Newark, Delaware
Encyclopedia
Newark (ˈ ) is an American city
in New Castle County
, Delaware
, 12 miles (19.3 km) west-southwest of Wilmington
. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware
.
settlers in 1694. The town was officially established when it received a charter from George II of Great Britain
in 1758.
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 of the school were three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Read
, Thomas McKean
, and James Smith
.
During the Revolutionary War, British and American forces clashed outside Newark at Battle of Cooch’s Bridge
. Tradition holds that the Battle of Cooch's Bridge was the first time that the Stars and Stripes
was flown in battle.
The state granted a charter to a new school in 1833, which was called Newark College. Newark Academy and Newark College joined together in the following year, becoming Delaware College. The school was forced to close in 1859, but was resuscitated eleven years later under the Morrill 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, Delaware College came into sole ownership of the State of Delaware. The school would be renamed the University of Delaware
in 1921.
Newark received a license from King George II to hold semi-annual fairs and weekly markets for agricultural
exchange in 1758. A paper
mill, the first sizable industrial venture in Newark, was created around 1798. This mill, eventually known as the Curtis Paper Mill, was the oldest paper mill in the United States until its closing in 1997. Methodists built the first church in 1812 and the railroad arrived in 1837.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.1 km²), all of it land. Originally surrounded by farm
land, Newark is now surrounded by housing developments
in some directions, although farmland remains just over the state lines in Maryland
and Pennsylvania. To the north and west are small hill
s, but south and east of the city, the land is flat (part of Newark falls in the Piedmont geological region and part of the city is in the Coastal Plain geological region, as is the majority of the land in the State of Delaware).
(approximately 55 miles (88.5 km) away) and is part of densely populated New Castle County
, there is a large amount of public parkland—over 12000 acres (48.6 km²) – surrounding the city. To the south is Iron Hill Park (part of the New Castle County Park System), to the west (in Cecil County, Maryland
) is Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, and to the North is White Clay Creek State Park
and White Clay Creek Preserve
(in Chester County, Pennsylvania
). Also nearby is Middle Run Valley Natural Area
, which is part of the New Castle County Park System. These parks provide ample hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding opportunities. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area and much of White Clay Creek State Park consist of land formerly owned by the Du Pont family
that was later ceded to the states of Maryland and Delaware, respectively.
of 2000, there were 28,547 people, 8,989 households, and 4,494 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,198.6 people per square mile (1,235.7/km²). There were 9,294 housing units at an average density of 1,041.4 per square mile (402.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.29% White, 6.00% Black, 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. 16.8% were of Irish
, 13.5% Italian
, 13.4% German, 10.2% English
and 5.1% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
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 was $48,758, and the median family income was $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.
and the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
. The Christina School district manages public education for Newark and environs and parts of Wilmington, Delaware
.
Christina School District schools located within the city limits are:
Newark is also home to a private Democratic Free School, The New School, that offers a non-traditional education opportunity to students of all ages.
(UD). The school has programs in a broad range of subjects, but is probably best known for its business
, chemical engineering
, chemistry
and biochemistry
programs, drawing from the historically strong presence of the nation's chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the state of Delaware. In 2006, UD's engineering
program was ranked number 11 in the nation by The Princeton Review
.
(an independent club operating within UD facilities) and at The Pond Ice Rink. In 2009, Sporting News ranked Newark 192 in its list of the 400 Best Sports Cities.
The University of Delaware offers 23 varsity sports, which compete in the NCAA Division-I. The athletic teams at Delaware are known as the Fightin'
Blue Hens.
, the main interstate highway through the northeast urban seaboard corridor, passes to the south of Newark on the tolled Delaware Turnpike
. Delaware Route 896 serves as the main north-south route through the Newark area, interchanging with I-95
to the south and continuing north through the city, bypassing the University of Delaware campus to the west. Major east–west highways through the Newark area include Delaware Route 273, which passes through the heart of Newark, Delaware Route 2 (Kirkwood Highway), which bypasses the city to the south on the Christina Parkway and to the east on Delaware Route 72
, with Delaware Route 2 Business passing through the city, and Delaware Route 4
, which also bypasses Newark to the south on the Christina Parkway.
The closest airport
to Newark is the New Castle County Airport in New Castle
. There is no regularly scheduled commercial air service at this airport. The nearest airport to Newark with commercial air service is at Philadelphia International Airport
.
Newark has a Rail Station
(Map, via Google Maps) located to the south of downtown near the University of Delaware campus that is serviced by both SEPTA and Amtrak
on the Northeast Corridor
. Newark is the last stop on the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line, one of the farthest points out on the system. SEPTA service to Newark involves 4 trains in both directions during the morning and evening rush hours, weekdays only. There is limited Amtrak service in Newark with one to two trains per day toward New York, and one train per day toward Washington. Newark is also served by two freight railroads
: Norfolk Southern, which provides freight service on the Northeast Corridor line, and CSX, which passes through the northern part of Newark.
Newark is served by DART First State
bus
es, routes #6, 16, 31, 33, 34, 39, 59, and 65, providing service to Wilmington
, the Christiana Mall
, and Elkton, MD
. Most routes travel through the university campus and also stop at the rail station. 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.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in New Castle County
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, 12 miles (19.3 km) west-southwest of Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
.
History
Newark was founded by Scots-Irish and WelshWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
settlers in 1694. The town was officially established when it received a charter from George II of Great Britain
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
in 1758.
Schools have played a significant role in the history of Newark. A grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
, founded by Francis Alison
Francis Alison
Francis Alison was a leading minister in the Synod of Philadelphia during The Old Side-New Side Controversy-Early life and education:...
in 1743, moved from New London, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to Newark in 1765, becoming the Newark Academy. Among the first graduates of the school were three signers of the Declaration of Independence: George Read
George Read (signer)
George Read was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of Delaware, and a member of the...
, Thomas McKean
Thomas McKean
Thomas McKean was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the American Revolution he was a delegate to the Continental Congress where he signed the United States Declaration of Independence and the Articles of...
, and James Smith
James Smith (political figure)
James Smith , was a signer to the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania....
.
During the Revolutionary War, British and American forces clashed outside Newark at Battle of Cooch’s Bridge
Cooch's Bridge
Cooch’s Bridge, located at Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware, is the site of the historic Battle of Cooch’s Bridge.-Battle of Cooch's Bridge:Fought on September 3, 1777, the Battle of Cooch's Bridge has two principal distinctions...
. Tradition holds that the Battle of Cooch's Bridge was the first time that the Stars and Stripes
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
was flown in battle.
The state granted a charter to a new school in 1833, which was called Newark College. Newark Academy and Newark College joined together in the following year, becoming Delaware College. The school was forced to close in 1859, but was resuscitated eleven years later under the Morrill Act
Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act
The Morrill Land-Grant Acts are United States statutes that allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges, including the Morrill Act of 1862 and the Morrill Act of 1890 -Passage of original bill:...
when it became a joint venture between the State of Delaware and the school's Board of Trustees. In 1913, pursuant to legislative
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
Act, Delaware College came into sole ownership of the State of Delaware. The school would be renamed the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
in 1921.
Newark received a license from King George II to hold semi-annual fairs and weekly markets for agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
exchange in 1758. A paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
mill, the first sizable industrial venture in Newark, was created around 1798. This mill, eventually known as the Curtis Paper Mill, was the oldest paper mill in the United States until its closing in 1997. Methodists built the first church in 1812 and the railroad arrived in 1837.
Geography
Newark is located at 39°40′45"N 75°45′29"W (39.679111, -75.758040).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.1 km²), all of it land. Originally surrounded by farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
land, Newark is now surrounded by housing developments
Housing developments
Housing developments are structured building development of residential properties. Popular throughout the US and UK, these are often areas of high density, low impact residences of single family homes....
in some directions, although farmland remains just over the state lines in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and Pennsylvania. To the north and west are small hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
s, but south and east of the city, the land is flat (part of Newark falls in the Piedmont geological region and part of the city is in the Coastal Plain geological region, as is the majority of the land in the State of Delaware).
Parks and natural areas
Despite the fact that Newark is located roughly halfway between Philadelphia (approximately 45 miles (72.4 km) away) and BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
(approximately 55 miles (88.5 km) away) and is part of densely populated New Castle County
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
, there is a large amount of public parkland—over 12000 acres (48.6 km²) – surrounding the city. To the south is Iron Hill Park (part of the New Castle County Park System), to the west (in Cecil County, Maryland
Cecil County, Maryland
Cecil County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is part of the Delaware Valley. It was named for Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore , who was the first Proprietary Governor of the colony of Maryland from 1632 until his death in 1675. The county seat is Elkton. The newspaper...
) is Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, and to the North is White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek State Park is a Delaware state park along White Clay Creek on in New Castle County, Delaware in the United States. The park, often known by its initials W.C.C.S.P., is near the Mason-Dixon Line. North of the park is Pennsylvania's White Clay Creek Preserve...
and White Clay Creek Preserve
White Clay Creek Preserve
White Clay Creek Preserve is a Pennsylvania state park along the valley of White Clay Creek in London Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was donated by the DuPont Company in 1984 for the purpose of "preserving the diverse and unique plant and animal...
(in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
). Also nearby is Middle Run Valley Natural Area
Middle Run Valley Natural Area
Middle Run Valley Natural Area is a nature park owned and maintained by New Castle County, Delaware in the United States. The park, known also by its initials MRVNA, is located east of downtown Newark amidst residential neighborhoods and other park land. Establishment of MRVNA was begun in 1975;...
, which is part of the New Castle County Park System. These parks provide ample hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding opportunities. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area and much of White Clay Creek State Park consist of land formerly owned by the Du Pont family
Du Pont family
The Du Pont family is an American family descended from Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours . The son of a Paris watchmaker and a member of a Burgundian noble family, he and his sons, Victor Marie du Pont and Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, emigrated to the United States in 1800 and used the resources of...
that was later ceded to the states of Maryland and Delaware, respectively.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 28,547 people, 8,989 households, and 4,494 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,198.6 people per square mile (1,235.7/km²). There were 9,294 housing units at an average density of 1,041.4 per square mile (402.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.29% White, 6.00% Black, 0.16% Native American, 4.07% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.53% of the population. 16.8% were of Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
, 13.5% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 13.4% German, 10.2% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 5.1% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
Of the 8,989 households, 20.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Median
In probability theory and statistics, a median is described as the numerical value separating the higher half of a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to...
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 was $48,758, and the median family income was $75,188. Males had a median income of $45,813 versus $33,165 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Primary and secondary schools
Public education in Newark is managed by the Christina School DistrictChristina School District
The Christina School District is a public school district located in Newark, Delaware. It is the largest public school system in Delaware.- Schools :High Schools: Christiana High School, , and Newark High School.Middle Schools: , , and...
and the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District is a public vocational-technical school district serving New Castle County, Delaware. Each year, one-fourth of all eighth-grade students attending New Castle County public schools apply for admission to a vo-tech high school...
. The Christina School district manages public education for Newark and environs and parts of Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
.
Christina School District schools located within the city limits are:
- Downes Elementary School (grades K-5)
- McVey Elementary School (grades K-5)
- Jennie E. Smith Elementary School (grades K-5)
- West Park Place Elementary School (grades K-5)
- Newark Charter SchoolNewark Charter SchoolNewark Charter School is a public charter school located in Newark, Delaware that serves children from kindergarten to eighth grade. As of June 2010, 1286 students were enrolled in the school. The school uses the Core Knowledge curriculum....
(grades K-8 - state-chartered school) - Glasgow High School (grades 9-12)
- Newark High SchoolNewark High School (Delaware)Newark High School is a public high school in Newark, Delaware and is one of three high schools within the Christina School District. It is also one of the oldest educational institutions in the state, graduating its first class of students in 1893. In 2009 it saw its 20,000th student graduate...
(grades 9-12)
Newark is also home to a private Democratic Free School, The New School, that offers a non-traditional education opportunity to students of all ages.
University of Delaware
Newark is home to the University of DelawareUniversity of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
(UD). The school has programs in a broad range of subjects, but is probably best known for its business
Business education
Business education involves teaching students the fundamentals, theories, and processes of business. Education in this field occurs at several levels, including secondary education and higher education or university education. Approximately 38% of student enroll in one or more business courses...
, chemical engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
programs, drawing from the historically strong presence of the nation's chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the state of Delaware. In 2006, UD's engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
program was ranked number 11 in the nation by The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is an American-based standardized test preparation and admissions consulting company. The Princeton Review operates in 41 states and 22 countries across the globe. It offers test preparation for standardized aptitude tests such as the SAT and advice regarding college...
.
Sports
Newark is a recognized center of US and international figure skating, mostly due to the many national, world, and Olympic champions (including many foreign nationals) that have trained at the University of Delaware Figure Skating ClubUniversity of Delaware Figure Skating Club
The University of Delaware Figure Skating Club was chartered in January 1986. The University of Delaware is home to the Blue and Gold arenas which serve as the home of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and the Delaware Ice Skating Science Development Center...
(an independent club operating within UD facilities) and at The Pond Ice Rink. In 2009, Sporting News ranked Newark 192 in its list of the 400 Best Sports Cities.
The University of Delaware offers 23 varsity sports, which compete in the NCAA Division-I. The athletic teams at Delaware are known as the Fightin'
YoUDee
YoUDee is the mascot of the University of Delaware. He is a "fighting Blue Hen" and is named after the state bird of Delaware. According to the University of Delaware, YoUDee's colors are Gold and Blue because his great-great-great-grandfather was awarded the Gold Medal for Valor during the...
Blue Hens.
Transportation
Several highways pass through the Newark area. Interstate 95Interstate 95 in Delaware
In Delaware, Interstate 95 runs diagonally from the border with Maryland northeast to the border with Pennsylvania. Between the Maryland state line and exit 5, I-95 is also designated as the Delaware Turnpike and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Along with its auxiliaries, I-95 is the only...
, the main interstate highway through the northeast urban seaboard corridor, passes to the south of Newark on the tolled Delaware Turnpike
Delaware Turnpike
The Delaware Turnpike, also known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, is an tolled highway that lies entirely within the state of Delaware. Running in a general southwest to northeast direction, paralleling nearby U.S...
. Delaware Route 896 serves as the main north-south route through the Newark area, interchanging with I-95
Interstate 95 in Delaware
In Delaware, Interstate 95 runs diagonally from the border with Maryland northeast to the border with Pennsylvania. Between the Maryland state line and exit 5, I-95 is also designated as the Delaware Turnpike and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Along with its auxiliaries, I-95 is the only...
to the south and continuing north through the city, bypassing the University of Delaware campus to the west. Major east–west highways through the Newark area include Delaware Route 273, which passes through the heart of Newark, Delaware Route 2 (Kirkwood Highway), which bypasses the city to the south on the Christina Parkway and to the east on Delaware Route 72
Delaware Route 72
Delaware Route 72 is a state highway located in New Castle County, Delaware. The route runs from Delaware Route 9 near Delaware City to Delaware Route 7 in Pike Creek. Parts of DE 72 were built as a state highway during the 1940s. By the 1940s, the route was designated between DE 2 and DE 7 along...
, with Delaware Route 2 Business passing through the city, and Delaware Route 4
Delaware Route 4
Delaware Route 4 is a state highway in New Castle County, Delaware. The route runs from Delaware Route 2 and Delaware Route 896 in Newark east to Delaware Route 48 in downtown Wilmington. What is now DE 4 was originally a county road that was paved in the 1930s...
, which also bypasses Newark to the south on the Christina Parkway.
The closest airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
to Newark is the New Castle County Airport in New Castle
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
. There is no regularly scheduled commercial air service at this airport. The nearest airport to Newark with commercial air service is at Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport is a major airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the largest airport in the Delaware Valley region and in Pennsylvania...
.
Newark has a Rail Station
Newark Rail Station (Delaware)
Newark Station is a station in Newark, Delaware on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, serving Amtrak Northeast Regional trains and SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line Regional Rail trains.- Service :...
(Map, via Google Maps) located to the south of downtown near the University of Delaware campus that is serviced by both SEPTA and Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
on the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
. Newark is the last stop on the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line, one of the farthest points out on the system. SEPTA service to Newark involves 4 trains in both directions during the morning and evening rush hours, weekdays only. There is limited Amtrak service in Newark with one to two trains per day toward New York, and one train per day toward Washington. Newark is also served by two freight railroads
Freight train
A freight train or goods train is a group of freight cars or goods wagons hauled by one or more locomotives on a railway, ultimately transporting cargo between two points as part of the logistics chain...
: Norfolk Southern, which provides freight service on the Northeast Corridor line, and CSX, which passes through the northern part of Newark.
Newark is served by DART First State
DART First State
The Delaware Transit Corporation, trading as DART First State is the primary public transportation system that operates throughout Delaware, USA...
bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es, routes #6, 16, 31, 33, 34, 39, 59, and 65, providing service to Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, the Christiana Mall
Christiana Mall
Christiana Mall is a super-regional mid-range/upscale shopping mall near Newark, Delaware, United States. The mall is near an exit off Interstate 95 close to the center of the BosWash megalopolis. The mall's anchor stores are Macy's, JCPenney, Target and Nordstrom. The mall contains more than 130...
, and Elkton, MD
Elkton, Maryland
The town of Elkton is the county seat of Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,893 as of the 2000 census and 14,842 according to current July 2008 census estimates. It is the county seat of Cecil County...
. Most routes travel through the university campus and also stop at the rail station. 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.
Notable residents
- Ann AlthouseAnn AlthouseAnn Althouse is an American law professor and blogger. Raised in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware , Althouse has a degree in fine art from the University of Michigan, B.F.A. 1973, and graduated first in her class from New York University School of Law, J.D. 1981. She clerked for Judge Leonard B...
, lawLawLaw is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
professorProfessorA professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and blogBlogA blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger, University of Wisconsin Law SchoolUniversity of Wisconsin Law SchoolThe University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:... - Tarzan CooperTarzan CooperCharles "Tarzan" Cooper was an American professional basketball player. He is mostly known for his time with the New York Renaissance ....
, professional basketball player - Harry CooverHarry CooverHarry Wesley Coover, Jr. was the inventor of Eastman 910, commonly known as Super Glue.-Life and career:Coover was born in Newark, Delaware, and received his Bachelor of Science from Hobart College before earning his Master of Science and Ph. D. from Cornell University...
, inventor - Dave DouglasDave Douglas (golfer)Dave Douglas was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s.Douglas hailed from Newark, Delaware. Early in his career, he held the position of club pro at the Newark Country Club from 1940 until October 1942. After World War II, he joined the PGA Tour...
, golfer - Tom DouglasTom DouglasTom Douglas is an American chef, restaurateur, and writer who won the 1994 James Beard Award for Best Northwest Chef.Born in Newark, Delaware, his first restaurant, Dahlia Lounge, opened in 1989. This was followed by Etta's Seafood and Palace Kitchen, which was nominated for Best New Restaurant by...
, award-winning Seattle chef - Richard HowellRichard HowellRichard Howell was Governor of New Jersey from 1794 to 1801.-Biography:Howell was born in Newark, Delaware. He was a lawyer and soldier of the early United States Army. He served as captain and later major of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment from 1775 to 1779. Richard was a twin, his twin brother was...
, Governor of New Jersey - K. C. KeelerK. C. KeelerKurt Charles "K. C." Keeler is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is the current head football coach at the University of Delaware, a position he has held since the 2002 season. Keeler served as the head football coach at Rowan University from 1993 to 2001...
, University of Delaware football coach - Judith LeClairJudith LeClairJudith LeClair , from Newark, Delaware, is an American bassoonist.She has been the principal bassoon in the New York Philharmonic since 1981 and on the faculty at the Juilliard School since 1985, LeClair began studying the instrument at age 11 and began her professional career at the age of 15 in a...
, musician - Jack A. MarkellJack A. MarkellJack A. Markell is an American businessman and politician who has been Governor of Delaware since 2009. Markell, a member of the Democratic Party from Centreville, in New Castle County, Delaware, served as State Treasurer of Delaware from 1999 to 2009 and was elected as the 73rd Governor of...
, State Governor - M. A. Muqtedar KhanM. A. Muqtedar KhanDr. M. A. Muqtedar Khan [محمد عبد المقتدر خان] is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, a Sufi and International Relations at the University of Delaware. He is also the founding Director of the Islamic Studies Program at the University of Delaware...
, Muslim-American intellectual and commentator - David RoselleDavid RoselleDavid Paul Roselle is an American mathematician and academic administrator who served as the ninth President of the University of Kentucky and the 25th President of the University of Delaware.-Early life and family:...
, former President of the University of Delaware - Dave Sheridan, actor, writer, producer
- Harold "Tubby" Raymond College Hall of Fame football coach
- Johnny WeirJohnny WeirJohn Garvin "Johnny" Weir is an American figure skater. He is a three-time U.S. National Champion , the 2008 Worlds bronze medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, and the 2001 World Junior Champion....
, U.S. figure skating champion - Vic WillisVic WillisVictor Gazaway Willis was a Major League Baseball player nicknamed "The Delaware Peach." He was a starting pitcher...
, Hall of FameNational Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumThe National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
baseball player - Shien Biau WooShien Biau WooShien Biau "S.B." Woo is an American professor and politician from Newark, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.- Early life and family :Woo's ancestral hometown is Yuyao, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province...
, former Lt. Governor
External links
- City of Newark
- Brief History of Newark
- Newark History
- A History of Newark, from 1757 to 1888 from Thomans J. Scharf's Chapter on White Clay Creek Hundred in History of Delaware, 1609–1888.
- Official Delaware Tourism Website's list of Newark Attractions
- Newark Housing Authority