Situated along the Delaware River, the city of Claymont occupies Delaware’s northeasternmost corner and is anchored by Philadelphia Pike, which cuts through the city. The former steel town of about 10,000 offers its locals suburban living within driving distance to both Wilmington and Philadelphia. “It’s on the borders of Pennsylvania and Delaware,” says Jemimah Chuks, a Realtor with EXP Realty and a top agent in Delaware. “People will find a bit of everything. It’s an old town with old-school, historic buildings, but it has a city feel rather than a country feel to it.”
Lined with national chains and locally-owned stops alike, Philadelphia Pike is a main artery of the city, which in turn is flanked by Interstates 95 and 495. “Philadelphia Pike is where everything is located,” says Amanda Bradford, a local Realtor with Crown Homes Real Estate. “There are tons of different restaurants, food options and grocery stores. It’s such a small area and it’s really catty-cornered into the top right of Delaware.”
The Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation is one part of the city’s aim to continue its improvements, as the project intends to attract more residents and boost Claymont’s economic growth. The CRDC also preserves the history of the area, using the Darley House as its headquarters; illustrator Felix Octavius Carr Darley called it home in the 19th century when he contributed art to works by such authors as Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Dickens.
Welcome to Claymont, a friendly suburb located between Wilmington and Philadelphia.
Claymont is a revitalized community that offers something for everyone.
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Low inventory of single-family homes and townhouses
Single-family homes and townhouses make up most of the residential landscape in Claymont, and the median price for a home is about $330,000. “The majority of Claymont is on the lower price range of things,” Bradford says. “One neighborhood is smaller ranch-styles, then you have colonials in another. They’re kind of all over the place. There are some really good neighborhoods. A lot of first-time homebuyers now are purchasing, and the whole area is being rehabilitated more and more.”
Ranch-style, Cape Cods, split-levels and colonial-style homes are some of the most common architectural styles in the city. Most single-family homes range between $300,000 and $400,000. Townhouses are mostly located within the Darley Green community in northern Claymont. Properties there can cost between $250,000 and $350,000, and some can climb to over $450,000. Low inventory means homes aren’t frequently available in the city, with properties staying on the market an average of five days in December of 2024. “People love Claymont, but there just aren’t a lot of houses available, so they go to Wilmington,” Chuks says.
Claymont’s cold winters often feature temperatures dipping below freezing, with around half a foot of snowfall on average in January.
Four square Colonial homes fill the streets at the center of Claymont, many with front porches.
Modern bungalow home on Commonwealth Ave in Claymont featuring a small yard.
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Dining stops along Philly Pike
Restaurants are concentrated on and around Philadelphia Pike, which runs parallel to the shoreline. “Philadelphia Pike goes right through Claymont,” Bradford says. “That’s where you’re going to find restaurants, grocery stores, hibachi places, pizza places and your basic staples.” Stops for barbecue and international fare like Chinese food, Mexican dishes and halal also sit along the same stretch. Grocery shoppers can head to a Food Lion or Asian Grocery & Halal Meat on Philly Pike, as well. “Philadelphia Pike is the one main road where everything is found,” Bradford says. For more expansive shopping, locals often head to the Christiana Mall, which sits about 16 miles north of the city and operates as Delaware’s largest shopping complex.
Grab a morning drink at Java Bean Cafe in Claymont.
One of Claymont's most popular lunch spots is Claymont Steaks on Philadelphia Pike.
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Nearby parks and winding trails
The most prominent parks in Claymont flank the spot where Interstate 495 flows into Interstate 95. Woods Haven Kruse Park and Knollwood Park each offer trails and open spaces. “Woods Haven Kruse Park is right across from the Claymont Library, so that’s probably where a majority of people go,” Bradford says. “Bellevue State Park and Rockwood Park are really close to Claymont.” Less than 5 miles south, Bellevue State Park spans over 300 acres and features trails, tennis courts, a pond, dense foliage and more. The Northern Delaware Greenway Trail also runs through part of New Castle County, spanning over 10, miles and is considered a National Recreation Trail.
A young boy gets some help negotiating the climber at Woods Haven Kruse Park.
Woods Haven Kruse Park provides a peaceful backdrop for outdoor activities in Claymont.
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A holiday landmark similar to Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree
One of Claymont’s annual traditions stays up throughout the holiday season. For over 30 years, the city has decorated the “Christmas Weed,” which was originally a sprig of fir growing out of Philadelphia Pike. The landmark is now a small-annually-reinstalled and decorated tree on the median, similar in some respects to the small tree from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The annual Claymont Christmas Parade began a few years after the "Christmas Weed" took root, and the tradition has even given way to a song.
On Philadelphia Pike, The Waterfall hosts weddings and other events, while the Claymont Public Library is the site of children’s book readings, adult book clubs and more. “Claymont is really close to Bellefonte, which has an arts festival every summer,” Bradford says, “and it’s parallel to Arden, which has the really popular Candlelight Theatre.” The Bellefonte Arts Festival spotlights vendors and local music, while the Candlelight Theatre puts on plays, comedy shows and more.
The Claymont Public Library is newly built and has great amenities for the community.
Grab a book and step outside of the Claymont Library to enjoy the weather.
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Highly-rated public and private schools
The Brandywine School District serves the Claymont area and receives an A-minus from Niche. It encompasses one early education center, nine elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools; several private schools are also in the area. “Archmere Academy is a really popular private school in Claymont,” Bradford says. “It’s a wedding venue as well as a private school.” While the private Catholic school rents out the patio area for events like weddings, it also scores an A-plus with Niche and runs from ninth to 12th grade. The University of Wilmington is less than 15 miles south of Claymont and has an enrollment of nearly 15,000 students.
Claymont Elementary School provides quality education to North Claymont residents.
Talley Middle School is a popular place to learn in Arden, DE.
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Highways to the east and west of Claymont
Residents are close to Interstates 95 and 495, which sandwich the city to the west and east, respectively. “It’s really, really close to an easy commute,” Bradford says. “It’s literally right next to I-95 and 495. You’re really close to Philadelphia, and the bridge to New Jersey is not too far either.” Wilmington is about 8 miles south, while Philadelphia is about 25 miles northeast. Some Claymont residents live in the city and commute to work in Wilmington or Philadelphia. 495 meets with Route 13 in the middle of the city.
DART buses provide public transportation on Philadelphia Pike, while the Claymont Regional Transportation Center facilitates bus and train travel and also provides charging ports for cars. “Within Claymont, there’s a train station, which is awesome,” Bradford says. “It goes to Newark, Center City and more.” Both Philadelphia International Airport and Wilmington Airport are less than 15 miles from the city. For medical needs, the Brandywine Medical Center and the Crozer-Chester Medical Center are both less than 10 miles from Claymont.
The newly built Claymont Train Station offers easy access to Wilmington and Philadelphia.
Major highways I-95 and I-495 are around the corner, making your commute a breeze in Claymont.
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Crime rates below the statewide frequency
According to the FBI crime database’s most recent statistics for New Castle County, there was a mean of 249.3 violent offenses each month in 2023. The mark was an increase from the previous year, which had an average of 246.9 violent incidents per month. Property crimes averaged 285.8 per month in 2023, and that total declined from 2022’s monthly mean of 289.1. As a whole, the county’s monthly frequencies of violent and property crimes were both below the state's rates.
Philadelphia Pike runs through the heart of Claymont and serves as its business corridor.
Get a scoop of your favorite ice cream on a warm day at Double Dipper in Claymont.
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