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Newark, Delaware

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Main Street is the commercial heart of Newark. It is adjacent to the University of Delaware.
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Main Street is the commercial heart of Newark. It is adjacent to the University of Delaware.

Newark is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, 12 miles (19 km) west by south of Wilmington.  In 1900, 1,213 people lived in Newark, Delaware; 1,913 lived here in 1910.  The population was 28,547 at the 2000 census. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.  


Newark is pronounced /nuɑɹk/ and not /nuɚk/ (like Newark, New Jersey).





Contents





History

Newark was founded by Scots-Irish and Welsh settlers in 1694.  The town received a charter from George II of Great Britain in 1758, thus officially establishing Newark.


Schools have played a significant role in the history of Newark.  A grammar school, founded by Francis Alison in 1743, moved from New London, Pennsylvania to Newark in 1765 becoming the Newark Academy.  Among the first graduates from the school included three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Read, Thomas McKean, and James Smith. 


The state granted a charter to a new school in 1833, which was called Newark College.  Both schools joined together in following year, becoming Delaware College.  The School was forced to close in 1859, but was resuscitated eleven years later under the Morill Act when it became a joint venture between the State of Delaware and the School's Board of Trustees.  In 1913, pursuant to legislative Act, it came into sole ownership of the State of Delaware.  Later, it would be renamed the University of Delaware in 1921.


Newark received a license to hold semi-annual fairs and weekly markets for agricultural exchange in 1758. A paper mill, the first sizeable industrial venture in Newark, was created in 1798.  Methodists built the first church in 1812 and the railroad arrived in 1837.



Geography


Location of Newark, Delaware

Newark is located at [39°40′45″N, 75°45′29″W] (39.679111, -75.758040)[Geographic references#1GR1].


According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.1 km² (8.9 mi²), all land.   Originally surrounded by farmland, Newark is now surrounded by housing developments in all directions.  To the north are small hills, but in other directions, with some exceptions, the land is flat.



Demographics

As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 28,547 people, 8,989 households, and 4,494 families residing in the city.  The population density was 1,235.7/km² (3,198.6/mi²).  There were 9,294 housing units at an average density of 402.3/km² (1,041.4/mi²).  The racial makeup of the city was 87.29% Caucasian, 6.00% African American, 0.16% Native American, 4.07% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.53% of the population.


Of the 8,989 households, 20.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.0% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.91.


In the city the population was spread out with 12.5% under the age of 18, 43.6% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 85.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.


The median household income is $48,758, and the median family income is $75,188. Males had a median income of $45,813 versus $33,165 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,376.  About 4.1% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.



Government

The current mayor of Newark is Vance A. Funk, III.  The deputy mayor is Jerry Clifton.


City Council Members:



Education

Public education in Newark is handled by the [Christina School District] and the [Red Clay Consolidated School District].  Newark is home to the University of Delaware.  Within the city limits is Newark High School, which is the third largest public high school in the state.  It has served the community since 1893.



Description of Newark

Newark has a central area which is compact and walkable, consisting of the university, Main Street, and surrounding residential neighborhoods.  The city limits also include less densely developed areas with shopping centers, suburban developments, and apartment complexes; these areas are more isolated and less pedestrian friendly.  The center of Newark is a lively place due to the University.  Much of the city's economy revolves around the presence of the university.   Local young people consider Main Street a popular "hangout."


Although manufacturing industries once existed in Newark, they have almost all been moved elsewhere.   The mills along White Clay Creek have been turned into shops, restaurants, and condos.  The large factory that once dominated the southeast of Newark was torn down and replaced by student apartments.  As is the case in much of Delaware, there has been some concern for the presence of toxic chemicals on recently re-developed land.


Newark seems to have an unusually large (and vocal) population of the Song Sparrow.



Public Transportation in Newark


Newark's access to public transportation is outstanding for a community of its size, and this public transportation is underutilized.  Newark is served by DART First State buses, routes #6,16,33,34, and 65, providing service to Wilmington, Christiana Mall, and Elkton, MD.  Most routes travel through the university campus and also stop at the rail station, discussed below.  There is also a Unicity bus, run jointly through the city and the University, free for everyone to ride, which acts as a community circulator.  The University of Delaware also operates a bus system, available and free to all students and those associated with the university.


Newark has a Rail Station, ([Map, via Google Maps]) serviced by both SEPTA and AMTRAK.  Newark is the last stop on the R2 (SEPTA) line, one of the farthest points out on the system.  SEPTA service to newark involves 4 trains both directions with the morning and evening rush hours, weekdays only.  Fare is 5.50 one way, to downtown Philadelphia, and 2.00 to Wilmington.  The AMTRAK service in Newark is less practical; there is only one train per day in each direction.  However, the Acela Express stops in nearby Wilmington, Delaware.



Noted Residents, Past and Present



Points of interest



External links









 


 



 State of Delaware
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