The City of Chester, Pennsylvania — founded in 1644 and known as the Commonwealth’s first and oldest city — is a historic, diverse, and growing community located along the Delaware River just minutes from Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE. Chester is recognized for its rich heritage, strong neighborhoods, Chester Pride, and ongoing efforts to create a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant city for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Chester’s municipal government, led by Mayor Stefan Roots and Chester City Council (four members), is focused on delivering efficient public services, supporting economic development, and improving quality of life across all neighborhoods. The City is actively investing in infrastructure upgrades, affordable housing, environmental health initiatives, public safety improvements, parks and recreation, and youth programming — key priorities that contribute to Chester’s long-term revitalization and community well-being.

Major initiatives include the Grace Manor affordable homeownership development, significant enhancements to public works operations, expanded trail and park improvements, and partnerships that strengthen environmental justice and clean air efforts. These projects reflect the City’s commitment to sustainable development, healthy homes, and resilient neighborhoods.

Chester benefits from strong regional partnerships with organizations such as Widener University, the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County, the Philadelphia Union, Harrah’s, Chester Community Improvement Project (CCIP), and a wide network of local businesses and nonprofits. Together, these partners support job creation, educational opportunities, youth engagement, and neighborhood development — helping drive economic revitalization throughout the city.

With a strategic location, growing waterfront development, a dedicated community, and a clear vision for the future, Chester is emerging as a city of renewed opportunity. From historic landmarks and riverfront recreation to new housing, growing investment, and active community leadership, Chester is committed to progress while honoring its storied past.

Chester, Pennsylvania: Where history meets progress—and where residents, businesses, and partners work together to build a strong, sustainable future.

The City of Chester holds a unique and distinguished place in American history. Founded in 1644 by Swedish settlers who named the community Upland, Chester is recognized as Pennsylvania’s first and oldest city. In 1681, King Charles II granted William Penn the land that would become Pennsylvania. When Penn arrived a year later aboard the Welcome, he renamed Upland to Chester, after the English city of the same name, and designated it the location of the first provincial court.

Chester was incorporated as a borough on October 31, 1701, under Penn’s municipal charter, and later as a city on February 14, 1866. Throughout the colonial period and early American republic, Chester grew steadily as a center of commerce, governance, and riverfront activity.

For more than two centuries, Chester thrived as a bustling manufacturing and industrial hub. Its strategic location along the Delaware River, coupled with access to major railways, made the city an ideal home for industries including:

• Shipbuilding
• Steel and metal fabrication
• Machinery and locomotive production
• Textiles and clothing manufacture

These industries attracted waves of workers and fueled strong economic growth, shaping Chester into one of the region’s most important industrial centers.

Chester experienced two major population and economic booms in the early and mid-20th century, driven by the demands of global conflict:

Between 1910 and 1920, Chester’s population surged from 38,000 to 58,000, as workers migrated from across the country to take advantage of wartime manufacturing jobs. Housing construction, public services, and commercial development expanded rapidly to meet the needs of this growing workforce.

World War II brought another period of intense industrial activity. Chester’s shipyards, factories, and supporting industries operated around the clock to meet military demands. By 1950, Chester’s population peaked at over 66,000 residents, marking its height as a regional economic powerhouse.

Like many American industrial cities, Chester faced significant challenges in the post-war decades. Between the 1950s and 1970s, manufacturing companies increasingly relocated or scaled back operations. This shift led to job losses, population decline, and economic hardship. Many residents moved to suburban communities, mirroring national trends of urban migration and industrial restructuring.

Despite the challenges of post-industrial transition, Chester has continued to pursue revitalization through strategic investment, redevelopment, and strong public–private partnerships. Since the mid-1990s, the City has seen several major developments that have reshaped its waterfront, economy, and civic landscape, including:

• The Wharf at Rivertown
• Power Home Remodeling
• Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union
• Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack

These and other projects have helped catalyze reinvestment, attract new employers, and strengthen Chester’s regional presence.

Today, Chester is home to several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its rich heritage:

• 1724 Chester Courthouse – The oldest continuously standing public building in the United States.
• Sacred Heart Hospital
• Third Presbyterian Church
• Chester Waterside Station of the Philadelphia Electric Company
• Delaware County National Bank
• Old Main and Chemistry Building at Widener University
• Second Street Bridge
• William Penn Landing Site – Where William Penn first set foot in Pennsylvania.

From its origins as a colonial settlement to its evolution into a modern, resilient city, Chester’s history is a testament to adaptation, perseverance, and community strength.