Bear, Delaware
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Bear is an unincorporated, suburban community and census-designated place located in New Castle County, Delaware. As of the 2000 census, the community had a total population of 17,593.
Originally a small crossroads in a rural area south of Wilmington, Delaware, 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 developments and shopping malls along US Route 40. Bear is not an incorporated municipality or strictly delineated area in the county, but instead a general reference to the collection of communities in the US ZIP codes 19701-19702.
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 US 40 and State Route 7), whose sign was decorated with the image of a large bear.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 14.9 km² (5.7 mi²). 14.9 km² (5.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 17,593 people, 6,027 households, and 4,544 families residing in the community. The population density is 1,183.4/km² (3,063.4/mi²). There are 6,265 housing units at an average density of 421.4/km² (1,090.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the community is 66.91% White, 26.79% African American, 0.22% Native American, 2.03% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 5.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,027 households out of which 46.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% are married couples living together, 18.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% are non-families. 18.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 2.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.92 and the average family size is 3.30.
In the community the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.7 males.
The median income for a household in the community is $53,240, and the median income for a family is $57,509. Males have a median income of $40,115 versus $30,231 for females. The per capita income for the community is $20,715. 5.4% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
Education for Bear is provided by the Appoquinimink School District (http://www.apposchooldistrict.com/) the same provider to Middletown.