borough (town), seat (1786) of Chester county, southeastern Pennsylvania, U.S. It lies 27 miles (43 km) west of Philadelphia. Settlement began in the early 1700s, and Turk's Head Inn was established there in 1761; but the town's growth was delayed by a prolonged dispute with Chester (now in Delaware county) over the permanent location of the county seat. During the American Revolution, the Battle of the Brandywine (Brandywine, Battle of the) was fought (September 11, 1777) about 7 miles (11 km) south, and shortly thereafter the American general Anthony Wayne's (Wayne, Anthony) forces were surprised and routed by the British about 8 miles (13 km) northeast.

The borough is a trade centre with some light manufacturing. West Chester University of Pennsylvania was established in 1871. The former estate (now called Longwood Gardens) of industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (du Pont, Pierre Samuel) is situated in nearby Kennett Square. Inc. 1799. Pop. (2000) 17,861; (2007 est.) 18,223.