Townsend is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), all land.

[citation needed] The name comes from a businessman and Delaware Democrat, Samuel John Townsend.

Between 1845 and 1855 brothers Samuel and John Townsend purchased several large tracts of farmland in the vicinity.

This led to a period of sustained growth for the town, as the railroad station became the principal shipping point for the area's agricultural products.

The station was named Townsend after the area's major land owners.

The peach industry was a vital contributor to the area's growth and prosperity until disease destroyed many Delmarva orchards in the late 19th century.

[6] The town has since created a "Comprehensive Development Plan", as required by state law February 2003, for land preservation.

- 2007 Charles Murry (Town Records) Delaware Route 71 runs northwest–southeast through the eastern part of Townsend.