Is Bear Safe, Pros and cons of living in Bear

Bear, Delaware, offers a suburban lifestyle with convenient access to urban amenities, making it an appealing location for many. The community provides a blend of residential comfort and practical living, situated within reach of Wilmington. It is a place where car-dependent living is the norm, and family-friendly activities are readily available.

The town’s atmosphere is characterized by a steady, residential pace, appealing to those seeking a quieter environment without being too far from city conveniences. Planning for a move here involves considering factors such as schools, budgeting, and commute times, all of which contribute to the overall day-to-day experience in Bear.

Is it Safe to Live in Bear?

Crime in Bear presents a mixed picture, with some sources indicating rates that are equal to the national average for violent crimes, while others suggest a higher overall crime rate compared to national averages. Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Bear is approximately 1 in 48, and the area is considered safer than 24% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes). NeighborhoodScout data indicates that Bear’s crime rate is higher than 42% of Delaware’s cities and towns, with a violent crime rate of about 2 per thousand inhabitants and a property crime rate of 11 per thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, the zip code 19701 within Bear is noted as very safe, with an overall crime index 48% below the national average and a safety grade of A (as reported by DoorProfit).

When considering specific neighborhoods, the southwest part of Bear is generally regarded as the safest, while the northeast experiences more crime incidents. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime can range from 1 in 268 in the northeast to 1 in 702 in the southwest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The total projected cost of crime in Bear for 2025 is estimated at over $20 million, translating to about $458 per resident (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Market and Costs

Bear’s housing market offers a variety of options, including detached single-family homes, attached townhouses, and multi-family buildings, with 32% of housing units being detached single-family homes (as reported by Point2Homes). The median listing home price in Bear is approximately $385,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®), while Zillow indicates an average home value of $414,666 as of March 2026, showing a 3.7% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Redfin reports that in March 2026, Bear home prices were up 7.1% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $330,000 (as reported by Redfin).

Rental prices in Bear vary, with Zillow reporting an average rent of $2,278 per month (as reported by Zillow). Apartments.com notes the average rent as $1,825 per month as of May 2026, which is 11% higher than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Redfin indicates a median rent price of $2,300 per month as of March 2026 (as reported by Redfin), while Realtor.com® states a median rent price of $2.3K per month (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Job Market and Economy

As of February 2023, Delaware employed approximately 472,000 people, with a 2.43% increase in employment from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). In Bear specifically, employment saw a slight decline of -0.289% between 2023 and 2024, with around 12,100 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for Bear residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Finance & Insurance (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Bear is approximately $42,862, with an hourly rate of about $20.61 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, Data USA indicates a median household income of $91,687 (as reported by Data USA), and Zippia states the average annual salary for an average job in Bear is $67,000 per year, or $32.21 per hour (as reported by Zippia). The unemployment rate in Delaware was 5.4% in February 2026, unchanged from the previous month and higher than the U.S. overall rate (as reported by USAFacts).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Bear experiences a humid subtropical climate with no dry season, characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 26°F to 86°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 13°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by BestPlaces). The hottest month is July, with average highs of 85°F and lows of 69°F, while January is the coldest, with average highs of 41°F and lows of 27°F (as reported by BestPlaces).

Annual precipitation averages around 47 inches, with about 19 inches of snowfall (as reported by MyPerfectWeather). Summer months, particularly July and August, can feel uncomfortably humid (as reported by MyPerfectWeather). The area receives approximately 40.77 millimeters (1.61 inches) of precipitation annually, with about 43.09 rainy days per year (as reported by BestPlaces).

Education and School Ratings

Bear, Delaware, is served by several public elementary schools, including Loss (Olive B.) Elementary School, Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary School, and Oberle (William) Elementary School. Public schools in Bear demonstrate stronger performance than the Delaware average in math and reading proficiency, with scores of 38% and 45% respectively, compared to state averages of 31% and 42% (as reported by Niche). These schools generally hold an average ranking of 7 out of 10, placing them in the top 50% of Delaware public schools (as reported by Niche).

Loss (Olive B.) Elementary School is highlighted as a standout performer, consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the state (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Conversely, Oberle (William) Elementary School appears to be the weakest performer among the three (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). A notable concern across these schools is a high chronic absenteeism rate of 20.4% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics and Population

Bear, Delaware, is home to a population of approximately 22,400 residents (as reported by Data USA). The demographic makeup is diverse, with Black or African American residents forming the largest group at 37.72%, followed by White residents at 30.05%, and Hispanic or Latino residents at 21.18% (as reported by World Population Review and Census Dots). A significant portion of Bear’s population, about 22.9%, was born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).

The median age in Bear is around 37.9 years (as reported by World Population Review). The population is distributed across various age groups, with about 19.7% under 15, 10.1% between 15 and 24, 29.6% between 25 and 44, 25.7% between 45 and 64, and 14.9% aged 65 and older (as reported by Point2Homes). The gender distribution shows approximately 47.1% males and 52.9% females (as reported by Point2Homes).

Pros and Cons of Living in Bear

Bear offers a suburban lifestyle with relatively affordable housing compared to some surrounding areas, and its diverse population contributes to a vibrant community. The town’s location provides convenient access to major employment centers and recreational activities, making it a practical choice for commuters and families.

However, Bear’s crime rates are a concern, with some statistics placing them at or above the national average for certain categories. Additionally, while public schools show strong proficiency scores, high chronic absenteeism rates are noted, and residents generally rely on cars for transportation due to limited public transit options.