First settled around 1694 by Scots-Irish and Welsh settlers, Newark received a charter from King George II in 1758. Nestled right where two creeks join the Delaware River, Newark is a very old and very beautiful city. Its population was just a bit over 30,000 in 2006. The city has grown up around the University of Delaware, chartered in 1833. While Newark has retained much of its very impressive history, the city has certainly gone along with the times as well. Newark has an extremely low crime rate. Newark and the surrounding area is beautiful, with rolling hills, lots of parkland and several rivers, farms and forests. The winters are harsh in Newark, but the summers are quite pleasant. Those moving to Newark will discover the beauty of the area and the gorgeous changes of the seasons.
Economy:
The state of Delaware is number 10 of highest paid states, and Newark has a much higher than median average yearly income. The majority of jobs in Newark are at the University, but there are jobs in many different areas available. Newark is situated nearly midway between Philadelphia (45 miles away) and Baltimore (55 miles away) so there are people who live in Newark and commute to jobs in these cities. This greatly increases the job possibilities. In general, the cost of living in Newark is quite good, while the cost of living is slightly below the national averages.
Tourism:
Newark is filled with historical places to visit, such as Cooch's Bridge, site of the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware. White Clay Park offers many hiking and biking trails, along with fishing. Iron Hill Museum features exhibits from pre-historical time to present, centering on geology, and showing stone-age tools. Local festivals include the Newark film festival and Oktoberfest in September. The Mid-Atlantic Ballet performs there. In addition, there are a large number of historical sites and buildings in and around Newark. The University of Delaware has two impressive museums, the Paul R. Jones collection of African-American art and the Delaware Mineralogical Museum. Nearby Philadelphia and Baltimore both have professional sports teams year around.
History:
Newark was first settled around 1694 by Scots-Irish and Welsh immigrants. The area soon became a place to serve travelers on their way to the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to catering to travelers, the area soon grew with farming, mills and a tannery. In the late 19th century, a small academy was established, soon to become the University of Delaware. The city grew around this center of learning.