Bisected by Pulaski Highway, the northern Delaware city of Bear features a network of residential streets close to area parks and within driving distance of several major cities in the state. Pulaski Highway serves as the hub where residents can find places to shop and eat, and the Christiana Mall is around 4 miles north of the city. “You have a lot going on in Bear, for sure,” says Amanda Bradford, a local Realtor with Crown Homes Real Estate. “There are restaurants, main roads, and you’ve got some great schools. If you live there, you don’t need to go many places because it has such good restaurants.”
Primarily residential besides its main thoroughfare, Bear reportedly takes its name from a tavern that was a common stop between Wilmington and Dover. Supposedly, George Washington visited the tavern, and the establishment’s sign bore the image of a bear, which eventually gave the city its name. Bear still serves as a central location between those two cities, as it's less than 15 miles from Wilmington and less than 50 miles north of Dover. “You are getting the best of both worlds in Bear,” says Tiffanie Radomicki, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “If you are looking for quietness, it’s there, but if you want busyness, you can get that too because you’re so close to multiple major cities.”
In just over a century, Bear’s population has expanded almost 400 times over. Just 59 people called the region home in 1900, but the population now stands at around 23,000 residents. The landscape has changed as much as the number of residents in that time, as open spaces filled with corn stalks and grazing cattle have transformed into subdivisions. Despite the changes, the area has retained its peaceful atmosphere. “Everybody wants to live in Bear,” says Jemimah Chuks, a Realtor with EXP Realty and a top agent in Delaware. “It has good school districts and good houses. It’s a more family-oriented community. There are lots of parks, community parks and community centers.”
Newer townhomes in Bear feature up to three floors of living space.
Residents of Bear have easy access to Route 1 which leads directly to I-95.
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Architectural variety amid a residential landscape
Homebuyers can find a range of options in Bear. "The styles are all over the place, and there are all ages,” Bradford says. "Delaware was kind of built up in different segments of time. Some are older, and some are newer. If you’re looking for a home that has a little bit more land, Bear tends to have those options. In Bear, you can more easily find something with a little bit more acreage.”
Homes in Bear have a median selling price of about $410,000, but single-family properties typically range between $350,000 and $550,000, while townhouses typically sell for between $250,000 and $350,000. “There are areas closer to Pulaski Highway that are less expensive,” Bradford says. “The neighborhoods closer to the water are bigger homes and can be $600,000.” Architecture can range from ranch-style homes and split-levels for under $400,000 to larger, colonial-style homes on more acreage for over $500,000.
Low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing, and Bear can average half a foot of snow in the winter months, particularly in January. The summers heat up into the mid-80s.
A Traditional single family home in a neighborhood with well-maintained sidewalks in Bear.
Ranch homes on large lots can be found throughout the Bear neighborhood.
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Shopping and dining along Pulaski Highway
Most retail shopping outlets and restaurants are centered along Pulaski Highway, which cuts diagonally through the city. “It has the majority of food, restaurants, stores, shopping and all of that," Bradford says. Dining along the thoroughfare includes national chains, as well as international restaurants serving Mexican, Jamaican and Japanese food.
“There are tons of options for food,” Bradford says, adding, “There are a few brewing companies in there as well, like Autumn Arch Beer Projects and Midnight Oil Brewing Co.” Shopping centers on Pulaski have grocery stores like ShopRite and Food Lion, and the Christiana Mall, the state’s largest retail complex, is less than 5 miles north. “Everybody goes to the Christiana Mall,” Chuks says.
Stewarts Brewing Company has popular deals during the week in Bear, like $10 burger Tuesdays!
Enjoy your favorite pub eats at Shellhammers, a popular bar and restaurant in Bear.
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Zip lining through the tree canopies of Delaware
Several small parks sit within Bear, but most residents head beyond the city for recreation. Just south, nearly 1,800 acres make up Lums Pond State Park. It encircles the state’s largest freshwater pond and is lined with hiking and biking trails, amenities that are complemented by activities on the water as well. “Lums Pond is a huge park,” Bradford says. “You can camp, canoe and fish. There’s a sort of obstacle course in the trees, zip lining and a rock-climbing place that’s really cool.” The park incorporates Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park, which offers an obstacle course and zip lines among the forest canopy. Closer to Bear, Glasgow Regional Park spans 250 acres and offers sports facilities and pavilions. “It’s a huge, huge park,” Bradford says. “There are tons of playgrounds and walking paths, and the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA is right across from it.” The park also has a skate park and a farmers market. Within Bear itself, the Delaware Rock Gym offers indoor recreational opportunities.
Friends gather at Glasgow Park for exciting games of pickleball.
Cast your line in the pond at Beck's Pond Park.
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Staple activities and celebrations in Bear
Locals can make weekend reservations for a paintball war at Mansion House Farm Paintball, located on Porter Road in Bear, or step into another world entirely at Ctrl V Virtual Reality Arcade. Parents can sign kids up for dance classes in the area, as well. “Delaware Arts Conservatory is a really popular dance studio that’s right in the area,” Bradford says. Glasgow Regional Park plays host to the annual Holiday Celebration & Market, which spans two days each December and features a tree lighting, live music, train rides, local vendors and more. On Red Lion Road, the Faucher Family Christmas House has its own vibrant display of decorations each holiday season, while Good Shepherd Baptist Church hosts a monthly Hymn Sing event, as well as an Easter egg hunt. “Bear is also pretty close to the historic Delaware City right on the Delaware River, and it’s just the smallest little town in Delaware,” Bradford says. “That’s where Fort Delaware is, which is a giant army fort built on an island in the middle of the Delaware River.” Fort Delaware is less than 10 miles away and offers tours.
Education within the Christina School District
Students in Bear are mostly served by the Christina School District, which has over 13,000 students and receives a C-plus from Niche. The district encompasses several early education centers, 14 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools. Nearby private schools include Fairwinds Christian School, which receives a B-plus from Niche, and Delaware Valley Classical School, which gets an A. Over 5 miles northeast of Bear, Wilmington University offers seven different colleges of concentration to about 14,000 students.
Students will find a vibrant learning hub at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School in Newark.
Glasgow High School is home of the dragons and has 784 students in grades 9-12.
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Access to major routes and highways
“Pulaski Highway is the main route going through Bear,” Bradford says of the area's major artery, which is also designated as Route 40. An interchange connecting to Route 1 is located near the north end of the city, and access to Interstate 95 can be found about 5 miles north. Philadelphia is less than 50 miles away by way of I-95. Wilmington Airport is about 5 miles northeast and supports one airline, while downtown Wilmington sits about 12 miles north of Bear.
DART buses make stops along Route 40, but public transportation in the area is limited. “It’s mostly private transportation,” Chuks says. “The buses are there, but just in strategic locations.”
ChristianaCare Christiana Hospital is located about 6 miles north of Bear, near the Christiana Mall. ChristianaCare also serves as one of Bear's largest employers of, due to the hospital’s proximity to the city.
Crime rates in New Castle County
Bear is part of New Castle County, and the county’s most recent crime data dates to 2023. That year, the county recorded an average of 249.3 violent crimes per month, up from 2022’s monthly average of 246.9. For property crimes, New Castle County logged an average of 285.8 each month in 2023, which was a slight decrease from 2022’s average of 289.1. In 2023, New Castle County’s violent and property crime frequencies were both below the state of Delaware’s rates.
As the owner and broker of Foraker Realty Co., a locally owned boutique real estate firm, I’m passionate about helping clients successfully navigate the real estate market in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. With over six years of experience in the industry, I specialize in facilitating the sale of residential properties, ensuring a smooth and personalized experience for every client.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
