Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
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Rehoboth Beach is a city located in Sussex County, Delaware. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,495.
The city was founded in 1873 as the Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting Association by the Rev. Robert W. Todd, of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilmington, Delaware, as a site for Methodist camp meetings in the spirit of similar resorts on the New Jersey shore, such as Ocean City. The Camp Meeting Association disbanded in 1881, and in 1891, the location was incorporated by the Delaware General Assembly as "Henlopen City", shortly after which it was renamed to Rehoboth Beach.
Rehoboth is a name of Biblical appellation, meaning "place [or space] for all". It appears four times in the Old Testament as, variously, a well dug by Isaac (Wadi er-Ruheibeh) (Gen. 26:22), a city on the Euphrates River (Gen. 36:37; 1 Chr. 1:48), and one of the cities of Asshur (Gen. 10:11). Consequently, the name had obvious appeal to the religious founders of the city.
The town often bills itself as "The Nation's Summer Capital" due to the fact that it is a frequent summer vacation destination for residents of Washington DC. In addition, it is a popular destination for gay and lesbian tourists and residents.
Rehoboth Beach, together with the towns of Lewes, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island, comprises Delaware's beach resorts and is Sussex County's most densely-populated and fastest-growing area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.3 km² (1.6 mi²). 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 28.48% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,495 people, 847 households, and 343 families residing in the city. The population density is 489.2/km² (1,266.5/mi²). There are 3,167 housing units at an average density of 1,036.3/km² (2,682.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 98.13% White, 0.27% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 847 households out of which 6.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% are married couples living together, 3.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 59.4% are non-families. 47.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 23.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.71 and the average family size is 2.35.
In the city the population is spread out with 7.0% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 37.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 57 years. For every 100 females there are 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $51,429, and the median income for a family is $58,558. Males have a median income of $56,250 versus $28,295 for females. The per capita income for the city is $38,494. 5.3% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- City of Rehoboth Beach - Official Site (http://www.cityofrehoboth.com/)
- Rehoboth Beach Police Department (http://www.rehobothpolice.org/)
- Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce (http://www.beach-fun.com/)
- RehobothCam - live beach camera (http://www.rehobothcam.com/)
- C.A.M.P. Rehoboth - fostering understanding and unity in Rehoboth Beach (http://www.camprehoboth.com/)