The 8 Best Wilmington Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025
The largest city in Delaware, Wilmington is just over 17 square miles in area, with 6.2 square miles of its area consisting of water.
According to the US Census, more than 71,000 people live in the city with 42 defined neighborhoods.
Payscale.com notes that the cost of living in the city of Wilmington is 4% higher than the national average, although utility costs there are 2% below the national average.
The average home price citywide is $312,440, according to Realtor.com. Some of Wilmington's neighborhoods are more desirable to live in than others, based on safety, affordability, walkability, and community feel. Here, we will explore the best Wilmington neighborhoods to call home in 2025.
Mid-town Brandywine
The Midtown Brandywine neighborhood in Wilmington is on the banks of the Brandywine River and adjoins the Wilmington commercial business district. It is bounded by Market Street, Adams Street, Delaware Avenue, and the Brandywine River. The neighborhood consists of 220 homes and over a dozen restaurants, cafes, and bars. Its central location and walkability appeal to many looking to relocate to the city, and the average home value of $385,000 is also a draw.
Established in the mid-1800s, today, Midtown Brandywine houses many green spaces such as Brandywine Park, H. Fletcher Brown Park, Kruse Playground, H.B. DuPont Park, Midtown Brandywine Pocket Park, and Brandywine Mills Park. Popular restaurants in the neighborhood include Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse and Mikimotos sushi restaurant. Delaware Administration for Regional Transit (DART) buses serve the area and provide convenient access to downtown Wilmington and other parts of the city. The ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital is about a mile south of Brandywine Village for medical needs. According to the Midtown Brandywine Neighbors' Association, the neighborhood is relatively safe due to its proximity to the hospital and support from the Wilmington police department.
Trolley Square
Trolley Square is a neighborhood with a young, lively vibe. While it is known for its bars, restaurants, and nightlife, the community is also attractive to those looking for a new home, who praise its walkability and average home values of $235,653. Bounded by Lovering Avenue, North Harrison Street, West 12th Street, and Conaty Park, the neighborhood includes local favorite hangouts such as Catherine Rooneys and the Crow Bar. Restaurants like El Diablo and Grotto Pizza are popular neighborhood eateries.
In addition to bars, restaurants, and eclectic shops, Trolley Square is also home to the Delaware Art Museum and Delaware Avenue Farmers' Market. Trolley Square is served by DART buses, with routes throughout the city and to other parts of the state. ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital is a mile and a half to the east of Trolley Square, convenient when medical needs arise. Those who live in Trolley Square describe it as a safe, child-friendly and dog-friendly community.
Happy Valley
The Happy Valley neighborhood of Wilmington is often described as an enviable one in which to live. It is located next to Brandywine Park, and is bounded by Adams Street, Van Buren Street (I-95), Wawaset Street, and Gilpin Avenue. Filled with 19th century rowhomes and townhomes, and with average home values of $333,676, it isn't hard to see why many are moving to Happy Valley.
The beautiful streets of Happy Valley are lined with white sycamore trees, and green space and serenity is easily found in adjoining Brandywine Park and the Brandywine River. Situated between Trolley Square and Midtown Brandywine, residents of Happy Valley have easy walking access to some of the best restaurants, shops, and museums found in those neighborhoods. Many who live there also appreciate the accessibility to I-95 and DART public transportation which can also get them to the AMTRAK station just north of the neighborhood. Philadelphia is just a 20-minute train ride or 40-minute car ride away. ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital is just a mile south of Happy Valley should emergencies arise. Residents of Happy Valley say that they feel safe living in the neighborhood.
Little Italy
Known for its abundance of restaurants, the Little Italy neighborhood is on the west side of Wilmington, bounded by 4th Street to the south, Union Street to the west, 11th Street to the north, and Clayton Street to the east. Homes in this close-knit, highly walkable neighborhood are quite affordable, averaging $172,417.
St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church is a central part of Little Italy, built in 1924 and, today, housing a school and a church. Some of Wilmington's best restaurants, like Mrs. Robino's, Rocco's Italian Grill, and Walter's Steakhouse, are in Little Italy. Residents say they feel safe living in this friendly, fairly quiet, community-minded neighborhood, but they do note that parking can be a problem, especially on weekends when visitors flock to the neighborhood. St. Francis Hospital on Clayton Street is in the heart of Little Italy and is easily accessible for medical needs. Public transportation via DART buses can take you to other parts of the city as well as to the AMTRAK station to travel outside of Wilmington.
Elsmere
Elsmere, a small town on the city of Wilmington's western border, consists of one square mile of land that is home to over 6,000 residents. It is so close to Wilmington that many consider it to be a city neighborhood, but it actually is its own town, with the motto, "A Wonderful Place to Live." Bounded by Little Mill Creek to the south, Brookside Avenue to the east, Elsmere Boulevard to the west, and Tatum Avenue to the north, Elsmere is filled with older, affordable homes averaging $270,500.
Life in Elsmere provides a blend of quiet living with convenient access to amenities in the larger city of Wilmington. Dating to the 1880s, the town is perfect for families, with its own fire and police departments. Residents are community-minded and close-knit. Elsmere is home to the Veterans Administration Medical Center, and is not far from other Wilmington hospitals such as St. Francis and ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital. Elsmere is served by DART buses for transportation into Wilmington and around the state. Elsmere was called the safest place to live in Delaware by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2017.
Baynard Village
Originally designed as a streetcar village over 100 years ago, the Baynard Village neighborhood of Wilmington is on the city's northern side. Its boundaries are I-95, the Brandywine River, Route 202, and 18th Street. Average home prices of $255,000 entice many to move to Baynard Village. The neighborhood is filled with early 20th century Victorian and Colonial homes, and is close to neighboring Brandywine Park and Haynes Park.
The Baynard Boulevard Historic District is also found within this neighborhood, and consists of 77 buildings dating between 1895 and 1930. The district, which includes the McCabe United Methodist Church and Beth Shalom Synagogue, is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Those who live in Baynard Village appreciate the proximity of Brandywine Park and its Brandywine Zoo, as well as museums, restaurants, and entertainment along the riverfront. ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital is about a mile south of the neighborhood. DART buses provide public transportation throughout Wilmington and to other parts of the state. The village is relatively safe one in which to live, with crime rates at the state average.
Quaker Hill
Wilmington's oldest residential neighborhood, Quaker Hill, west of the city's central business district, is bounded by 8th Street, Catawba and Washington Streets, 6th and 7th Streets, and Wollaston Street. Settled in 1738, it is another of the city's National Historic Districts, filled with 19th and 20th century residential and commercial buildings, including Gothic Revival and Italianate row houses. The neighborhood of 20 acres has 260 homes with an average price of $291,000.
The city's Quaker Meetinghouse and Cemetery are on Quaker Hill, which provides the neighborhood with its name. Those who live in Quaker Hill praise its walkability, historical character, strong community feel, and proximity to city amenities. Popular restaurants in the neighborhood include The Quoin and Cavanaugh's. Hospitals in the vicinity include Delaware Psychiatric Center, Nemours Children's Hospital, and ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital. DART provides public transportation services to Quaker Hill, making it easy to reach other parts of the city and state. Residents note that although they are adjacent to center city Wilmington, they feel relatively safe living in Quaker Hill.
Wawaset Park
Another National Historical District on Wilmington's western edge, the Wawaset Park neighborhood is bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, Woodlawn Avenue, 7th Street, and Greenhill Avenue. The neighborhood was once the grounds of Schuetzen Park, a horse racing and later auto racing track and fairgrounds. In 1917, the DuPont Company purchased the 50-acre area and renamed it Wawaset Park. Designed by noted architect Edward L. Palmer, this was a planned community providing housing for the company's executives. Homes there include Georgian mansions and Tudor cottages. Today, average home prices in Wawaset Park are a bit higher than in other Wilmington neighborhoods, averaging $451,103.
Streets in Wawaset Park are lined with mature trees and large lawns, and the neighborhood has a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Downtown shops and restaurants are easily accessible through using DART buses or on foot. Nemours Children's Hospital is just three miles northeast of Wawaset Park, and St. Francis Hospital is only a mile to the southeast. Crime in Wawaset Park is on par with the rest of the state.
Wilmington is a diverse city, and its neighborhoods certainly reflect its variety. Whether you are looking to live in the midst of the lively vibe of Trolley Square, appreciate the serene suburban feel of Elsmere, or are searching for a residential atmosphere in between, you are sure to find a welcoming community within the city of Wilmington to call home.
