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New Castle, Delaware

New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The city is located six miles (10 km) south of Wilmington and is situated on the Delaware River. As of 2020, the city's population was 5,551. New Castle constitutes part of the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area.

17th century
New Castle was originally settled by the Dutch West India Company in 1651 under the leadership of Peter Stuyvesant on the site of a former aboriginal village, "Tomakonck" ("Place of the Beaver"), to assert their claim to the area based on a prior agreement with the aboriginal inhabitants of the area. The Dutch originally named the settlement Fort Casimir, but this was changed to Fort Trinity following its seizure by the colony of New Sweden on Trinity Sunday in 1654. The Dutch conquered the entire colony of New Sweden the following year and rechristened the fort as Nieuw-Amstel, named after the Amstel. This marked the end of the Swedish colony in Delaware as an official entity, but it remained a semi-autonomous unit within the New Netherland colony and the cultural, social, and religious influence of the Swedish settlers remained strong. As the settlement grew, Dutch authorities laid out a grid of streets and established a common green in the town's center, which continues to this day.

In 1664, the English seized the entire New Netherland colony in the Second Anglo-Dutch War. They changed the name of the town to "New Castle" and made it the capital of their Delaware Colony. The Dutch regained the town in 1673 during the Third Anglo-Dutch War but it was returned to Great Britain the next year under the Treaty of Westminster. In 1680, New Castle was conveyed to William Penn by the Duke of York by livery of seisin and was Penn's landing place when he first set foot on American soil on October 27, 1682. This transfer to Penn was contested by Lord Baltimore and the boundary dispute was not resolved until the 1763-1767 survey conducted by Mason and Dixon, now famed in history as the Mason–Dixon line.

18th century
Prior to the establishment of Penn's Philadelphia, New Castle was a center of government. After being transferred to Penn, Delaware's Swedish, Dutch, and English residents became accustomed to the relaxed culture of the Restoration monarchy and grew uncomfortable with the more conservative Quaker influence, so Delaware petitioned for a separate legislature, which was finally granted in 1702. Delaware formally broke from Pennsylvania in 1704. New Castle again became the seat of the colonial government, thriving with the various judges and lawyers that fueled the economy. Many smaller houses were torn down and replaced in this era. In February, 1777, John McKinly was elected the first President of Delaware, a title later renamed "Governor". During the Revolution, when New Castle was besieged by William Howe, the government elected to move its functions south to Dover in May, 1777. McKinley was captured by the British and held prisoner for several months. New Castle remained the county seat until after the Civil War, when that status was transferred to Wilmington. Three of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were from New Castle: Thomas McKean, George Read, and George Ross.

19th century
The 16 mi portage between the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay saved a 400 mi trip around the Delmarva Peninsula, so this brought passengers, goods, and business to New Castle's port. In the years following the Revolution, a turnpike was built to facilitate travel between the two major waterways. Later, New Castle became the eastern terminus of the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad, the second-oldest rail line in the country, launched in 1828 with horse-drawn rail cars, then converting to steam power when an engine was purchased from Great Britain in 1832. The line traversed the Delmarva Peninsula, running to the Elk River, Maryland, from where passengers changed to packet boats for further travel to Baltimore and points south. This helped the New Castle economy to further boom; however, by 1840, rail lines were in place between Philadelphia and Baltimore, which had a stop in Wilmington, thus leaving New Castle to deal with a substantial decline in traffic and revenue.

The decline in New Castle's economy had the long-range fortunate effect of preventing most residents from making any significant structural changes to their homes. The many buildings of historic New Castle have largely not been upgraded or restored and appear much as they did in the Colonial and Federal periods.

20th century
Since 1927, New Castle has offered tours of historical homes, churches, and gardens, which are typically held annually on the third Saturday of May. Householders dress in colonial costumes and an admittance fee, used toward the maintenance of the town's many historic buildings, is charged. Annually in June, New Castle holds its annual Separation Day celebration.

On April 28, 1961, an F3 tornado hit the north side. Although no fatalities or injuries occurred, it was the only tornado of this magnitude ever recorded in Delaware during the Fujita scale area.

21st century
A tornado rated EF3 hit the city on April 1, 2023.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km$2$), of which 3.0 square miles (7.9 km$2$) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km$2$) of it (3.79%) is water.

The city is the home of Broad Dyke, the first dyke built in the United States.

The cupola of the court house is the center of the "Twelve-Mile Circle" that defines much of the border between Delaware and Pennsylvania. The circle also forms a small portion of the border between Delaware and New Jersey and Delaware and Maryland.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,862 people, 2,012 households, and 1,339 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,594.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 721.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 77.48% White, 20.20% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.84% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.

There were 2,012 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,449, and the median income for a family was $56,368. Males had a median income of $40,153 versus $31,571 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,052. About 3.9% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Historic sites
New Castle Historic District is an area approximately four blocks square in the center of town with about 500 historic buildings, built between 1700 and 1940. This area contains one of the highest concentrations of well-preserved buildings dating from the 17th to early 19th centuries. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1967.

The historic district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1967 and it was relisted, with enlarged boundaries and expanded period of significance, in 1984. The historic district then covered 135 acre of area and includes Amstel House and Old Courthouse which are separately listed on the NRHP. The area includes 461 contributing buildings, one other contributing structure, and one contributing object.

The New Castle Court House, the Green, and the Sheriff's House are parts of First State National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park System. The national park interprets Delaware's settlement and role in the founding of the United States.

Notable sites the historic district include:
 * Amstel House, home of New Castle Historical Society
 * Stonum, home of George Read, an 18th century Delaware politician
 * Read House and Garden, former home of Read's son George Read Jr., built between 1801 and 1804
 * Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green
 * New Castle Court House Museum, the original colonial capitol and first State House of Delaware, served as Court House until 1882 when the county seat was moved to Wilmington. Its cupola served as the center of the Twelve-Mile Circle, which defined Delaware's state border with Pennsylvania
 * Old Dutch House, a small early dwelling built circa 1700
 * Thomas McKean House, the former home of Thomas McKean, a Founding Father
 * New Castle Presbyterian Church, built in 1707
 * Lesley-Travers Mansion, built in 1855

Bellanca Airfield, located outside of the historic district, is the site of the former Bellanca Aircraft Corporation factory, which operated in New Castle from 1928 to 1960 and built over 3,000 airplanes. Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame Museum is located in hangar. Also nearby are Buena Vista, Glebe House, The Hermitage, New Castle Ice Piers, Penn Farm of the Trustees of the New Castle Common, and Swanwyck, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Education
New Castle is served by the Colonial School District. It operates William Penn High School.

Private schools located in New Castle include: Serviam Girls Academy, St. Peter's Catholic School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington) and Delaware Valley Classical School.

New Castle Public Library is the public library.

Transportation
U.S. Route 13 and U.S. Route 40 are the most significant highways serving New Castle directly. They pass along the northwest edge of the city concurrently along Dupont Highway.

Delaware Route 9 runs southwest-to-northeast through New Castle, passing through the city along 7th Street, Washington Street, Delaware Street, and Ferry Cut Off Street; the route bypasses the historic area. DE 9 heads north to Wilmington and south to Delaware City. Delaware Route 141 heads north from New Castle on Basin Road and provides a bypass to the west of Wilmington. Delaware Route 273 heads west from New Castle on Frenchtown Road and provides access to Christiana and Newark. Several important roads are located just outside the city limits. Interstate 295 passes north of New Castle and crosses the Delaware River on the Delaware Memorial Bridge to New Jersey, with DE 9 providing access to New Castle from I-295.

The Wilmington Airport (formerly New Castle Airport) is located northwest of New Castle along US 13/US 40. The airport offers general aviation, commercial air service, and is home to a unit of the Delaware Air National Guard.

A freight line operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway passes through New Castle. The nearest passenger rail station to New Castle is Wilmington station in Wilmington, which is served by Amtrak and SEPTA Regional Rail's Wilmington/Newark Line.

DART First State provides bus service to New Castle along Route 15 and Route 51, which both run between downtown Wilmington and the Christiana Mall and offer connections to multiple bus routes serving points across northern New Castle County.

Utilities
The Municipal Services Commission of the City of New Castle provides electricity and water to the city. The electric department is a member of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation. Natural gas service in New Castle is provided by Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon. The city's Public Works department provides trash and recycling collection to New Castle.

Notable people

 * Walter W. Bacon, 60th Governor of Delaware
 * John Walter Bratton, songwriter
 * William C. Frazer, American lawyer and judge
 * Thomas Holcomb, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
 * Dave May, former MLB player
 * Thomas McKean, lawyer, politician and a signer of the Declaration of Independence
 * Vinnie Moore, guitarist
 * George Read I, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, second Governor of Delaware
 * George Ross, signer of the Declaration of Independence
 * Jeff Otah, NFL player
 * Ryan Phillippe, actor
 * Devin Smith, professional basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv
 * Charles Thomas, 25th Governor of Delaware
 * Nicholas Van Dyke I, President of Delaware
 * Nicholas Van Dyke II, son of Nicholas Van Dyke I, U.S. Senator
 * Jalen Duren, professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons
 * Joe Biden, 46th President of the United States

In film
New Castle has served as the filming location for numerous films and television series, including Dead Poets Society, Beloved, and River Ridge.

title: New Castle, Delaware


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Newark, Delaware

Newark is a small city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located 12 mi west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is home to the University of Delaware. The city constitutes part of the Delaware Valley (i.e. the Philadelphia metropolitan area).

History
Newark was founded by Scots-Irish and Welsh 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. Two of these, Read and McKean, went on to have schools named after them in the state of Delaware: George Read Middle School and Thomas McKean High School.

During the American Revolutionary War, British and American forces clashed outside Newark at the Battle of Cooch's Bridge. Tradition holds that the Battle of Cooch's Bridge was the first instance of the Stars and Stripes being 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.

One of Newark's major sources of employment and revenue was the Chrysler Newark Assembly plant which was built in 1951. Jamaican reggae star, Bob Marley worked as an assembly-line worker at the plant during his short stint in Delaware in the 1960s. Originally constructed to build tanks for the US Army, the plant was 3.4 million square feet in size. It employed 1,100 employees in 2008 which was down from 2,115 in 2005. This turn was due largely to the decline of sales of the Durango and Aspen vehicle models that were being produced. The plant stood for more than 50 years, providing jobs and revenue to the state of Delaware. The factory produced a wide variety of automobile models during its run. The plant was closed in late 2008 due to the recession and limited demand for larger cars.

Geography
Newark is located at 39.68361°N, -75.74972°W (39.6837226, −75.7496572). It is located directly east of the Maryland state line, adjacent to the unincorporated community of Fair Hill, and is less than one mile south of the tripoint where Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania meet, known as The Wedge.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.19 sqmi, all land. Originally surrounded by farmland, 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 hills, 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
Newark is surrounded by a large amount of public parkland—over 12000 acre – although the city is located roughly halfway between Philadelphia (approximately 45 mi away) and Baltimore (approximately 55 mi away) and is part of densely populated New Castle County. 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 horseback riding opportunities. The Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area and large portions 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.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Newark has a humid subtropical climate (abbreviated Cfa on climate maps). Summers are hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are moderate-to-cold, with occasional snow in December, January and February. Newark averages more than 220 frost free days. The hardiness zone is 7a.

Demographics
As of the census 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 PD/sqmi. There were 9,294 housing units at an average density of 1,041.4 /sqmi. 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% had 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.

Public schools
Public education in Newark is managed by the Christina School District and, for regional vocational schools, the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District. The Christina School District manages public education for Newark and environs, and also for parts of Wilmington.

Christina School District elementary schools (K-5) serving portions of the city limits include:
 * Downes Elementary School
 * Maclary Elementary School
 * McVey Elementary School
 * West Park Place Elementary School
 * Brookside Elementary School (in nearby Brookside)

Other schools with Newark addresses:
 * Gallaher Elementary School (grades K-5)
 * Jennie E. Smith Elementary School (grades K-5)

Shue/Medill Middle School, in an unincorporated area, serves most of the Newark city limits while small parts are zoned to Gauger-Cobbs Middle School in Brookside. George Kirk Middle School, also in Brookside, previously served sections.

Newark High School serves almost all of the city limits, with small portions in the south zoned to Glasgow High School. Christiana High School (grades 9-12) has a Newark postal address but does not, as of 2008, serve any of the Newark city limits.

Delaware School for the Deaf (grades K-12), operated by the State of Delaware, is in nearby Brookside.

Newark Charter School is a state-chartered school offering grades K-12.

History of education
Until 1884 Newark's public education system was grades 1-8 only, with Wilmington having the nearest public high school, and with the private Newark Academy being the private option. The Old Newark Comprehensive School served as the first public high school for Newark.

University of Delaware
Newark is home to the University of Delaware (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 graduate engineering program was ranked number 11 in the nation by The Princeton Review. Newark's Main Street is popular among both the University of Delaware students as well as the residents of Newark, offering many restaurant and boutique options.

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 Club (an independent club operating within UD facilities) and at The Pond Ice Rink.

The University of Delaware offers 21 varsity sports, which compete in the NCAA Division I. The athletic teams at Delaware are known as the Fightin' Blue Hens, named after the Blue Hen of Delaware, the state bird of Delaware. The official mascot of the University of Delaware is YouDee.

The Delaware 87ers were a professional basketball team that played in the NBA G League (formerly the NBA D-League) as the affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. From 2013 until 2018, they played their home games at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark on the University of Delaware campus. They moved to nearby Wilmington and the 76ers' new Fieldhouse, rebranded as the Delaware Blue Coats.

As of 2022, it is also serves as the headquarters of Combat Zone Wrestling.

Transportation
Several highways pass through the Newark area. Interstate 95, 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. Delaware Route 72 runs north-south, bypassing Newark to the east. Major east–west highways through the Newark area include Delaware Route 273, which passes through the heart of Newark, Delaware Route 2, which heads east to Wilmington, Delaware Route 4, which bypasses Newark to the south on the Christiana Parkway, and Delaware Route 279, which heads southwest towards Elkton, Maryland.

The City of Newark Parking Division regulates parking in the downtown area of Newark with 457 on-street parking meters, three off-street hourly parking lots offering a total of 577 spaces, and two long-term monthly parking lots offering a total of 151 spaces. The city regulates parking in residential areas of Newark with residential parking permits. The University of Delaware regulates parking at various lots and garages on-campus.

The closest airport to Newark is the Wilmington Airport in New Castle County. The closest airport to Newark that provides full domestic and international service is 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 consists of a few trains in both directions during the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays only. There is limited Amtrak service in Newark with one train in each direction on weekdays, an additional northbound train on Thursdays and Fridays and an additional southbound train on Fridays, and three trains in each direction on weekends. Newark is also served by two freight railroads. Norfolk Southern provides freight service via trackage rights on the Northeast Corridor line and the Delmarva Secondary line that splits to the south to run toward the Delmarva Peninsula and an interchange with the Delmarva Central Railroad in Porter. Norfolk Southern operates the Newark Yard adjacent to the former Newark Assembly plant used by Chrysler that is now owned by the University of Delaware. CSX passes through the northern part of Newark along the Philadelphia Subdivision line.

Newark is served by DART First State bus routes No. 6, 10, 33, 42, 46, 53, and 55, providing service to Wilmington, the Christiana Mall, and Middletown, as well as by Cecil Transit bus route No. 4, providing service to Elkton, MD. Most routes travel through the university campus and also stop near the rail station. The Newark Transit Hub is located in the eastern part of the town and serves several of the bus routes. DART First State also operates a microtransit service called DART Connect serving the city. The University of Delaware also operates the UD Shuttle bus system, available and free to all students and those associated with the university.

Utilities
The City of Newark Electric Department provides electricity within the city limits. The city's electric department purchases electricity on the wholesale market, serving about 12,800 customers and maintaining 175 mi of electric lines. The electric department is a member of the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation. The City of Newark Public Works and Water Resources Department provides trash collection, recycling, water, and wastewater service to Newark. Water service is provided to 33,000 customers in Newark, with 91 mi of water pipes serving the city. The city's water supply comes from the Newark Reservoir. The city maintains 73 mi of sewer lines, with wastewater pumped through the New Castle County system to the Wilmington Regional Wastewater Treatment facility. Natural gas service in Newark is provided by Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon.

Health care
Christiana Care Health System operates the Christiana Hospital to the east of Newark. The hospital has 907 beds, 22 hospital operating rooms, 10 outpatient operating rooms, an emergency room with the only Level I trauma center in Delaware, the state's only Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, the state's largest maternity center, the Center for Heart & Vascular Health, and the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

Notable people

 * Joe Biden (born 1942), former U.S. Senator; 47th Vice President of the United States, 46th President of the United States
 * Tarzan Cooper (1907–1980), professional basketball player
 * Harry Coover (1917–2011), inventor
 * Dave Douglas, golfer
 * Tom Douglas, award-winning Seattle chef
 * Joe Flacco, former University of Delaware football player; current Cleveland Browns quarterback
 * Anthony Fontana, professional footballer; current midfielder for the Philadelphia Union
 * David Grinnage, former North Carolina State University football player; former NFL tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars
 * Wilbert L. Gore, chemical engineer and founder of W. L. Gore & Associates
 * Orien Harris, former University of Miami football player; former NFL defensive end
 * Richard Howell, former governor of New Jersey
 * K. C. Keeler, former University of Delaware football coach
 * Chad Kuhl, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Jack Markell, former governor of Delaware
 * M. A. Muqtedar Khan, Muslim American intellectual and commentator
 * Bilal Nichols, former University of Delaware football player; current Chicago Bears defensive end
 * Harold "Tubby" Raymond, College Hall of Fame football coach
 * George Thorogood, rock and roll musician
 * Johnny Weir, U.S. figure skating champion
 * Madinah Wilson-Anton, candidate for the Delaware House of Representatives
 * Vic Willis, Hall of Fame baseball player

Radio

 * WVUD/91.3: University of Delaware

Magazine

 * Newark Life Magazine

Newspaper

 * Newark Post

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title: Newark, Delaware


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Newport, Delaware

Newport is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is on the Christina River. It is best known for being the home of colonial inventor Oliver Evans. The population was 1,055 at the 2010 census. Four limited access highways, I-95, I-295, I-495, and Delaware Route 141 intersect within one mile (1.6 km) of the town.

Geography
Newport is located at 39.71361°N, -75.60944°W (39.7137238, −75.6093709).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has an area of 0.4 mi2, of which 2.22% is water.

History
Prior to European settlement, the Minquas (or Susquehannock) peoples lived in and around modern-day Newport. This heritage is reflected in the name of the Minquas Fire Company, Newport's volunteer fire company.

The first land grant for the area were awarded to the Duke of York in 1641. In 1735, longtime area resident and businessman John Justis purchased 100 acre and several years later the streets of a town called Newport-Ayre were laid out. According to Newport histories, Justis saw the area's potential as a commercial crossroads and a port.

George Washington passed through during the Revolutionary War during preparations for the Battle of the Brandywine in 1777. The town dropped "Ayre" from its name by the time what would become the U.S. Postal Service opened a branch office there in 1793.

Newport became a center of commerce in the early 19th century, as Conestoga wagons transported farm products from as far away as Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Newport's docks on the Christina River, where the supplies were loaded on ships bound for Boston, New York and Philadelphia. The town's important role in trade ebbed as new roads favored the larger town of Wilmington and the railroad reached the area in 1837.

Newport incorporated in 1873 and became a manufacturing center, boasting chemical works, glue factory and iron works in 1900. Henrik J. Krebs, founder of Krebs Pigments and Chemical Company, built a plant in town in 1908. The facility was purchased by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in 1929 and later sold to it to Ciba-Geigy in 1984.

The Armstrong Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M., Collison House, Galloway-Walker House, Killgore Hall, Joseph Killgore House, Newport National Bank, Newport Railroad Station, Joseph Tatnall House, Lewis Weldin House, and Woman's Club of Newport are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Economy
Newport has several small industries within its borders, including a BASF pigment manufacturing plant.

The General Motors Wilmington Assembly automobile manufacturing facility was located on Boxwood Road just north of the town and operated from 1947 to 2009. In October 2009, Fisker Automotive announced it would begin manufacturing electric automobiles at the Boxwood Road location. However, the plant never opened and was later demolished to make room for an Amazon warehouse.

Education
Newport is served by the Red Clay Consolidated School District for public education.

Richey Elementary School (grades K–5) is located in town proper off of East Highland Avenue. Public school students in Newport in grades 6 through 8 attend Stanton Middle School in Stanton while students in grades 9 through 12 attend John Dickinson High School northwest of Newport in Pike Creek.

Conrad Schools of Science and Delaware Military Academy, magnet high schools, are located just outside the town. Richardson park elementary school is also located just outside of the town.

Transportation
Delaware Route 141 is the main road providing access to Newport. It follows an elevated freeway on a north–south alignment through Newport, with James Street and Marshall Street serving as frontage roads. DE 141 heads south to an interchange with Interstate 95, Interstate 295, and Interstate 495 just to the south of Newport and continues on to New Castle, while it heads north and east as a western bypass of Wilmington to U.S. Route 202 in Fairfax. Delaware Route 41 and Delaware Route 62 form the majority of the Delaware portion of the Newport Gap Pike which connects Newport to Gap, Pennsylvania and also serves as a local route to Lancaster, Pennsylvania as it eventually absorbs Lancaster Pike (Delaware Route 48) in Hockessin. Delaware Route 4 serves as the main east–west road through Newport, passing through the town on the one-way pair of Market Street eastbound and Justis Street westbound and becoming Newport Pike outside the town. DE 4 heads northeast to Wilmington and southwest to Christiana and Newark.

DART First State provides bus service to Newport along Route 5, which follows DE 4 and heads northeast to Wilmington and southwest to the Christiana Mall. The Northeast Corridor rail line that carries Amtrak and SEPTA Regional Rail's Wilmington/Newark Line passes through Newport but no trains stop in the town; the nearest station serving Amtrak and SEPTA trains is Wilmington station.

Utilities
Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon, provides electricity and natural gas to Newport. Suez Delaware, a subsidiary of Suez North America, provides water to Newport. Sewer service in Newport is provided by New Castle County. Trash and recycling collection in Newport is provided under contract by Waste Management.

Sports
The Stanton-Newport Little League Girls Softball team were Little League Senior League Softball Champions in 1999.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,122 people, 456 households, and 290 families residing in the town. The population density was 2554.0 PD/sqmi. There were 490 housing units at an average density of 1115.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 75.76% White, 10.61% African American, 0.80% Native American, 1.69% Asian, 5.08% from other races, and 6.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.55% of the population.

There were 456 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,864, and the median income for a family was $41,771. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $26,420 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,590. About 9.9% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Oliver Evans, inventor
 * Dallas Green, Major League Baseball pitcher and manager of the 1980 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies
 * Henry Latimer, United States Representative and Senator

title: Newport, Delaware


text:
North Star, Delaware

North Star is a census-designated place (CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 7,980 at the 2010 census.

Geography
North Star is located at 39.76111°N, -75.71917°W (39.7612226, -75.7191006).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 8,277 people, 2,629 households, and 2,408 families living in the CDP. The population density was 1,209.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,651 housing units at an average density of 387.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.60% White, 2.50% African American, 0.07% Native American, 6.68% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17%.

Of the 2,629 households 49.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 87.3% were married couples living together, 2.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 8.4% were non-families. 6.8% of households were one person and 1.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 3.30.

The age distribution was 31.4% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 30.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.

The median household income was $110,616 and the median family income was $113,621. Males had a median income of $81,175 versus $46,603 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $39,677. About 2.2% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education
North Star is divided between the Red Clay Consolidated School District and the Christina School District.

In all of the Red Clay area, North Star Elementary is the zoned elementary school, and H. B. duPont Middle School is the zoned middle school. In portions of the Red Clay area zoned high schools include John Dickinson High School, and Alexis I. duPont High School.

The Christina portion is zoned to Maclary Elementary School, Shue/Medill Middle School, and Newark High School. Previously Grades 5-6 were assigned to Bancroft Intermediate School in Wilmington.

Notable Places
North Star contains Woodside Farm Creamery and the Chinese American Community Center.

title: North Star, Delaware


text:
Odessa, Delaware

Odessa is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 364 at the 2010 census. Founded as Cantwell's Bridge in the 18th century, the name was changed in the 19th century, after the Ukrainian port city of the same name. Today a significant part of the town is a historic district list on the National Register of Historic Places.

History
Odessa was originally known as Cantwell's Bridge. In 1721, a son of Captain Edmund Cantwell opened a toll bridge over the Appoquinimink Creek at this location. Cantwell's Bridge became an important port that shipped wheat, corn, tobacco, and produce down the creek to the Delaware Bay, where it traveled to distant ports. The town was also home to tanneries that produced leather goods. Cantwell's Bridge would continue to prosper as an agricultural port into the 19th century. In 1855, the grain trade collapsed after the Delaware Railroad was built to the west through Middletown. The railroad was originally proposed to be built through Cantwell's Bridge but the merchants and vessel owners in the town opposed. Following this, the town was renamed to Odessa after the port city of Odesa in Ukraine in an effort to keep the town alive as a major port. The town saw a slight boom during the American Civil War.

Geography
Odessa is located at 39.45722°N, -75.66139°W (39.4573340°N, 75.6613184°W), along the Appoquinimink River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, of which 0.4 sqmi is land and 2.22% is water.

Transportation
The Delaware Route 1 toll road is the most significant highway passing through Odessa. Its route follows the western edge of town, with an interchange with DE 299 that serves Odessa and neighboring Middletown. U.S. Route 13 passes through the heart of Odessa along Dupont Parkway, which follows 5th Street northbound and 6th Street southbound. Delaware Route 299 is the main east-west route in Odessa, passing through the town along Main Street. DART First State provides bus service to Odessa at a park and ride lot west of the town near the interchange between DE 1 and DE 299. The park and ride lot serves the Route 43 and Route 63 buses to Middletown, the Route 301 bus to Wilmington and Dover, and the seasonal Route 305 "Beach Connection" bus to Lewes.

Utilities
Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon, provides electricity to Odessa. Chesapeake Utilities provides natural gas to the town. Trash and recycling collection is provided by the town.

Education
Odessa is within the Appoquinimink School District. Odessa High School is nearby.MOT Charter School is an area charter school.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 286 people, 119 households, and 84 families living in the town. The population density was 652.6 PD/sqmi. There were 127 housing units at an average density of 289.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.06% White, 5.24% African American, 0.35% Pacific Islander, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05%.

Of the 119 households 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 22.7% of households were one person and 10.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.80.

The age distribution was 19.9% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median household income was $53,269 and the median family income was $55,938. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $33,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,662. None of the families and 3.2% of the population were living below the poverty line.

title: Odessa, Delaware


text:
Pike Creek, Delaware

Pike Creek is a census-designated place (CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware, United States and is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan statistical area. In 2007, CNN's Money Magazine ranked Pike Creek number 1 on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. Pike Creek was the only community in Delaware to appear on the list. The population was 7,808 at the 2020 Census. Local attractions include Middle Run Natural Area, White Clay Creek State Park, Carousel Farm Park and Equestrian Center, Golf and Restaurants. Pike Creek is approximately five miles from downtown Newark, which contains the University of Delaware. Pike Creek is connected to the University of Delaware campus and the Newark downtown area by several bike trails. Pike Creek is approximately 10 miles west of the state's largest city, Wilmington, which is a national financial center.

Geography
Pike Creek is located at 39.73083°N, -75.70417°W (39.7309451, -75.7040991).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 sqmi, all land.

Housing
As of 2011, the estimated median house or condo value was $324,403. Detached houses: $357,826; Townhouses or other attached units: $257,807; In 2-unit structures: $319,129; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $140,985; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $169,882. Median gross rent in 2011: $1,560.

Demographics
The median income in 2011 was $106,313. About 0.9% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,898 in the CDP. The population density was 3,220.8 PD/sqmi. There were 8,415 housing units at an average density of 1,372.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.30% White, 4.09% African American, 0.17% Native American, 5.58% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.

There were 8,201 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

Education
Public school students in Pike Creek attend schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District in the eastern part and Christina School District in the western part. Pike Creek is home to Goldey-Beacom College and St. Mark's High School.

Zoned elementary schools of Pike Creek in Red Clay include Cooke Elementary School, and Linden Hill Elementary School. Zoned Red Clay middle schools include H. B. duPont Middle School and Skyline Middle School. Red Clay high schools serving sections of Pike Creek include John Dickinson High School and McKean High School.

The portion in the Christina district is zoned to Etta J. Wilson Elementary School, Shue/Medill Middle School, and Newark High School. Previously Grades 5-6 were assigned to Bancroft Intermediate School in Wilmington.

Attractions

 * White Clay Creek State Park
 * Carousel Farm Park & Equestrian Center
 * Middle Run Natural Area

In popular culture
In the season 5 premiere "Sympathy for the Devil"  of the CW show Supernatural, Pike Creek is where Lucifer convinces his temporary vessel Nick to allow his possession.

Three Little Bakers Golf Club Site
The owners of Pike Creek Golf Club, formally Three Little Bakers Golf Club, Pike Creek Recreational Services LLC, have been engaged in a lawsuit with New Castle County, Delaware regarding redevelopment of the golf course for housing. In September 2013, a judge ruled that the developers who own the former Pike Creek Golf Course have to preserve 130 acres of land that could function as a golf course and open space. On August 5, 2021, the Delaware Supreme Court upheld the prior decision from 2010 not to designate the 130 acres as open space, reducing the amount of potential homes from 224 to 60.

The Golf Club was a 18 hole semi-private course and operated from 1971 to 2010. It was also the site of a bar, restaurant and dinner theater.

title: Pike Creek, Delaware


text:
Townsend, Delaware

Townsend is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 2,049 at the 2010 census, an increase of 492.2% from 2000. The center of population of Delaware is located in Townsend.

Geography
Townsend is located at 39.395°N, -75.69167°W (39.3951115, –75.6915973).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

History
Townsend was incorporated as a town on April 3, 1885. Its primary business was selling agricultural produce via the Delaware Railroad. The railroad has since lost prominence over freight hauling, but the town still remains primarily agricultural with plenty of rural area and local produce.

The name, Townsend, comes from a prominent businessman and Delaware Democrat, Samuel John Townsend. Prior to 1885, the town was known as Charley Town. Between 1845 and 1855 brothers Samuel and John Townsend purchased several large tracts of farmland in the vicinity. The Delaware Railroad arrived here in 1856, bisecting Samuel Townsend's property. This led to a period of sustained growth for the town, as the railroad station became the principal shipping point for the area's agricultural products. In September 1856 the Post Office was established, and the first hotel opened in 1857. Following a healthy debate among the residents, the station was named Townsend, after the area's major land owners. The peach industry was a vital contributor to the area's growth and prosperity until disease destroyed many Delmarva orchards in the late 19th century. A free African American community was located here by the mid-19th century.

The town has since created a "Comprehensive Development Plan", as required by state law February 2003, for land preservation.

The Townsend Historic District, which includes 216 buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Mayors of the town
''Note: List of Mayors is incomplete. Please add cited sources to complete this list.''

0000? - 2007 Charles Murry (Town Records)
 * 2007(?)-2009 - Dave Raughley
 * 2010–2011: John Hanlin
 * 2011-2012: Steve High
 * 2012-2014: Joel Esler
 * 2014-2015: Jermaine Hatton
 * 2016-2019: Rudy Sutton
 * 2019–2021: Tom McDonald
 * 2021-2022: Patrick Miller
 * Current: Scott Lobdell, P.E.

Transportation
Delaware Route 71 runs northwest–southeast through the eastern part of Townsend and heads northwest to Middletown and southeast to an intersection with U.S. Route 13. Main Street serves as the main east–west road through Townsend. DART First State provides bus service to Townsend along Route 302, which heads north to Middletown and south to Smyrna and Dover. Townsend is located at the junction between the Delmarva Central Railroad's Delmarva Subdivision and the Maryland and Delaware Railroad's Northern Line.

Utilities
Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Exelon, provides electricity to Townsend. Chesapeake Utilities provides natural gas to the town. Artesian Water Company, a subsidiary of Artesian Resources, provides water to Townsend. Trash and recycling collection in Townsend is provided by Waste Industries.

Education
Townsend is within the Appoquinimink School District. Odessa High School has a Townsend postal address.

MOT Charter School is an area charter school.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 346 people, 132 households, and 95 families living in the town. The population density was 582.3 PD/sqmi. There were 151 housing units at an average density of 254.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 84.10% White, 11.56% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 2.60% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.60%.

Of the 132 households 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 20.5% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.06.

The age distribution was 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median household income was $47,500 and the median family income was $48,875. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $28,409 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,671. About 2.1% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Samuel John Townsend (1812–1881), businessman and prominent Democrat, for which the town was named after. Townsend was a vibrant Delaware Democrat working as a ship captain, timber producer, and finally, a peach farmer who exported canned peaches to New York from Delaware and Maryland.
 * Happy Townsend (1879–1963), a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1901 to 1906 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Naps
 * David P. Buckson (1920–2017), Governor of Delaware, was born in Townsend
 * Dominique McLean, aka SonicFox, professional esports player and recipient of "Gamer of the Year" Award at The Game Awards 2018

title: Townsend, Delaware