DelawarePop. 22,370Towns
Is Bear a Good Place to Live? Bear, Delaware: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Bear ranks #758 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #130 of 234 towns and #9 of 20 in Delaware. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on high rents ($1,771/mo, #209 of 231) and high living costs (102.6, #190 of 230).
Bear by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Bear's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Bear: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Bear safe?
What is the cost of living in Bear?
Bear's cost of living index is 102.6, 3% above the US level of 100 and #816 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,771/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $412,883, 2% above the typical Delaware home ($406,074).
| Measure | Bear | DelawareDE | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 102.6#816 of 1,308 | 99.8 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $412,883#652 of 1,187 | $406,074 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,583/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,243/mo#817 of 1,115 | — | $1,583/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $304,800#542 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,771/mo#940 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 3.3x#301 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 23.2%#799 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Delaware is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Bear housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Bear is in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro.
Delaware housing market →Is Bear safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Bear alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Bear crime rate or rank it on safety. Delaware as a whole records 347 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Bear?
The median household in Bear earns $91,687, 10% above the US figure of $83,163 and 5% above Delaware ($87,534). 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bear | DelawareDE | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $91,687#440 of 1,312 | $87,534 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 8.7%#387 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Delaware is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Bear?
The median resident of Bear is 37.9 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 32.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #703 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 65.1% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Bear | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 37.9 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 32.5%#703 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 65.1% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Bear's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Bear to describe its public schools. 36% of adults are obese and 12.8% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Bear | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 36%#866 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 12.8%#918 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 17%#634 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 11.2%#806 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Bear?
The average commute in Bear is 24.1 minutes (Delaware 26.8); 1.1% of workers take transit and 15.1% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Bear scores 11.1 of 20 (above average walkable), #574 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 75.3°F and winters 35.7°F, with 45.3 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Bear | DelawareDE | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 24.1 min#695 of 1,312 | 26.8 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 5.7%#674 of 1,312 | 8.8% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 70.6% | 72.2% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.4% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 15.1% | 12.9% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 11.1#574 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Delaware is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41.4 | 25.6 | 3.2 |
| Feb | 44.1 | 27 | 2.8 |
| Mar | 52.5 | 33.9 | 4.2 |
| Apr | 64.2 | 43.5 | 3.5 |
| May | 73.5 | 53.4 | 3.6 |
| Jun | 82.2 | 63 | 4.7 |
| Jul | 86.8 | 68.3 | 4.4 |
| Aug | 84.9 | 66.6 | 4 |
| Sep | 78.5 | 59.3 | 4.4 |
| Oct | 67 | 47.3 | 3.7 |
| Nov | 55.9 | 37.4 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 46 | 30.3 | 3.9 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Wilmington New Castle Co Airport.
| Measure | Bear | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 55.5°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 75.3°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 35.7°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 45.3 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Wilmington New Castle Co Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Bear?
New Castle County's air had a median air quality index of 44, and 64% of measured days were rated good; 4 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts New Castle County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, earthquake, and coastal flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 60% of US counties.
| Measure | Bear | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 44#571 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 4#645 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.14%#537 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for New Castle County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, New Castle County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.1% | 72% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0052% | 67% of counties |
| Coastal flooding | 0.0027% | 65% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0044% | 65% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0011% | 32% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0027% | 27% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Bear compare with similar-size cities?
Bear is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #130 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 22,370.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear, DEPop. 22,370 | #758 | 54.1 | $91,687 | $1,771/mo | no data | 24.1 min |
| North Platte, NEPop. 22,831 | #945 | 51.0 | $58,097 | $921/mo | 116 | 13.3 min |
| Central Falls, RIPop. 22,701 | #937 | 51.2 | $49,285 | $1,200/mo | 273 | 27.4 min |
| Portsmouth, NHPop. 22,545 | #84 | 68.9 | $106,219 | $1,869/mo | 203 | 22.2 min |
| Junction City, KSPop. 22,331 | #812 | 53.2 | $61,181 | $1,024/mo | 609 | 19 min |
| Ruston, LAPop. 22,284 | #1231 | 43.6 | $31,120 | $816/mo | 286 | 15.1 min |
| Sanford, MEPop. 22,247 | #521 | 57.8 | $72,524 | $1,152/mo | 190 | 28.1 min |
| Kapolei, HIPop. 22,232 | #248 | 63.3 | $128,324 | $2,311/mo | no data | 31.2 min |
| Sun Valley, NVPop. 22,228 | #1214 | 44.5 | $77,446 | $1,214/mo | no data | 25.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Bear compare with the rest of Delaware?
Bear ranks #9 of the 20 Delaware cities we track, with a score of 54.1 against Delaware's statewide 53.6. Its households earn 5% above the Delaware median. Homes are 2% above the typical Delaware home.
| City | Rank in DE | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Star, DEPop. 7,834 | #1 | 72.3 | $150,733 | — | no data |
| Hockessin, DEPop. 13,439 | #2 | 72.1 | $171,204 | $3,501/mo | no data |
| Pike Creek, DEPop. 7,129 | #3 | 68.8 | $139,635 | $2,262/mo | no data |
| Middletown, DEPop. 24,661 | #4 | 64.5 | $112,831 | $1,583/mo | 186 |
| Pike Creek Valley, DEPop. 12,431 | #5 | 60.8 | $102,434 | $1,751/mo | no data |
| Glasgow, DEPop. 15,546 | #6 | 58.5 | $113,982 | $2,039/mo | no data |
| Millsboro, DEPop. 7,424 | #7 | 55.7 | $78,707 | $1,277/mo | 345 |
| Newark, DEPop. 30,330 | #8 | 55.6 | $76,912 | $1,654/mo | 299 |
| Bear, DEPop. 22,370 | #9 | 54.1 | $91,687 | $1,771/mo | no data |
| Claymont, DEPop. 8,786 | #10 | 53.3 | $74,712 | $1,306/mo | no data |
| Wilmington Manor, DEPop. 8,214 | #11 | 52.9 | $78,078 | $1,155/mo | no data |
| Milford, DEPop. 12,803 | #12 | 51.9 | $59,464 | $1,260/mo | 464 |
| Elsmere, DEPop. 6,203 | #13 | 50.6 | $67,944 | $1,339/mo | 144 |
| Brookside, DEPop. 15,115 | #14 | 49.9 | $78,328 | $1,444/mo | no data |
| Smyrna, DEPop. 13,165 | #15 | 47.6 | $67,048 | $1,534/mo | 544 |
| Wilmington, DEPop. 71,727 | #16 | 46.9 | $58,671 | $1,224/mo | 1,152 |
| Edgemoor, DEPop. 6,349 | #17 | 46.9 | $59,424 | $1,438/mo | no data |
| Seaford, DEPop. 8,485 | #18 | 46.2 | $54,016 | $1,176/mo | 641 |
| Dover, DEPop. 39,837 | #19 | 44.9 | $60,199 | $1,344/mo | 847 |
| Georgetown, DEPop. 7,660 | #20 | 42.8 | $49,719 | $1,410/mo | 719 |
All 20 Delaware cities we track, by overall score. Delaware statewide: median income $87,534, violent crime 346.9 per 100,000.
How is Bear's score calculated?
Bear scores 54.1 out of 100, #758 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Delaware's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Bear. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
49.3 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Bear. Similar-size median 56.5.
49.1 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Bear's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
62.0 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Bear. Similar-size median 50.8.
64.1 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Bear. Similar-size median 48.3.
50.3 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Bear's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
53.2 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
56.1 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Bear alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Bear.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Bear.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Bear's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Bear has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Bear
Is Bear, DE a good place to live?
Bear ranks #758 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #130 of 234 towns and #9 of 20 in Delaware. Against similar-size cities it has no measure in the top quarter and trails on high rents ($1,771/mo, #209 of 231) and high living costs (102.6, #190 of 230).
What is the cost of living in Bear?
Bear's cost of living index is 102.6, 3% above the US level of 100 and #816 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,771/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $412,883, 2% above the typical Delaware home ($406,074).
Is Bear safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Bear alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Bear crime rate or rank it on safety. Delaware as a whole records 347 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Bear?
The median household in Bear earns $91,687, 10% above the US figure of $83,163 and 5% above Delaware ($87,534). 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Bear?
Median rent in Bear is $1,771/mo (Census), #940 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,243/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 23.2% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Bear?
The typical home value in Bear is $412,883, up 1.3% in a year, against $406,074 for Delaware and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $304,800.
How are the public schools in Bear?
We have too few school records for Bear to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Bear?
The average commute is 24.1 minutes, #695 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.8 minutes across Delaware. 5.7% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Bear?
Bear averages 55.5°F over the year, 75.3°F in summer and 35.7°F in winter, with 45.3 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Bear walkable?
Bear scores 11.1 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #574 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Bear at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts New Castle County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, earthquake, and coastal flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 60% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Bear?
New Castle County's air had a median air quality index of 44, and 64% of measured days were rated good; 4 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Bear?
Bear has 22,370 residents. The median resident of Bear is 37.9 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 32.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #703 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 65.1% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Bear compare with the rest of Delaware?
Bear ranks #9 of the 20 Delaware cities we track, with a score of 54.1 against Delaware's statewide 53.6. Its households earn 5% above the Delaware median. Homes are 2% above the typical Delaware home.
What cities are similar in size to Bear?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Bear's population of 22,370 are North Platte, NE (#945 overall), Central Falls, RI (#937 overall), Portsmouth, NH (#84 overall), Junction City, KS (#812 overall), and Ruston, LA (#1231 overall). Bear is #758.