Delaware, 16 miles from the western side of Delaware into Maryland. So we’re 16 miles from anywhere,” he said. “I’ve always been told by the people of Georgetown, ‘Our kids are moving out. There’s no jobs here,’ that ‘They’ve got to go somewhere else to get a good paying job, and there’s nothing for them here.’ Well, I tried to change that by getting the medical fields into Georgetown… to give our kids an opportunity to stay here and have a good paying job.”
Among the new businesses in Georgetown are PAM Hospital, Sun Behavioral, Beebe Hospital, hotels, and the construction of a new family court on Main Street. According to West, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, and Popeyes are also expected to soon join the town’s business landscape.
“It’s a two-way street, that’s part of economic development,” said West. “You build and they will come, you build and people from other towns come.”
The influx of new businesses has also led to the expansion of housing options. As a result, the town has a few housing projects on its radar, with a particular focus on aiding those in need. That’s inspired by the success of initiatives like Pallet Village, a group of tiny homes providing shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
“We’re looking at some workforce housing, and we changed some coding to make them closer together so we could get more in there to make it affordable,” he said. “We’re also looking at a section of cottages. [The] small cottages would be a step up from the homeless shelter or ‘the Pallet Village.’”
Delaware
Delaware County Sheriff's Office investigating murder-suicide involving mother and two children
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office reported they found an abandoned vehicle with a deceased woman and two children inside on the morning of Nov 23.
The Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle was found near Highway 85 and East 340 Road.
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
They said a preliminary investigation identified the woman as Alisia Pena of Tulsa and two children belonging to her. Both children are under the age of ten.
The Sheriff’s Office said it believes the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide on the part of the mother, but the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.
2 News is working to learn more and will update this story as we learn more.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
31,000 LED lights and Christmas carols invite holiday cheer
Middletown resident Manny Duarte talks about the annual 31,000 LED lights display he mounts in his front yard to celebrate the Christmas season.
Benjamin Chambers, Delaware News Journal
From walks to drive-thrus, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a holiday light show this season.
Various shows and events are taking place throughout Delaware and across the Philadelphia region this year.
Here are nine holiday light shows to check out:
Longwood Gardens
Spectators of the holiday light show at Longwood Gardens are in for a special treat this year as “A Longwood Christmas” kicks off amid the opening of “Longwood Reimagined.”
The expansion features new spaces like the West Conservatory, which will offer new areas to deck out for the holidays.
Longwood Gardens, located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, launched its holiday light display on Friday, Nov. 22, and it will run daily through Jan. 12. To make a reservation, visit the sprawling garden’s website.
Address: 1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Website: longwoodgardens.org
Yuletide at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
Holidays at the Winterthur Museum on Route 52 features twinkling lights adorning the woodlands, a large-scale gingerbread house and an 18-room dollhouse, according to the museum’s website.
The holiday display will be open to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 5.
You can purchase tickets online or by calling the museum at 800-448-3883.
Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware
Website: winterthur.org/
Holidays at Hagley
Get a glimpse of Hagley Museum and Library around the holidays with a holiday home and garden tour.
The site features a gingerbread house contest, Santa day, holiday night tours and more.
The holiday experience at Hagley runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Purchase tickets online to schedule your holiday tour.
Address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville, Delaware
Website: hagley.org/
Drone show at the Riverfront
The Wilmington Riverfront during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 6, will host a drone holiday light show.
The free holiday light show will take place on the Riverwalk. For more information about the event, visit the Riverfront’s website.
Address: Michael S Purzycki Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware
Website: riverfrontwilm.com/event/drone-light-show
Shady Brook Farm
If you are willing to take a drive for a holiday light display, look no further than Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Shady Brook Farm.
You can drive through the holiday show yourself or take a wagon ride through. The holiday festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 23 and run through Jan. 5, 2025. Ticket prices are per vehicle and vary depending on the day of your visit.
The farm also features Santa’s Village with gifts, treats, firepits and a Candy Cane Lane walk-through.
Address: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Website: shadybrookfarm.com
Gift of Lights Dover
The Dover Motor Speedway will once again host its drive-thru holiday light show this year.
Tickets are priced per carload at $35 per car and $60 per bus or limo.
Address: 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover, Delaware
Website: giftoflights.ticketspice.com/gift-of-lights-dover
The Brandywine Railroad
Since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad has displayed model trains, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys as part of its annual holiday display.
The display also features interactive options like “push buttons and foot pedals” so visitors can engage with the train setup.
The holiday display began on Saturday, Nov. 16, and runs through Jan. 5. For more information visit the Brandywine Museum of Arts’ website.
Address: 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Website: brandywine.org/museum
Holiday Lights Express
Take a festive ride on 100-year-old heated coaches through the Red Clay Valley to see homes decorated for the holidays.
The Wilmington & Western Railroad hosts one-hour evening train rides during the month of December. To purchase train tickets, visit the venue’s website.
For a visit from Santa Claus, be sure to reserve train tickets for the Santa Claus Express.
Address: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner, Delaware
Website: wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights
NOËL at Nemours Estate
Experience the holidays at the Nemours Estate by touring the 77-room mansion, chauffer’s garage and gardens adorned in twinkling lights.
The estate also will feature live music performances throughout the season.
The festivities at the Nemours Estate began Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will extend through Sunday, Dec. 29. Purchase tickets on the estate’s website and reserve your visit.
Address: 1600 Rockland Road, Rockland, Delaware
Website: nemoursestate.org
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.
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