Located in the southern-most of three counties in Delaware, Harrington is a small town with a big heart. Harrington began as a one-family town in the early 1770s with one tavern. The only residents were the Benjamin Clark family. Continued growth saw Harrington become a city in 1936. Today, its current population of 3,500 is comprised of 75 percent Caucasians whose ratio is 100 adult females to 87.1 males. Occupying 1,223 homes, the average family size is 3, with 37 percent being children below 18 years of age. In this laid-back, everybody knows everybody community, the average income is $44,000, while the statewide average being $54,000. The median home value is $149,000 with the statewide median being $249,000. Harrington, Delaware business directory includes entries for horse breeding and supplies. The Harrington, Delaware yellow pages list ranges from restaurants, motels and churches to a blacksmith.
Originally home to 4 canneries used to process food by farm families for winter use, by 1900 the town was home to 4 garment factories cooperating with New England textile mills to produce shirts and trousers. In addition to garment factories, Harrington owes its growth and development to its inclusion on the Delaware railroad system around 1869. At the Messick Agricultural Museum in Harrington, visitors have the opportunity to see the very first John Deere tractor along with a horse-drawn hearse and antique farm tools.
Due to its rural atmosphere and character, Harrington is home to the Delaware State Fair which injects approximately four-million dollars into the local economy attracting some 265,000 visitors each July. One of the highlights of this 10-day event is grandstand appearances by such artists as Carrie Underwood and New Kids on the Block. The fairgrounds are the year-round home of Midway Slots with 1327 machines generating $10,000 monthly attracting 1.5 million visitors yearly.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
