Moving to or from Bear?
An unincorporated Delaware suburb along the I-95 corridor between Wilmington and Newark — with significant residential growth since the 1980s, affordable housing, and easy access to both Wilmington's banking jobs and Newark's University of Delaware employment.
- 21,000 City population
- 725,000 Metro area
- 1982 Founded
- New Castle County / I-95 Corridor Region
Why people move to Bear.
- Being an unincorporated community in New Castle County
- Being between Wilmington and Newark on the I-95 corridor
- Fair Hill Shopping Center and retail corridor
- Proximity to Delaware Park horse racing and casino
- Christiana Mall (adjacent)
- Delaware's no-sales-tax advantage
Bear is an unincorporated community in New Castle County, Delaware — not an official city or town with its own government. The unusual name comes from the 'Bear Tavern' that stood at the intersection of roads in the area in the 1800s. The community has grown rapidly since the 1980s, with multiple master-planned subdivisions filling in the farmland between Wilmington and Newark.
Where people live in Bear.
A quick guide to Bear's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Central Bear
Established residential
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Fox Run
Master-planned community
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Rutherford
Newer subdivisions
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Glasgow (adjacent)
Another unincorporated NCC community
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Newark (adjacent)
University of Delaware's home city
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Wilmington (nearby)
Delaware's largest city
Where people spend their time in Bear.
- Fair Hill Shopping Center Central Bear
- Delaware Park Casino & Racing (nearby) Stanton
- Christiana Mall (nearby) Christiana
- First State National Historical Park New Castle County
- Delaware City (nearby) Delaware City
- Lum's Pond State Park Glasgow
Planning a Bear move.
- Delaware has no state sales tax — financial advantage for furniture/appliance purchases
- New Castle County property taxes are moderate
- I-95 corridor traffic affects the area
- Wilmington and Newark are both 10-15 minutes away
Moving in Bear: FAQ.
Is Bear a real city?
Not officially — Bear is an unincorporated community in New Castle County, Delaware. It doesn't have its own city government, mayor, or municipal services beyond what the county provides. Mail addresses use 'Bear, DE' even though there's no city named Bear. Schools are part of Christina or Appoquinimink districts. This arrangement is common in Delaware, which has only three incorporated cities in New Castle County.
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