County · Delaware
Sussex County, Delaware
Sussex County, Delaware. Sussex County had 277,140 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 16.8% since 2020, faster than Delaware (+7.1%). It holds 27 places (25 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 75 census tracts. GEOID 10005.
Sussex County is the county of the Seaford, DE micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
277,140
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 237,378 · ACS 2020-2024: 255,626
Median household income
$81,497
±$1,512 (90% margin)
Delaware: $84,954
Median home value
$382,600
±$6,986 (90% margin)
Delaware: $352,000
Median gross rent
$1,238
±$42 (90% margin)
Delaware: $1,401
How many people live in Sussex County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 237,378 residents in Sussex County. The Census Bureau estimates 277,140 for July 1, 2025, up 16.8% since 2020, faster than Delaware (+7.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 255,626 over 936 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sussex County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 255,626 | 1,021,191 | +31,242 |
| Households | 106,441±1,143 | 402,038 | +14,744 |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.03 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 151,799±115 | 464,203 | +13,616 |
Sussex County's population since 2000
From 156,638 in 2000 to 277,140 in 2025: up 76.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Sussex County?
Sussex County holds 27 places: 25 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Seaford with 9,165 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Seaford | 7,957 | $54,016 |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown | 7,134 | $49,719 |
| Milford | 11,190 | $59,464 |
| Millsboro | 6,863 | $78,707 |
| Laurel | 3,865 | $48,644 |
| Lewes | 3,303 | $96,393 |
| Milton | 3,291 | $80,875 |
| Long Neck | 3,017 | $56,745 |
| Selbyville | 2,878 | $75,592 |
| Ocean View | 2,636 | $91,500 |
| Bridgeville | 2,568 | $64,879 |
| Delmar | 2,027 | $61,250 |
| Millville | 1,825 | $99,776 |
| Blades | 1,179 | $56,875 |
| Rehoboth Beach | 1,108 | $137,500 |
| Greenwood | 990 | $73,345 |
| Bethany Beach | 954 | $117,159 |
| LincolnGEOID 1042480 | 894 | $107,690 |
| Dagsboro | 870 | $60,607 |
| Frankford | 790 | $77,206 |
| Ellendale | 487 | $65,250 |
| South BethanyGEOID 1067700 | 451 | $116,875 |
| Dewey Beach | 353 | $105,625 |
| Fenwick Island | 343 | $113,125 |
| BethelGEOID 1005820 | 239 | $99,375 |
| Slaughter BeachGEOID 1067050 | 218 | $109,375 |
| Henlopen AcresGEOID 1033900 | 139 | $151,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Sussex County?
The median resident of Sussex County is 51.9 years old; 18.1% are under 18 and 30.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.5%. 8.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sussex County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.9±0.2 | 41.6 | +2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 18.1% | 20.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 30.2% | 20.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.5% | 11.0% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.3%±0.3 pts | 58.1% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.8%±0.4 pts | 21.4% | −2.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.4%±0.5 pts | 10.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.0%±0.5 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±0.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9%±0.6 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0%±0.5 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.2%±0.6 pts | 91.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.0%±0.9 pts | 35.8% | +4.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.1%±0.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Sussex County earn?
Half of Sussex County's 106,441 households earn less than $81,497 a year (±$1,512), against $84,954 in Delaware. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,733 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,764 after inflation. 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sussex County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,497±$1,512 | $84,954 | +$3,764 |
| Mean household income | $109,282±$2,519 | $112,616 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,684±$1,039 | $45,375 | +$3,005 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.9%±0.9 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.9%±2.7 pts | 15.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6%±0.8 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.5%±0.8 pts | 92.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Sussex County?
Owners occupy 81.6% of Sussex County's occupied homes and renters 18.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $382,600 by its owner (±$6,986). The median renter pays $1,238 a month including utilities, and 42.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sussex County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $382,600±$6,986 | $352,000 | +$64,343 |
| Median gross rent | $1,238±$42 | $1,401 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.8%±3.4 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,736±$30 | $1,816 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.6%±1.1 pts | 73.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 151,799±115 | 464,203 | +13,616 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.6%±1.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.4%±0.9 pts | 59.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.8%±0.7 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 6.1%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±0.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Sussex County building?
Builders took permits for 3,885 new housing units across Sussex County in 2025 (3,264 single-family), 14.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Sussex County get to work?
75.4% of Sussex County's workers drive alone and 13.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Sussex County | Delaware | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.1%±0.6 pts | 62.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±0.7 pts | 5.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.4%±1.2 pts | 71.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±0.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.4%±0.8 pts | 15.0% | +6.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.3 min±0.7 | 26.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Sussex County's census tracts?
Sussex County is divided into 75 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,528 (Tract 507.11) to $160,750 (Tract 510.09).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sussex County compare with Delaware's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 3 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 1st of 3 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 3 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 3 |
| Median home value | 1st of 3 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 3 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2nd of 3 |
| Median age | 1st of 3 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Sussex County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.