Living in Darby PA can give you so many opportunities! According to Wikipedia, the Lenape people lived in the Darby area for thousands of years before seven Quaker families arrived in 1682. They formed a small farming community, naming it “Darby” after the city of Derby, England. Darby remained a hub for the Quaker community in Pennsylvania for centuries. The state government incorporated Darby as a borough in 1853. Very few people began moving to Darby until the early 1900s, when the town began to industrialize.
Darby today is a family-friendly suburb of Philadelphia. It is a nice place to live, with top parks, affordable homes for rent, and great health care. Darby is best known today for its rich history, being home to one of the oldest public libraries and volunteer fire departments in the country.
Plenty of people are moving to Darby today. But before you start thinking about living in Darby PA, you should learn more about what Darby offers residents. Here’s your guide on living in Darby PA.
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Where Is Darby?
Darby is in Delaware County, inside the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Darby is a suburb of Philadelphia, and it is 6.4 miles from Darby to Philadelphia, specifically Center City. Darby has a small border with Philadelphia, and it also borders Delaware County cities like Colwyn, Sharon Hill, Collingdale, Aldan, and Yeadon.
Darby is a dense and well-developed borough, containing mostly homes. It has a few parks, with Darby Creek snaking through the western and southern portions of the community. Cobbs Creek forms the community’s eastern border.
Darby is home to the Darby Transit Center, a major public transportation hub in the SEPTA system. You can take buses along Bus Route 113, Bus Route 114, and Bus Route 115 and trollies along Trolley Route 11 and Trolley Route 13. These routes make stops in and around Darby and connect the community to Center City Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, and other destinations. You can use the SEPTA system maps to see what routes and stops are in and around Darby. Many people use SEPTA for moving to Darby. You can also use US Route 13 for driving to nearby cities and moving to Darby.
Darby Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Darby population in 2024 was 10,749, up by 0.6% since 2010. The Darby population has fallen in recent decades, though Darby remains one of the largest boroughs in Delaware County. The Darby population density in 2020 was 12,725.7 people living in Darby PA per square mile, over four times higher than the county density.
Notable people living in Darby PA include WC Fields, Frank Sheeran, and Monica Horan. Notable Darby demographics include:
- 53.2% female, 46.8% male
- Median age of people living in Darby PA: 35.7
- Racial and ethnic composition of residents living in Darby PA: 85.7% Black or African American, 9.6% White (9.6% non-Hispanic), 4.3% two or more races, 1.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.2% Asian
- Median household income of people living in Darby PA: $45,128 (roughly 60% of the state median)
- Educational attainment of residents living in Darby PA: 87.6% of Darby residents over 25 have graduated from high school, 16.2% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of people living in Darby PA: 18.7%
Darby is a minority-majority community and a hub for the Black and African American communities in Pennsylvania. It’s also a hub for children and teenagers. 28.3% of people living in Darby PA are under the age of 18, nearly 1.5 times higher than the Pennsylvania rate. 74% of Darby residents are single, with half of the residents having never been married. 7.2% of residents living in Darby PA are veterans, with over 300 Vietnam War veterans in Darby.
Here are the latest crime rates for Darby:
- Overall crime rate: 2,520 offenses per 100,000 people living in Darby PA (37.1% lower than the Philadelphia crime rate, 36.6% higher than the Pennsylvania crime rate, 10.5% higher than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 363 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Darby PA (36.4% higher than the Pennsylvania crime rate, 0.3% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 2,157 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Darby PA (36.6% higher than the state rate, 12.5% higher than the national rate)
While Darby may have a high overall crime rate, there are many safe places to live in Darby. According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, the majority of crimes are property crimes like larceny and petty theft, which occur among businesses, not homeowners. Crime rates have been down since 2024, with fewer violent and property crimes occurring. As long as you follow basic security precautions, you can avoid crime while living in Darby PA.
The Darby Borough Police Department employs 16 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Darby.
Cost of Living in Darby
Darby borders Philadelphia, so you can use Philadelphia cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Darby. The Philadelphia cost of living index is 101.5, meaning items in the area cost 1.5% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Philadelphia area would need to earn $119,614 a year to cover their cost of living. Child care is pricey, costing $2,090 a month and $25,080 a year, so singles and couples living in Darby PA without kids can live an affordable life.
Darby real estate is very affordable. According to Redfin, the median sale price of Darby homes for sale is $217,450, with a median home price per square foot of $161. Statistics for the average rent of Darby apartments are hard to find, as there are very few apartment buildings in Darby.
Typical Darby* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $4.60
- 1 pound of apples: $2.75
- 1 pound of onions: $1.30
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.41
- Average Darby* utilities per month: $269.29
- 1 pair of jeans: $50.93
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Philadelphia
Darby Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Darby
Darby does not have any formal neighborhoods, due to its small size. You can find Darby homes for sale throughout the community, most of which cost less than $200,000. Twin homes are very popular in the community. Twin homes in Darby tend to have two or three bedrooms and between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet of space, making them suitable for couples and small families. Some homes are sold as-is and require extensive renovations prior to moving in.
Options for single-family Darby homes for sale are limited. You can buy recently renovated townhomes and properties that are move-in ready. These properties tend to be more expensive, costing between $200,000 and $250,000.
While there are no major complexes for Darby apartments, there are plenty of options for homes for rent in Darby PA. Homes for rent in Darby PA have similar features to homes for sale. They tend to be twin homes with two or three bedrooms and around 1,200 square feet of space. Most are move-in ready and have new appliances, so you don’t need to update the kitchens or bathrooms. Prices vary, with most homes for rent costing around $1,500 a month.
Darby Weather and Climate
Darby has a humid subtropical climate, with warm and rainy summers and cold and snowy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the warmest month of the year, with an average temperature of 78 degrees and an average high of 86. Temperatures remain warm until mid-September and decline steadily through the fall. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 33 degrees and an average low of 27. Average low temperatures are below freezing between mid-December and early March.
Darby receives 38.2 inches of rain and 18.5 inches of snow on average every year. May, June, July, and August each have at least 10 rainy days. The high amount of rain creates humidity, with over half of summer days being humid, muggy, or oppressive. Darby doesn’t experience severe weather regularly, though you should still check Darby weather forecasts to be safe. You may want to stay indoors on high-humidity days, especially if you have asthma or respiratory problems.
September is the best month to visit and start moving to Darby. It has 63% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days and an average temperature of 69 degrees. You can stay comfortable in a short-sleeved shirt on most days, and you can wear a long-sleeved shirt without a jacket on colder days. Outdoor destinations in Darby and Upper Darby, like Collingdale Park, are open during September.
Things to Do in Darby
Darby may be small, but you can find top things to do in Darby, including unique stores! Produce Junction and Save Mart are top grocery stores. The Darby Town Center is the top shopping mall in Darby, home to Family Dollar, Hilldale Kitchen, and Darby District Court.
First Baptist Church of Darby
The First Baptist Church of Darby is one of the top churches in Darby. It’s home to a number of ministries, including deacon and deaconess ministries for people living in Darby PA who want to give back to their community.
925 Summit Street, Darby, PA, 19023, 610-586-0179
Collingdale Park
Collingdale Park is one of the top outdoor destinations in Darby. The park contains a football field, two baseball/softball fields, and a walking track.
501 Jackson Avenue, Collingdale, PA, 19023, 610-586-0500
Westmont Park
Westmont Park is a small community park with a kid-friendly playground and all-purpose fields. It’s one of the best things to do in Darby during spring and summer days.
1100-1198 Felton Avenue, Collingdale, PA, 19023
Additional Things to Do in Darby
The Darby Borough Parks and Recreation Department protects parks and public spaces and plans special events throughout the year, including Easter Egg hunts. You can view the Borough of Darby events calendar to see what events will take place in Darby.
Restaurants in Darby PA
Philadelphia is well known for its unique cuisine, with classic dishes like cheesesteaks, funnel cakes, and soft pretzels. You can enjoy a range of great dishes in restaurants in Darby PA, including family friendly experiences.
Crab Tavern
Crab Tavern is a bar and seafood restaurant well known among people living in Darby PA for its live music and karaoke. You can enjoy classic seafood dishes like mussels, jumbo shrimp, and fried tilapia.
201 North MacDade Boulevard, Darby, PA, 19023, 610-534-7988
Musu’s Spot
Musu’s Spot is a unique Liberian restaurant that serves chicken, seafood, and other specialties. All dishes are available for take-out, making Musu’s Spot the best restaurant in Darby for a quick meal.
75 South MacDade Boulevard, Collingdale, PA, 19023, 610-461-1531
Femi’s Pizza
Femi’s Pizza is a family-friendly pizzeria with one of the largest menus among restaurants in Darby PA. You can order dozens of different pizzas, strombolis, and calzones, as well as pasta and sandwiches.
907 Clifton Avenue, Collingdale, PA, 19023, 484-494-4802
Jobs in Darby PA
According to DataUSA, 3,684 people have jobs in Darby PA. The job market has shrunk since the pandemic due to business closures, but you still have opportunities for high-paying jobs. Health care is the single biggest job sector in Darby, accounting for 32.7% of Darby jobs. It has median earnings of over $85,000 a year. Retail trade, educational services, and public administration are three other large sectors.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Darby is $72,000 a year, with an average hourly rate of $22.22. Top employers in Darby include Walmart, McDonald’s, and the United States Postal Service (USPS). You can research jobs in Darby PA using Indeed, and you can apply for Borough of Darby jobs on the borough government’s website.
Darby Schools
The William Penn School District is the official Darby school district that serves all students living in Darby PA. A few different elementary schools serve students living in Darby PA. You can use the William Penn School District elementary school map to see which school your student will go to. US News ranks Aldan Elementary School as the best elementary school that serves Darby students. It has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, meaning your children will receive individualized support.
All Darby students attend Penn Wood Middle School and Penn Wood High School. Penn Wood High School is unique for having a ninth-grade academy, allowing ninth-graders to transition into a high school education. Penn Wood High School offers career academies and pathways, allowing students to pursue specialized classes in the arts, business administration, and STEM.
Blessed Virgin Mary School is the top private school in Darby, providing a Catholic PreK-8 education. The Darby Free Library is one of the oldest libraries in America, and it serves all people living in Darby PA.
Darby Statistics and Information
- County: Delaware County
- Darby area: 0.84 square miles
- Darby zip code: 19023
- Darby area code: 484 and 610
- Darby elevation: 79 feet
- Darby time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Darby: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), 3.8 miles from Darby
Darby Map
You can use this map of Darby to find the best things to do, public transportation, and restaurants in Darby!
Start Living in Darby PA
Living in Darby PA is perfect for just about everyone! Families with young children can enjoy the great schools and parks, while singles and couples can enjoy affordable housing close to public transportation.
You can figure out moving to Darby in no time. Suburban Solutions has the best Darby movers, with over 5,000 successful moves. Call 610-314-6868 for a free estimate for moving to Darby.
