Newport, Delaware

Geography

Newport is located at 39°42′49″N 75°36′34″W (39.7137238, −75.6093709).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²), of which 2.22% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,122 people, 456 households, and 290 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,554.0 inhabitants per square mile (986.1/km²). There were 490 housing units at an average density of 1,115.4 per square mile (430.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 75.76% White, 10.61% African American, 0.80% Native American, 1.69% Asian, 5.08% from other races, and 6.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.55% of the population.

There were 456 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,864, and the median income for a family was $41,771. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $26,420 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,590. About 9.9% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

History

Prior to European settlement, the Minquas (or Susquehannock) peoples lived in and around modern-day Newport. This heritage is reflected in the name of the Minquas Fire Company, Newport's volunteer fire company.

The first land grant for the area were awarded to the Duke of York in 1641. In 1731, longtime area resident and businessman John Justis purchased 100 acres (0.40 km²) and several years later the streets of a town called Newport-Ayre were laid out. According to Newport histories, Justis saw the area's potential as a commercial crossroads and a port.

George Washington passed through during the Revolutionary War during preparations for the Battle of the Brandywine in 1777. The town dropped "Ayre" from its name by the time what would become the U.S. Postal Service opened a branch office there in 1793.

Newport became a center of commerce in the early 19th century, as Conestoga wagons transported farm products from as far away as Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Newport's docks on the Christina River, where the supplies were loaded on ships bound for Boston, New York and Philadelphia. The town's important role in trade ebbed as new roads favored the larger town of Wilmington and the railroad reached the area in 1837.

Newport incorporated in 1873 and became a manufacturing center, boasting chemical works, glue factory and iron works in 1900. Henrik J. Krebs, founder of Krebs Pigments and Chemical Company, built a plant in town in 1908. The facility was purchased by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in 1929 and later sold to it to Ciba-Geigy in 1984.

The Armstrong Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M., Collison House, Galloway-Walker House, Killgore Hall, Joseph Killgore House, Newport National Bank, Newport Railroad Station, Joseph Tatnall House, Lewis Weldin House, and Woman's Club of Newport are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Economy

Newport has several small industries within its borders, including a BASF pigment manufacturing plant.

The General Motors Wilmington Assembly automobile manufacturing facility was located on Boxwood Road just north of the town and operated from 1947 to 2009. In October 2009, Fisker Automotive announced it would begin manufacturing electric automobiles at the Boxwood Road location. However, the plant remains idle.

Education

Newport is served by the Red Clay Consolidated School District. Richey Elementary School is located in town proper off of East Highland Ave.

Conrad Schools of Science and Delaware Military Academy, magnet high schools, are located just outside the town.

Sports

The Stanton-Newport Little League Girls Softball team were Little League Senior League Softball Champions in 1999.

Notable people