Newark, Delaware
From Free net encyclopedia
Newark is a city located 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. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 28,547. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.
Newark is pronounced Template:IPA and not Template:IPA (like Newark, New Jersey).
Contents |
History
Newark was founded by Scots-Irish and Welsh settlers in 1694. The town received a charter from the King of England 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 George Read, Thomas McKean, and James Smith, all three of whom would go on to sign the Declaration of Independence. 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. 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
Image:DEMap-doton-Newark.png Newark is located at 39°40'45" North, 75°45'29" West (39.679111, -75.758040)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.1 km² (8.9 mi²). 23.1 km² (8.9 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water. 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 censusTemplate:GR 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. 2.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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. 20.1% of the population and 4.1% of families were below the poverty line. 7.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government
The current mayor of Newark is Vance A. Funk, III. The deputy mayor is Jerry Clifton.
City Council Members:
- Paul J. Pomeroy - District 1
- Jerry Clifton - District 2
- Karl F. Kalbacher - District 3
- David J. Athey - District 4
- Frank J. Osborne, Jr. - District 5
- Kevin J. Vonck - District 6
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 Newark High School, which is the third largest public high school in the state and part of the Christina School District, has served the community for over 100 years.
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.
Points of interest
External links
- DART First State
- SEPTA - Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
- Brief History of Newark
- Newark History
- University of Delaware
| State capital: Dover Counties: Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County |
