Media, Pennsylvania, the County Seat of Delaware County
About Media
Media Borough is the County Seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Located 12 miles (19 km) west of Philadelphia, Media was incorporated in 1850, and the county seat moved here from Chester the following year.
A planned community
Everybody’s Hometown
Media has been developed as a planned community with an infrastructure to support growth and commerce for years to come. Its active shopping districts, quiet residential streets, numerous civic and religious institutions, and convenient transportation facilities are all within easy walking distance of each other.
- 1850Year Media was incorporated
- 12 MilesWest of Philadelphia
- 0.8 Sq MiThe whole borough, on foot
- 5,900Residents (2020 census)
- 2006America’s first Fair Trade Town
The area
Greater Media Area
The Media Area is a geographical area surrounding and containing the Media Borough in Delaware County. While the town of Media is rather small in comparison to its surrounding area, many residents consider Media their home due to this town-center feeling.
As the county seat and the area’s main downtown, Media draws visitors from across the region. On weekdays, activity at the County Courthouse keeps the downtown busy during business hours.
The community
The People
Media’s strength has always come from the diversity and inclusiveness of its populace. Residents proudly call Media “Everybody’s Hometown.” This is much more than a slogan; it describes a very real state of mind. Whatever your walk of life, religion, race or ethnic background, Media is open to everyone.
Rooted in the Quaker tradition, area residents live by their actions and acknowledge each other with respect and kindness. A smile, a “Hello” on the street, a helping hand: a real community spirit is found in Media every day.
Getting around
A Walking Community
Convenience brings visitors and residents downtown to shop and eat. Availability of public transportation allows people to take the train to work, catch the trolley for a quick ride, or pick up that last-minute ingredient for dinner. Measuring only 0.8 square miles, Media’s proximity to everything makes it the ideal town for families and thriving businesses alike. Parks, schools and playgrounds, houses of worship, community centers, and the entertainment venues along State Street are all just minutes away on foot.
Explore
Notable Landmarks
Media is a town rich with landmarks that celebrate its history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re exploring the sweeping trails of Glen Providence Park, gathering at Borough Hall, or catching a show at the Media Theatre, there is no shortage of remarkable places that make Everybody’s Hometown a truly special destination.
D1 Trolley, Regional Rail, Routes 110 & 118
Transportation
Located between “The Blue Route” (476), Route 252, Route 1, and Baltimore Pike, Media is easily accessible by car. SEPTA’s D1 trolley (formerly Route 101) runs from 69th Street Transit Center in Upper Darby to the middle of State Street, Media’s main shopping district. SEPTA’s Media/Wawa Regional Rail line connects Media with downtown Philadelphia in about 45 minutes. Bus routes 110 and 118 provide public surface transportation to points around the region including Springfield Mall, Newtown Square, Chester, Riddle Hospital, and the Penn State Brandywine Campus.
Our history
Small Town, Big Impact
From its beginning, Media was different from most towns. It was laid out in 1848 on about 480 acres of farmland, including Sarah Briggs’s farm, to provide a more centralized location for the Court of Justice for Delaware County. The Borough profits from a carefully planned preliminary design that best utilizes its confined dimensions, business districts, shopping areas and residential neighborhoods that coexist naturally with a busy Court House schedule.
1800s The Fight for Freedom
In the mid-1800s, the area played a quiet yet crucial role in the Underground Railroad. Supported by Quaker networks and local Black communities, freedom seekers moved north along routes Harriet Tubman is known to have directed them toward, and Providence Friends Meeting was a known stop.
Late 1800s Elite Summer Retreat
By the late 19th century, Media had reinvented itself again, this time as a bustling summer escape for Philadelphia’s elite, connected by rail and lined with grand hotels. That legacy still shows up today in its striking mix of architectural styles and historic landmarks.
Mid 1900s Rock & Roll is Born
In June 1951, record producer Dave Miller recorded Bill Haley (of nearby Boothwyn, PA) and his group, The Saddlemen, covering the Ike Turner / Jackie Brenston R&B hit “Rocket 88” for his Holiday label. It was Haley’s first Rock & Roll recording and is often called the first rock & roll record by a white artist. Haley went on to record “Rock Around the Clock.”
2000s America’s First Fair Trade Town
What truly sets Media apart today is its global mindset. In 2006, it became America’s first Fair Trade Town, a title that reflects a community-wide commitment to ethical sourcing and social impact.
Fair Trade here isn’t just a label; it’s a philosophy. It means supporting farmers and workers with fair wages, encouraging sustainable practices, and reinvesting in communities worldwide. From better schools to improved infrastructure, the ripple effects stretch far beyond this small town.
Fair Trade Town
What does it mean to be America’s First Fair Trade Town?
By becoming a Fair Trade Town, Media has taken a meaningful step toward improving lives around the world. At its core, Fair Trade ensures that farmers and workers receive fair and stable compensation for their products and labor.
The impact reaches far beyond individual workers, strengthening entire communities by empowering women, keeping children in school rather than the fields, and supporting better infrastructure and long-term economic opportunity. In turn, growers can build sustainable businesses while producing quality products for people around the world.
When Media’s businesses and consumers choose Fair Trade products, they use their buying power to show that our sense of community extends beyond the boundaries of our small town. Every Fair Trade purchase is a small step toward a more equitable world, and together those choices are what it means to be a Fair Trade Town.