Newark, DE

Located halfway between Baltimore and Philadelphia -- both about 50 miles away -- Newark is one of the oldest cities in the nation and one of the Delaware's most densely populated. Home to nearly 30,000 residents, the city is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with a rich history dating back to the 1600s. Though once a manufacturing center, the city is now a university town, home to the University of Delaware, which has a 4,000-member faculty and an 18,000-plus student body. Much of the city's economy revolves around the university.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Chartered in 1758, the city of Newark was originally surrounded by farmland and remained a small town until the 1950s, when the city experienced two decades of rapid growth. During this time a number of the city's better-known neighborhoods, including Nottingham Green and Devon were developed.

Owners occupy about half of Newark's houses.

The walkability of the city is excellent. Except movie theatres, almost all amenities such as coffee shops, bars, restaurants and grocery stores, are within 1 mile from the center of the city.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Some of the leading industries in the city are educational, health and social service, retail trade, arts, recreation, and accommodation and food services. Major employers in the Newark are University Of Delaware and W. L. Gore and Associates Inc., best known as the makers of GORE-TEX fabrics.

SHOPPING

• Christiana Mall: An upscale regional shopping center, the Christiana Mall is home to more than 130 specialty shops, such as Apple, Coach, William Sonoma, and Pottery Barn, as well as anchoring department stores, Macy's and JCPenney.
• Main Street: Newark's downtown is a popular shopping area with a variety of boutiques, restaurants, and historical buildings, including the Deer Park Tavern, which was built in 1851 and has counted American writer, Edgar Allan Poe, among its guests.

FOR VISITORS

• Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart: Built at the turn of the century, the Cathedral is known for its impressive French Gothic architecture, as well as the Rose Window, a beautiful stained glass window stretching 37 feet in diameter.
• Hale-Byrnes House: Built in 1750, the Hales-Byrnes House was used by the American Revolutionary War forces for a war council, prior to the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware.
• Iron Hill Museum: Located in a one-room schoolhouse, the Iron Hill Museum houses a variety of natural and cultural history exhibitions. The museum also hosts tours through colonial-era iron mines and a jasper quarry.
• Military Park: Dating to the 1800s, the Military Park originally served as the training ground for Newark's militia. Encompassing six acres, the park today is home to a Wars of America monument, created by artist Gutzon Borglum. In summer, it is also the site of the city farmers' market.
• Newark Museum: The Newark Museum houses 80 art and natural science exhibition galleries, as well as a diverse permanent collection of art and artifacts from Native America, Africa, and Asia. Other attractions include a planetarium and 19th century restored mansion.
• Rockwood Museum: Located in neighboring Wilmington, the Rockwood Museum was built in the 1850s in Gothic revival-style architecture. In addition to English-style gardens, the museum houses historical furnishings of the late Victorian Era.

EVENTS

• Cherry Blossom Festival: Held during the peak bloom time, the Newark Cherry Blossom Festival draws thousands every April to see more than 2,000 cherry trees in full bloom. The cherry trees were donated to the city's Branch Brook Park in the 1920s and are greater in variety and number than those at the nation's capital.
• Winterfest: Held annually in early December, the Newark Winterfest is a popular local event that features a number of family-friendly holiday activities, including carriage rides, street carolers, and ice carving. Many of the Main Street shops and restaurants in Newark's historic downtown, participate with festive decorations and seasonal refreshments.

SPORTS TEAMS

While Newark does not have any major or minor league athletic franchises, residents can enjoy the 23 varsity sports teams of the University of Delaware, known as the Fightin' Blue Hens. Neighboring Wilmington is home to a minor league baseball team, the Wilmington Blue Rocks, and nearby Philadelphia and Baltimore have more than 10 major league sports franchises, including the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Phillies, and Philadelphia Eagles.

EDUCATION

Established in 1743, the University of Delaware makes its home in Newark and is the state's largest university, enrolling nearly 20,000 students annually. The main campus covers 20,039 acres in suburban Newark, and extension campuses are located in neighboring Dover, Wilmington, Georgetown, and Lewes. Top-ranked nationally, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in over 100 disciplines and areas of study. Other institutions of higher learning within 30 miles include Delaware Technical & Community College of Stanton-Wilmington, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Wilmington College, Immaculata College, Widener University, and Delaware County Community College.

LOCAL MEDIA

The city is served by the local weekly newspaper Newark Post, which was founded in 1910, and by the quarterly magazine Newark Life, which features local community news and features. The city receives television and radio stations from the Philadelphia metropolitan market and other surrounding cities.