NEWS AND UPDATES
Archived, June 2006
Census Bureau Releases Updated Population Estimates for Delaware Incorporated Places
Middletown gained the most population of all Delaware municipalities between 2000 and 2005, according to new estimates of population for Delaware incorporated places (PDF) by the US Census Bureau. According to the Census Bureau, Middletown gained more than 2,800 persons, to reach an estimated population of 9,121 in 2005, a gain of over 45%. Dover gained more than 2,200 persons, growing by nearly 7% to reach 34,288 persons. Smyrna grew by almost 1,700 persons, nearly 30%, to reach 7,413. Newark and Camden round out the top five population gainers, according to the Census Bureau.
The growth in Middletown and Smyrna can be attributed to large areas of annexation by those towns since 2000. The resulting new development has led to large numerical gains in population and to sizable percentage growth as well. Three municipalities (Newport, New Castle, and Elsmere) showed very slight loses in population over the same period, according to the Census Bureau.
County population estimates released in March showed that the state as a whole gained almost 60,000 persons between 2000 and 2005, a growth of almost 8%. Kent County grew by almost 14% over that period, gaining more than 17,000 persons. Sussex county showed a growth of almost 13%, gaining nearly 20,000 persons. New Castle County added nearly 23,000 persons to grow by almost 5%.
Among cities of more than 100,000 persons (a statistical universe that Delaware does not enter into), the fastest growing major US city was Elk Grove, California. That, according to the news release that accompanied the new incorporated place estimates released by the Census Bureau.
(6/22/06)
Up-To-Date Topographic Maps Now Available on Delaware DataMIL
The Delaware DataMIL now offers free up-to-date digital versions of the USGS 7.5-minute topographic map series for Delaware. The new "Delaware DataMIL 7.5-minute Series (Topographic) Quadrangle" maps use current geospatial data from the DataMIL to create large format (36" x 24") topographic-style maps. The new map product retains the original USGS Delaware quadrangle names, and includes map data "over the edges" of the quadrangle grid to accommodate the common 36-inch width of large format printers.
The new map product is Delaware's solution to the problem of continuing to provide the traditional "USGS Topo Map," on which many map users depend, now that the USGS has stopped production of new hard copy versions of the maps.
New DataMIL versions of the maps are generated semi-monthly and include the latest updates of the geospatial data sets that make up the Delaware Spatial Data Framework, including municipal boundaries, roads, streams, and land cover. They are accessible using the "Get Topo Map" tool in the DataMIL Map Lab.
The new maps are in the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format and can be downloaded and sent to a plotter or saved to disk. Users that do not have large-format plotting capability can take the file to a commercial copy center for printing.
(6/14/06)
Agenda Posted for June PLUS Review Meeting
An agenda (PDF) has been posted for the June 28 meeting of the Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS). The meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. in the first floor conference room of the Haslet Armory, on William Penn Street, in Dover. It will allow for review and comment by state agency planners on proposed land use changes. The Preliminary Land Use Service provide feedback to developers before they go before local governments, which have final approval authority. A map of the latest PLUS projects is also available.
(6/7/06)
Sandy Schenck Honored for Contributions to Delaware's Community of Geospatial and Geographic Data Users
William (Sandy) Schenck, of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS), was honored with the 2006 Geographic Community Service Award (PDF) at the annual Delaware GIS Conference on June 1, 2006, in Newark. Mr. Schenck was honored for his many years of leadership in the geospatial data community. (Full Story [PDF])
(6/1/06)
