New Castle | USA Delaware

New Castle is a historic port city located on the Delaware River in New Castle County. It serves as a preserved colonial landmark and a residential hub within the greater Wilmington metropolitan area.

Historical Timeline

The city was founded by the Dutch West India Company in 1651 as Fort Casimir. Governance transitioned to the Swedish in 1654, back to the Dutch in 1655, and finally to the British in 1664. New Castle served as the first capital of the Delaware Colony and was the site where William Penn first landed in America in 1682. The primary event shaping the current urban form was the 19th-century bypass by the main railway lines, which inadvertently preserved the colonial and Federal-style architecture from modern industrial redevelopment.

Demographics & Population

The total population within city limits is approximately 5,551. The top three ethnic demographics are White (63.2%), Black or African American (24.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (7.4%). The median age is 44.8 years.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

The city is organized around a historic Public Market Green. The Historic District (East) contains the highest density of 17th and 18th-century structures and is the primary area for visitors. The newer residential developments and commercial zones are situated to the West and North along the Route 141 and Route 9 corridors.

Top City Landmarks

New Castle Court House Museum

Read House and Gardens

The Green (historic town square)

Old Dutch House

Amstel House

Transportation Network

Movement is primarily by private vehicle. DART First State provides bus service (Route 15) connecting the city to Wilmington. There are no metro or tram systems. Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft is available with moderate wait times. Taxis are dispatched from Wilmington. Traffic density is moderate, with peak congestion occurring on Route 13 and Route 141 during commuting hours.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The safety level in the Historic District is high. There are no specific "red zones" within the city limits, though standard urban awareness is advised in the more densely populated residential areas bordering the city's northern outskirts at night.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 400 Mbps via Comcast or Verizon. Main mobile carriers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Card acceptance is universal in the historic and commercial districts. ATMs are available in banks located on Delaware Street and Ferry Cut Off.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from -2°C to 5°C in winter and 20°C to 31°C in summer. Air quality is moderate, influenced by regional industrial activity and proximity to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Weather risks include tidal flooding of the Delaware River during high-tide storms or heavy rainfall.

Culture & Social Norms

Tipping of 18–20% is standard. Greetings are polite and informal. Dress code is casual. Delaware has no state sales tax, making the city’s small shops and boutiques attractive for tax-free shopping. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and parks.

Accommodation Zones

Stay in the Historic District for walking access to museums, the Delaware River waterfront, and 18th-century landmarks. Stay near the Route 13 corridor for modern hotel chains and easier highway access.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: USD 4.00

1 Standard Lunch: USD 18.00

1 Bus Ticket: USD 2.00

Nearby Day Trips

Wilmington, DE (10 km)

Fort Delaware State Park (15 km)

Newark, DE (20 km)

Philadelphia, PA (55 km)

Facts & Legends

A unique historical oddity is that New Castle’s city center is the center point for the "Twelve-Mile Circle," a circular boundary that defines the northern border between Delaware and Pennsylvania. Local legend tells of "The Ghost of the Dutch House," a spectral figure of a woman in colonial attire purportedly seen by caretakers looking out from the upper-story windows toward the Green.