MIDDLETOWN — Mission accomplished for town officials who envisioned a municipality with great schools, businesses covering all needs, strong youth sports programs, recreational parks and more.
Longtime Middletown Mayor Ken Branner said the southern New Castle County town has grown in quality and quantity, something others have recognized as well.
For the second straight year, Middletown was ranked No. 23 among the 50 best places to live by Fortune magazine in its Best Places to Live for Families list.
The nod confirmed that Middletown’s 20-year comprehensive plan was a success, Mayor Branner said and that the award “really is a big deal.”
For Mayor Branner, who has held the office since March 6, 1989, “We always had the vision here where people could stay, not have to go somewhere else to shop or go do whatever and we’re there.
“We feel good about where we are, the residents feel good about where we are ... The fact that other people recognize it is good. We’ve always thought that and hope everyone else feels that way.”
Fortune noted that “The small town, with a population of just under 25,000, has blended historical charm with residential growth. Its downtown features a selection of boutiques, eateries and breweries.
“One of the most popular venues is Crooked Hammock Brewery, featuring live music, craft beer and lawn games like cornhole for the kids.
“On weekends, Middletown hosts a farmers’ market, and culture seekers can delight in concerts and films at the Everett Theatre, which dates back to the early 20th century.”
Also, according to Fortune’s synopsis, “The area has a big family-friendly appeal. Charles E. Price Memorial Park offers two playgrounds where kids can release their energy, a fishing pier, a long path for strolling and a dog park.
“Every summer, Middletown hosts the Olde-Tyme Peach Festival in honor of its first cash crop that helped kick off the town’s population boom in the 19th century. The festival delivers everything from a peach parade to a peach pie contest.”
Sandy, Utah ranked just ahead of Middletown at No. 22, and Iowa City, Iowa is No. 24.
Fortune’s top 10 list is:
• Silver Spring, Maryland
• Upper Merion, Pennsylvania
• Chantilly, Virginia
• Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Mason, Ohio
• Franklin, Tennessee
• Layfayette, Colorado
• Overland Park, Kansas
• Morristown, New Jersey
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Among the critical factors Fortune said earned Top 50 inclusion among more than 2,000 cities nationwide were health care, education, affordability and resources for seniors.
Fortune also noted the quality of public schools in the Appoquinimink School District.
Citing sources ATTOM, U.S Census Bureau, Healthgrades, Caring.com, Sharecare, National Center for Education Statistics and Kaiser Family Foundation, Fortune provided Middletown information:
Median sale price for single family residences (2022) - $516,004
Median household income -$105,729
Racial and ethnic makeup of current residents -Asian: 5.3%, Black: 29.8%, Hispanic: 9.1%, White: 52.9%
Racial and ethnic makeup of U.S. - Asian: 5.9%, Black: 12.3%, Hispanic: 19.7%, White: 61.2%
High school district graduation rate (averages of districts were applied when necessary) - 95.54%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles recommended by over 50% of patients - 5
Number of above-average nursing homes within 50 miles, per 100,000 households -25
Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score (out of 100) - 64.
Financial Well-Being Index Score (out of 100) -61.
Middletown ranked No. 5 by Fortune in 2023, trailing only:
• Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• Silver Spring, Maryland
• Tualatin, Oregon
For information, visit fortune.com .
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