Upper Darby
RANK #593 / 996 NAT · #27 / 44 PA · POP 575,312
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 scores 40/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#593). Median household income is $86,390 and job growth is running at -0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Delaware County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $289,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,257/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Delaware County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs -0.2%. Home values shifted +1.9% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.13% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Delaware County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.