Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Delaware Valley (also known as the Philadelphia metropolitan area) on the western bank of the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The population of Chester was 32,605 at the 2020 census.

Incorporated in 1682, Chester is the oldest city in Pennsylvania and was the location of William Penn's first arrival in the Province of Pennsylvania. It was the county seat for Chester County from 1682 to 1788 and of Delaware County from 1789 to 1851.

From the second half of the 19th century through the first half of the 20th century, the city was a major center of heavy industry and manufacturing. The city became a boom-town during World War I and World War II. The availability of employment in factories and shipbuilding attracted immigrants from southern and eastern Europe and black workers from southern states. Since the mid-20th century it has lost most of its manufacturing base and has struggled as a post-industrial city dealing with crime, pollution, and poverty.

The city is home to Widener University, Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack, the Chester Waterside Station, the William Penn Landing Site, and Philadelphia's Major League Soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, whose home stadium, Subaru Park, is located in Chester.