Editing Bear, Delaware

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Bear, Delaware
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = WHITE HALL, BEAR, NORTHERN NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = [[White Hall (Bear, Delaware)|White Hall]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = New Castle County Delaware incorporated and unincorporated areas Bear highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County]] and the state of [[Delaware]].
| pushpin_map             = Delaware#USA
| pushpin_label_position  = top
| pushpin_label           = Bear
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location within the state of Delaware

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Delaware]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Delaware|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_10.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 14.98
|area_land_km2            = 14.98
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 5.78
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.78
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 23060
|population_density_km2   = 1539.25
|population_density_sq_mi = 3986.86

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 21
|elevation_ft             = 69
|coordinates              = {{coord|39|37|45|N|75|39|30|W|region:US-DE|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 19701
|area_code                = [[Area code 302|302]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 10-04130
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 216026<ref>{{cite gnis|216026|Bear}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Bear''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County]], [[Delaware]], United States. The population was 19,371  at the [[United States Census, 2010|2010 census]].

Originally a small crossroads in a rural area, approximately {{convert|14|mi}} south of [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]], the area supported small farms growing mainly corn and cattle. In the late 1980s and 1990s Bear became a popular location for the construction of sprawling [[housing development]]s and shopping centers<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1aezZ5e3hokC&q=suburban|title=New Castle County|isbn=9780738585574|last1=Rendle|first1=Ellen|year=2010|publisher=Arcadia }}</ref> along [[U.S. Route 40 in Delaware|U.S. Route 40]]. Much of Bear runs along the highway, and extends to approximately [[Delaware Route 896]].

==History==
According to common legend, the name "Bear" originated from a tavern located along the roadway from Wilmington to [[Dover, Delaware]] (at the intersection now formed by [[U.S. Route 40 in Delaware|U.S. Route 40]] and [[Delaware Route 7]]), whose sign was decorated with the image of a large bear, and which [[George Washington]] had reportedly visited.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Robin|url=https://eu.delawareonline.com/story/insider/2015/03/12/insider-backstory-odd-delaware-place-names/70215632/|title = The backstory on odd Delaware place names|work=The News Journal|date=March 12, 2015}}</ref>

Bear's population was 50 in 1890,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cram |first=George Franklin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CPAwAQAAMAAJ&q=cram%2527s+1885+atlas&pg=PA330 |title=Cram's Universal Atlas: Geographical, Astronomical and Historical, Containing a Complete Series of Maps of Modern Geography, Illustrated by Numerous Views and Charts; the Whole Supplemented with Valuable Statistics, Diagrams, and a Complete Gazetteer of the United States |date=1887 |publisher=G.F. Cram |page=356 |language=en}}</ref> and was 59 in 1900.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AzrWecxN1wC |title=Cram's Modern Atlas: The New Unrivaled New Census Edition |date=1902 |publisher=J. R. Gray & Company |page=84 |language=en}}</ref>

In later years, Bear has had a history of being centered around shopping centers and neighborhoods located along U.S. Route 40.

[[White Hall (Bear, Delaware)|White Hall]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1990.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==
Bear is located at {{coord|39|37|45|N|75|39|30|W|type:city}} (39.6292788, -75.6582628).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|5.7|sqmi|km2}}, all  land.

Bear is located approximately 14 miles south of [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]] and about 44 miles from [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|2000= 17593
|2010= 19371
|2020= 23060
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
In 2010,<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> Bear had a population of 19,371 people. The racial makeup of the CDP was 50.5% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 34.5% [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 4.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.0% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 6.8% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.7% from two or more races. 14.2% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2"/> of 2000, there were 17,593 people, 6,027 households, and 4,544 families residing in the CDP.  The population density was {{convert|3,063.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 6,265 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,090.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the CDP was 66.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 26.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], <0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.8% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.5% of the population.

There were 6,027 households, out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 33.0% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.1% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 33.8 years, with a median of 32.8 for natives and 34.8 for foreigners. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP in 2014 was $60,647. Males had an average income of $62,474 versus $48,706 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $20,715.<ref name="datausa.io">{{cite web|url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/bear-de/|title=Bear, DE &#124; Data USA}}</ref> The largest demographic living in poverty were "Males from ages 6–11" and 13.2% of the population was below the [[poverty line]] which is lower than the national average of 15.5%.<ref name="datausa.io"/> Additionally, 6.7% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over were below the [[poverty line]].

Bear has a large population of citizens who have served in the military. The most common service period was (1) Vietnam, (2) The Gulf War in the 1990s, and (3) The Gulf War in the 2000s.<ref name="datausa.io"/>

== Education ==
Education for Bear CDP is provided by two public school districts and numerous private schools. The public districts are: [[Christina School District]] and [[Colonial School District (Delaware)|Colonial School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10003_new_castle/DC20SD_C10003.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: New Castle County, DE|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=June 18, 2021}}</ref>

===Christina School District===
May B. Leasure Elementary School of the Christina district is in Bear. Its namesake is Elizabeth May Brown Leasure (November 3, 1898 - November 8, 1982), a teacher. It was established as Eden School in 1879. It was started as a 1-8 school but became a 1-6 school as [[Newark High School (Delaware)|Newark High School]] began taking grades 7-8. A November 11, 1934, fire gutted the facility, so all of the school's classes temporarily moved to Lodge Hall; the school was already renting space there in 1934 for overflow classes. A new permanent facility opened in 1935. The school received its current name in 1970, and the current facility opened in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christinak12.org/Page/1234|title=History of Leasure|publisher=May B. Leasure Elementary School|accessdate=June 24, 2021}}</ref>

William A. Oberle, Jr. Elementary School, also of the Christina district,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christinak12.org/oberlees|title=Home|publisher=William A. Oberle, Jr. Elementary School|accessdate=June 24, 2021}}</ref> is in Bear. The school, then Porter Road Elementary School, opened in 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christinak12.org/Page/4978|title=School History|publisher=William A. Oberle, Jr. Elementary School|accessdate=June 24, 2021}}</ref> and it changed to its current name in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/local/school-to-be-named-for-oberle/article_18811f48-8b4e-53c8-a23c-19b110c3af17.html|title=School to be named for Oberle|newspaper=[[Newark Post]]|date=January 19, 2011|accessdate=June 24, 2021}}</ref> Its namesake was a member of the [[Delaware House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/local/christina-renames-elementary-school-for-oberle-jr/article_13660e22-e026-5be9-8ad8-aeed2ef37215.html|title=Christina renames elementary school for Oberle, Jr.|newspaper=[[Newark Post]]|date=September 17, 2011|accessdate=June 24, 2021|page=9}} - Print title: "[https://udspace.udel.edu/bitstream/handle/19716/10314/np_102_37.pdf Christina renames school for Oberle, Jr.]", [https://udspace.udel.edu/bitstream/handle/19716/10314/np_102_37.pdf.txt;jsessionid=4F3B5E629E3CD1ED6500BA7C88E63828?sequence=3 Text version] stored at the [[University of Delaware]].</ref>

The Christina district part of Bear is zoned to as follows: Leasure, Oberle, and Keene elementary schools serve sections for grades K-5.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/FeederPattern/Maps/Suburban-ES.pdf|title=Suburban Elementary Schools|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|date=December 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229043131/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/FeederPattern/Maps/Suburban-ES.pdf|accessdate=June 24, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> It is divided between the zones of Gauger/Cobbs Middle School and Kirk Middle School.<ref name=MSmaps>{{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/FeederPattern/Maps/Suburban-MS.pdf|title=Suburban Middle Schools|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|date=December 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229043205/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/FeederPattern/Maps/Suburban-MS.pdf|accessdate=June 24, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2009}}<br>Older map showing Shue/Medill: {{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/maps/map_78_suburbs.htm|title=Christina School District Suburban Feeder Pattern, Grades 7-8|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|date=November 21, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021121185819/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/maps/map_78_suburbs.htm|accessdate=June 22, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2002}}</ref> It is divided between the zones of [[Glasgow High School (Delaware)|Glasgow High School]] and [[Christiana High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/FeederPattern/Maps/Suburban-HS.pdf|title=Suburban High Schools|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|date=July 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627030038/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/FeederPattern/Maps/Suburban-HS.pdf|accessdate=June 22, 2021|archive-date=June 27, 2011}}<br>Earlier map: {{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/maps/map_912_suburbs.htm|title=Christina School District Suburban Feeder Pattern, Grades 9-12|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|date=November 21, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021121183956/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/maps/map_912_suburbs.htm|accessdate=June 22, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2002}}</ref>

In earlier periods, in addition to Leasure, elementary schools serving Bear included Keane, Marshall, and McVey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/maps/map_K4_suburbs.htm|title=Suburban Feeder Pattern, Grades K-4|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021121184903/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/maps/map_K4_suburbs.htm|accessdate=June 24, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2002}}</ref> Grades 5-6 were assigned to schools in Wilmington, including Bancroft Intermediate School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/intermediate_schools.htm|title=Suburban Feeder Pattern, Grades 5-6|publisher=Christina School District|date=August 24, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813055039/http://www.christina.k12.de.us/en2/schools_district/intermediate_schools.htm|accessdate=June 24, 2021|archive-date=August 13, 2004|url-status=bot: unknown}}- The color blue is unclear as two different schools use the same color and the map lacks further explanation -</ref> Previously Shue/Medill Middle School served sections of Bear.<ref name=MSmaps/>

The Christina District also maintains the Eden Support Services Center in Bear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christinak12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=181414&type=d|title=District Maps|publisher=[[Christina School District]]|date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029071356/http://www.christinak12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=181414&type=d|accessdate=July 4, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2012}}</ref>

===Other education===
The Colonial district operates [[William Penn High School (Delaware)|William Penn High School]].

The most prominent private schools located in Bear include: Caravel Academy, Red Lion Christian Academy, and Fairwinds Christian School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.privateschoolreview.com/delaware/bear |title=Best Private Schools in Bear, DE (2021) |publisher=PrivateSchoolReview.com |date= |accessdate=September 9, 2021}}</ref> In 2010, 18.8% of students in New Castle County attended private schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delawarepublic.org/2010-12-16/private-schools-increasing-financial-aid-to-retain-students|title=Private schools increasing financial aid to retain students |publisher=[[Delaware Public Media]]|date=2010-12-16|access-date=2025-03-30}}</ref>

No major universities are based in Bear, but [[Wilmington University]]'s primary sports complex is located along [[U.S. Route 40 in Delaware|U.S. Route 40]].

New Castle County Library operates the Bear Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastlede.gov/291/Bear-Library|title=Bear Library|publisher=New Castle County Library|access-date=2025-03-29|quote=101 Governor’s Place Bear, DE 19701}}</ref>

== Economy ==

In Bear, the most common industries are (1) healthcare and social assistance, (2) finance and insurance, and (3) retail trade. The highest paid jobs are in (1) utilities, (2) transportation and warehousing, and (3) professional, scientific, and technical services.<ref name="datausa.io"/>

The median property value in Bear is $173,200, with the largest share of property values in housing units that fall within $200,000–$250,000. 68.5% of housing units are occupied by their owner, which is higher than the national average.<ref name="datausa.io"/>

== Diversity ==

The most common countries of origin are (1) Mexico, (2) India, and (3) China, and there are a  high number of people who were born in Kenya. The percentage of the population with U.S. citizenship is 92.4%.<ref name="datausa.io"/>

Spanish is the most spoken non-English language, followed by Arabic.<ref name="datausa.io"/>

== Transportation ==
[[File:US 40 EB past Walther Road-Glendale Boulevard.jpeg|thumb|right|US&nbsp;40 eastbound in Bear]]
Bear is located at the junction of east–west [[U.S. Route 40 in Delaware|U.S. Route 40]] and north–south [[Delaware Route 7]]. US 40 runs west to [[Glasgow, Delaware|Glasgow]] and [[Elkton, Maryland]] and east to [[New Castle, Delaware|New Castle]] and the [[Delaware Memorial Bridge]] while DE 7 runs north to [[Christiana, Delaware|Christiana]] and south to [[Red Lion, Delaware|Red Lion]]. The [[Delaware Route 1]] freeway passes through Bear and has an interchange with US 40 serving the community. DE 1 heads north to an interchange with [[Interstate 95 in Delaware|Interstate 95]] in Christiana that provides access to [[Wilmington, Delaware|Wilmington]] and the rest of the [[Northeast Megalopolis]] and south toward [[Dover, Delaware|Dover]] and the [[Delaware Beaches]].<ref name=DelDOT>{{Delaware road map|year=2008}}</ref>

[[DART First State]] provides bus service to Bear along Route 40, which runs between downtown Wilmington and Glasgow via the US 40 corridor; Route 54, which runs between [[Churchmans Crossing station]] and the [[Walmart]] on Wilton Boulevard via Bear; and Route 64, which runs between the [[Christiana Mall]] and Glasgow via Bear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dartfirststate.com/information/routes/index.shtml|title=Routes and Schedules|publisher=DART First State|access-date=August 16, 2013}}</ref>

The [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] operates freight trains through Bear along the Delmarva Secondary line heading southeast from [[Newark, Delaware|Newark]] and the New Castle Secondary line heading southwest from Wilmington; both lines meet to the south in [[Porter, Delaware|Porter]] at a junction with the [[Delmarva Central Railroad]]. Along the Delmarva Secondary in Bear are Norfolk Southern's Del Pro Yard and [[Amtrak]]'s Bear Maintenance Facility.<ref>{{cite web|title=Delaware State Rail Plan|publisher=Delaware Department of Transportation|date=2011|url=https://deldot.gov/Publications/reports/srp/pdfs/srp_final.pdf|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref>

Automobiles are the most heavily used mode of transportation. The largest share of households has two cars, followed by three cars.<ref name="datausa.io"/> There are state-led bus services and on-call DART services for people with disabilities. The average commute time to work is approximately 26.4 minutes, which is more than the state and national average. Most of these drivers are alone during their commute (82.6%).<ref name="datausa.io"/>

==Notable people==
* Anthony Dwayne McRae, perpetrator of the [[2023 Michigan State University shooting]] and former Bear resident<ref name="McRae - Bear">{{Cite news |title = MSU shooting suspect's older brother telling Detroit Free Press on the suspect's separated life in Delaware, who also grew up in New Jersey |url = https://www.freep.com/story/news/2023/02/14/msu-shooting-suspect-identified-3-dead-5-critical/69901802007/ |first1 = Kristen |last1 = Jordan Shamus |first2 = Darcie |last2 = Moran |access-date = 2023-02-14 |website = [[Detroit Free Press]] |language = en-US |archive-date = February 14, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230214143257/https://www.freep.com/story/news/2023/02/14/msu-shooting-suspect-identified-3-dead-5-critical/69901802007/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot#Barry Croft Jr.|Barry Croft Jr.]], convicted co-leader of the [[Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot|2020 plot to kidnap Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer]]; resident of Bear<ref name="Croft - Bear">{{cite news |last1=Cappelletti |first1=Joey |title=Barry Croft Jr. of Delaware, architect of plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer, to face sentence |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2022/12/28/michigan-gov-whitmer-kidnap-plot-barry-croft-jr-delaware-sentencing/69761286007/ |access-date=15 February 2023 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Delaware Online |date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215224126/https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2022/12/28/michigan-gov-whitmer-kidnap-plot-barry-croft-jr-delaware-sentencing/69761286007/ |archive-date=15 February 2023}}</ref>
* [[Angelo Blackson]], [[American football]] [[defensive tackle]] for the [[Chicago Bears]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL); former Bear resident
* [[Ami Parekh]], Indian-American figure skater who represented India in international competitions and was an eight-time Indian ladies' champion; resident of Bear<ref name="skate" >{{cite news |title=Parekh Brings Bollywood to Ice |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/06/parekh-brings-bollywood-to-ice/ |website=Golden Skate |last1=Mittan |first1=Barry |date=June 24, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=amiweb>{{cite news | url = http://amiparekh.com/about-ami/ | title = Ami Parekh's Official Skating Website | access-date = February 15, 2023 | archive-date = October 18, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191018190127/http://amiparekh.com/about-ami/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|Delaware}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{New Castle County, Delaware}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in New Castle County, Delaware]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Delaware]]