Townsend is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. As of the 2020 census, Townsend had a population of 2,717. The center of population of Delaware is located in Townsend.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Townsend ranks

All →

#1Highest graduation rate in DE #1Safest in DE #2Highest income in DE All DE rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code19734

Area code302

Living in Townsend

Housing in Townsend

$500K▲ 3.1% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Townsend home is worth about $500,000, up 3.1% in a year, 23% above the Delaware typical home.

Only 2 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Townsend

Safety Grade A

Townsend reports less crime per resident than 88% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Townsend 1.7

Delaware 3.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Townsend 2.7

Delaware 15.8

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Townsend

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Townsend for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Middletown (14%), Wilmington (8%) and New Castle (4%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Middletown

14%

Wilmington

New Castle

Dover

1%Work in townlive and work in Townsend 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 281Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Townsend →

Health in Townsend

Health Grade A

Healthier than 86% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Delaware

13better than DE·4worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 15 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▲ 3 close Habits 1▲ 1▼ 2 close Care 1▲ 3▼ 3 close Mind 2▲ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

3.7%Fewer adults with heart diseaseDE 6.9% · better 4.1%Fewer adults with COPDDE 7.1% · better 18.2%More binge drinkersDE 14.2% · worse

Care nearby

Christiana HospitalNewark · 19.8 mi · ER

Westside Family Healthcare - Bear / New CastleBear · 14 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Townsend · CMS · HRSAHealth in Townsend →

Natural hazards in Townsend

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 24% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌵 Drought🥶 Cold waves

0Does Townsend flood?no paid flood claims on record 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Townsend

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Townsend →

Climate in Townsend

Full climate →

Townsend has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 20 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

45° / 27°Winter

64° / 43°Spring

85° / 65°Summer

67° / 47°Fall

How much snow does Townsend get?About 20 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 1, with the last in spring around Apr 7.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Townsend →

Schools in Townsend

All Townsend schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Townsend’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 83% of Delaware’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#12Best public schoolsof 31 in DE

DistrictAppoquinimink School DistrictSchools2

Townsend Elementary School A-Elementary · Grades 1–5 · 435 students Townsend Early Childhood CenterElementary · Grades K · 176 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within DE. Ratings are from neighbors.