Editing Sussex County, Delaware

{{short description|County in Delaware, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Sussex County
 | state                = Delaware
 | type                 = [[List of counties in Delaware|County of Delaware]]
 | flag                 = Flag of Sussex County, Delaware.svg
 | seal                 = Sussex County Seal.jpg
 | founded year         = 1683
 | founded date         = August 8
 | seat wl              = Georgetown
 | largest city wl      = Seaford
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1196
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 936
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 260
 | area percentage      = 21.7
 | population_total     = 237378
 | pop_est_as_of = 2024<ref name="Est2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 11, 2025}}</ref>
 | population_est       = 271134 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 253.61
 | district             = At-large
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | web                  = www.sussexcountyde.gov
 | ex image             = Sussex County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Sussex County Courthouse in Georgetown
 | census yr            = 2020
 | named for            = [[Sussex]], England
}}

'''Sussex County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the southern part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Delaware]], on the [[Delmarva Peninsula]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 237,378, making it the state's second most populated county behind [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle]] and ahead of [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent]].<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/10/10005.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717015224/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/10/10005.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Georgetown, Delaware|Georgetown]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226034108/https://explorer.naco.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first European settlement in the state of Delaware was founded by the Dutch in 1631 near the present-day town of [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]] on the Atlantic Coast. However, Sussex County was not organized until 1683 under English colonial rule.

Sussex County forms the [[Seaford, Delaware|Seaford]], Delaware, Micropolitan Statistical Area.<ref>https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf</ref>

==History==

===Beginnings===
Archaeologists estimate that the first inhabitants of Sussex County, the southernmost county in Delaware, arrived between 10,000 and 14,000 years ago. Various indigenous cultures occupied the area, especially along the river and the coast, often having seasonal fishing villages. Historic Native Americans in Sussex County were members of [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]]-speaking tribes, as were most coastal peoples along the Atlantic Coast.

By the historic period of European encounter, the most prominent tribes in the area were the [[Lenape]], whose territory extended through the mid-Atlantic states to Connecticut and the future New York metropolitan area, and [[Nanticoke Indian Tribe|Nanticoke]] tribes. The people settled along the numerous bodies of water in the area where they were able to harvest fish, oysters, and other shellfish in the fall and winter. In the warmer months the women planted and cultivated crops, and processed the food. The men hunted deer and other small mammals, as larger game was not present in the area.<ref>{{cite book|title=The History of Sussex County, Delaware|author=Harold B. Hancock|date=1976|pages=1, 2}}</ref>

===European discovery===
There is no agreement on which European group was the first to settle in Sussex County. Historians believe that, in the early years of exploration from 1593 to 1630, Swedish explorers were likely the first Europeans to see the Delaware River and the lands of present-day Sussex County.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

On an expedition for the [[Dutch West India Company]], [[Henry Hudson]] recorded discovery in 1609 of what was later named the [[Delaware River]]. Attempting to follow him, [[Samuel Argall]], an English explorer, was blown off course in 1610 and landed in a strange bay which he named after the Governor of Virginia, [[Thomas West, Lord De La Warr]].

In the first half of 1613, [[Cornelius Jacobsen Mey]], a Dutch navigator, discovered and named both [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]] and [[Cape Henlopen]] (originally Hindlopen) in the Delaware Bay. Later it was found that what May had named Henlopen was [[Fenwick Island (Delaware–Maryland)|Fenwick Island]], protruding into the Atlantic Ocean. The name of the cape was moved to its present location just east of Lewes.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

===European settlement===
Sussex County was the site of the first European settlement in Delaware, a Dutch trading post named [[Zwaanendael]] at the present site of [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]]. On June 3, 1631, Dutch captain [[David Pietersen de Vries]] landed along the shores of the Delaware to establish a whaling colony in the mid-Atlantic of the New World. The colony lasted only until 1632, when De Vries left. Upon returning to Zwaanendael that December, he found the Indian tribes had killed his men and burned the colony. The Dutch set about settling the area once again.<ref>Hancock, pp 12-13.</ref>

Although the Dutch and Swedes returned to resettle the Delaware River region as early as 1638, much of the Delaware Bay area south of what is today the city of Newcastle was not settled until 1662. At that time, the city of Amsterdam made a grant of land at the Hoernkills (the area around Cape Henlopen, near the current town of [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]]) to a party of [[Mennonite]]s. A total of 35 men were to be included in the settlement, led by a [[Pieter Corneliszoon Plockhoy|Pieter Cornelisz Plockhoy]] of Zierikzee, and funded by a sizable loan from the city to get them established. This settlement, established in 1663, was organized in part by the Dutch to respond to threats from the English colony of Maryland to the west beginning to assert rights over the area. The English wrested control of New Netherland from the Dutch in 1664 and they destroyed the Mennonite settlement that same year; English reports indicated that “not even a nail” was left there.<ref>[Scharf, Thomas J., ''History of Delaware, 1609 – 1888'', 1888</ref>

Settlement in the area after the English ejected the Dutch was slow. The Swedes and Finns who had settled in the area from the days of New Sweden had generally welcomed the English and were allowed to stay; the few Dutch found in the area were rounded up as prisoners and sent to Virginia as slaves. Lord Baltimore encouraged Marylanders to move east to settle the area. But the land was far removed from other, more established settlements and did not appeal to many new settlers. It was a tempting wilderness base for pirates to hide out from authorities and regularly pillage settlers for supplies.

The [[Netherlands|Dutch]] briefly recaptured the territory in 1673 as part of the [[Third Anglo-Dutch War]]. At that point, they established courts in the town of New Castle and at the Hoerkill at the southern end of the territory, effectively creating two counties out of the territory. After the war concluded in 1674, the Delaware territory was returned to the English. It was then placed under the control of [[James Stuart, Duke of York]].

[[File:Seal of Sussex County Delaware 1683.jpg|thumb|1683 Seal of Sussex County]]
In 1680, the Duke reorganized the territory south of the [[Mispillion River]] as Deale County with the county seat at New Deale (modern-day Lewes); and created a third county, [[Kent County, Delaware|St. Jones]], out of the Delaware territory between the Mispillion River and Duck Creek. In 1682, English King [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] awarded the Delaware territories to [[William Penn]] in settlement of family debts, and Penn reorganized all three Delaware counties: Deale County become Sussex County, and St. Jones County became Kent County, in recognition of Penn's homelands in the county of [[Sussex]], England. He brought 200 people from Sussex, England as colonists.<ref name=lower341>{{Cite book|last=Lower|first=Mark Antony|title=Worthies of Sussex: Biographical sketches of the most eminent natives or inhabitants of the county|author-link=Mark Antony Lower|publisher=Sussex Advertiser|location=Lewes|page=341|year=1865}}</ref>  The town of New Deale was renamed Lewistown (today known as Lewes). At this time, Penn claimed that the Delaware territory extended as far south as [[Fenwick Island, Delaware|Fenwick Island]]. The 'Three Lower Counties' (Delaware) along [[Delaware Bay]] were considered under Penn's sphere of settlement and became the [[Delaware Colony]], a satellite of Pennsylvania.

But the boundary disputes continued between Pennsylvania and Maryland. [[Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore]] and [[William Penn]] both claimed the land between the 39th and 40th parallels, according to the charters granted to each colony. Whereas Penn claimed the Delaware territories extended to Fenwick Island, Calvert claimed the Maryland Colony ended at Lewes, with all the land south of the settlement belonging to [[Somerset County, Maryland|Somerset County]].<ref>[http://www.usgwarchives.org/de/sussex/ Sussex County, Delaware: USGenWeb Project]{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>

In 1732 Charles Calvert signed a territorial agreement with William Penn's sons that drew a line somewhere in between the two colonies and renounced Calvert's claim to Delaware. But Lord Baltimore later claimed that the document he signed did not contain the terms he had agreed to, and refused to put the agreement into effect. Beginning in the mid-1730s, violence erupted between settlers claiming various loyalties to Maryland and Pennsylvania. The border conflict between Pennsylvania and Maryland would be known as [[Cresap's War]].

In 1750–1751, a team of surveyors from both colonies surveyed and marked the [[Transpeninsular Line]], which established the southern boundary of Sussex County. However, residents of the disputed territory continued to pay taxes to Maryland into the 1770s.

The issue was unresolved until the Crown intervened in 1760, ordering [[Frederick Calvert, 6th Baron Baltimore]] to accept the 1732 agreement. As part of the settlement, the Penns and Calverts commissioned the English team of [[Charles Mason]] and [[Jeremiah Dixon]] to survey the newly established boundaries between the Province of Pennsylvania, the Province of Maryland, Delaware Colony and parts of Colony and Old Dominion of Virginia.

Between 1763 and 1767, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon surveyed the [[Mason-Dixon line]], settling Sussex County's western borders. After Pennsylvania abolished slavery in 1781, the western part of this line and the [[Ohio River]] became a border between free and slave states. Although Delaware remained a slave state, it already had a number of free blacks, and slaveholders manumitted more slaves in the first two decades after the Revolution.

The resolution of the boundary dispute enlarged Sussex County considerably, and the new territory was nicknamed New Sussex.

In 1769 a movement started to move the county seat from Lewes to the area then known as Cross Roads, the present day site of [[Milton, Delaware|Milton]]. The current county seat of [[Georgetown, Delaware|Georgetown]] was settled upon on January 27, 1791, after residents in western Sussex County successfully petitioned the Delaware General Assembly to move the county seat to a central location, as the limited roads at the time made it too difficult for outlying residents to reach the county seat in Lewes.<ref>[http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/about/history/general/index.cfm?action=countyseat Sussex County – History<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022125910/http://sussexcountyde.gov/about/history/general/index.cfm?action=countyseat |date=October 22, 2007 }}</ref>

Georgetown was not a previously established town. On May 9, 1791, the 10 commissioners headed by President of the State Senate [[George Mitchell (Delaware State Senator)|George Mitchell]] negotiated the purchase of {{convert|76|acre|m2}}, and Commissioner Rhodes Shankland began the survey by laying out "a spacious square of {{convert|100|yd}} each way." Eventually the town was laid out in a circle {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} across. It was centered on the original square surveyed by Shankland, which is now listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. Georgetown was named after Senate President George Mitchell.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.georgetownde.com/gorghist.html |title=At The Beach-Georgetown, Delaware History<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 13, 2008 |archive-date=March 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331022829/http://georgetownde.com/gorghist.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sussex County has been known by several names over the years, including Susan County, Hoorenkill or Whorekill County as named by the Dutch prior to 1680 when [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]] broke off. From 1680 to 1682 it was known as Deale County, after being taken over by the British under James Stuart, Duke of York prior to signing over to William Penn. It was called Durham County when claimed by the Lords Baltimore during the boundary dispute with the Penn family.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mydelawaregenealogy.com/de_county/su.htm |title=Sussex County, Delaware Genealogical Records Information<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 13, 2008 |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904051444/http://www.mydelawaregenealogy.com/de_county/su.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==Geography==
{{wide image|Cape Henlopen at the Point.jpg|1000px|[[Cape Henlopen]] seen from [[Cape Henlopen State Park]] in [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]]}}

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1196|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|936|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|260|sqmi}} (21.7%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the largest county in Delaware by area. The county's land area comprises 48.0 percent of the state's land area. It is the second-highest percentage of territory of a state of any county in the United States.

Sussex County, like Delaware's two other counties, is subdivided into [[Hundred (county subdivision)|Hundreds]]. There are several explanations given for how the Hundreds were determined: as an area containing 100 families, an area containing 100 people, or an area that could raise 100 soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hsd.org/DHE/DHE_where_hundreds.htm |title=Delaware History Online - Geography - Hundreds |access-date=July 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716180617/http://www.hsd.org/DHE/DHE_where_hundreds.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2012 }}</ref> Sussex County is apportioned into eleven [[List of hundreds of Delaware|Hundred]]s: [[Cedar Creek Hundred|Cedar Creek]], [[Broadkill Hundred|Broadkill]], [[Georgetown Hundred|Georgetown]], [[Nanticoke Hundred|Nanticoke]], [[Northwest Fork Hundred|Northwest Fork]], [[Broad Creek Hundred|Broad Creek]], [[Little Creek Hundred, Sussex County|Little Creek]], [[Dagsboro Hundred|Dagsboro]], [[Baltimore Hundred|Baltimore]], [[Indian River Hundred|Indian River]], and [[Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred|Lewes & Rehoboth]].

The eastern portion of the county is home to [[Delaware beaches|Delaware's beaches]] on the Atlantic Coast and many seaside resorts. The western side of the county is the center of Delaware's agriculture, industry with more acres of arable land under cultivation than anywhere else in the state.{{Citation needed|reason=date May 2007|date=May 2007}}

[[File:Bald Cypress.JPG|thumb|right|Cluster of [[bald cypress]] trees seen in [[Trap Pond State Park]]]]

Sussex County is home to an extensive system of Southern saltwater and freshwater wetlands, notably the [[Great Cypress Swamp]]. This massive freshwater swamp contains the northernmost strand of [[Bald Cypress]] trees in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.destateparks.com/park/trap-pond/index.asp|title=Trap Pond State Park, Laurel, Delaware|website=www.destateparks.com|access-date=June 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616175256/http://destateparks.com/park/trap-pond/index.asp|archive-date=June 16, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, [[Zigzag Swamp]] is located within Sussex County.<ref>{{gnis|214889}}</ref>

[[Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge]] is a {{convert|10000|acre|km2}} along the western shore of [[Delaware Bay]]. The refuge contains a variety of habitats, including [[freshwater marsh|freshwater]] and [[salt marsh]]es, [[woodland]]s, [[grassland]]s, [[pond]]s, and [[forest]]ed areas, supporting 267 species of birds and a variety of [[reptile]]s, [[amphibian]]s and [[mammal]]s.<ref name="fws">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/primehook/ "Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Welcome."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714173043/https://www.fws.gov/northeast/primehook/ |date=July 14, 2016 }} January 3, 2011.</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]] – north
*[[Cape May County, New Jersey]] – northeast
*[[Worcester County, Maryland]] – south
*[[Dorchester County, Maryland]] – southwest
*[[Wicomico County, Maryland]] – southwest
*[[Caroline County, Maryland]] – northwest

===Major highways===
[[File:2022-07-14 15 38 10 View north along Delaware State Route 1 (Coastal Highway) from the overpass for northbound Delaware State Route 1 Business (Rehoboth Boulevard) in Milford, Sussex County, Delaware.jpg|thumb|right|DE 1 in Milford, northern Sussex County]]
*{{jct|state=DE|US|9}}
*{{jct|state=DE|US|13}}
*{{jct|state=DE|US|113}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|1}} 
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|5}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|16}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|17}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|18}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|20}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|23}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|24}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|26}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|30}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|36}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|54}}
*{{jct|state=DE|DE|404}}

===National protected area===
* [[Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge]]

===Climate===
Sussex County has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]]. The [[Trewartha climate classification]] only has the area along the Atlantic Coast up to [[Cape Henlopen]] and Lewes as ''Cf'' and the remainder of the county as ''Do'' ([[oceanic climate|oceanic]].) Three months average above 22&nbsp;°C (71.6&nbsp;°F), all months average above freezing, and seven to eight months average above {{cvt|10|°C}}. The [[hardiness zone]] is 7b except near the coast where it is 8a. [https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/]

{{Weather box
|location = Milford, Delaware
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 43
|Feb high F = 45
|Mar high F = 54
|Apr high F = 64
|May high F = 73
|Jun high F = 82
|Jul high F = 87
|Aug high F = 85
|Sep high F = 78
|Oct high F = 68
|Nov high F = 58
|Dec high F = 48
|year high F= 
|Jan low F = 24
|Feb low F = 25
|Mar low F = 33
|Apr low F = 42
|May low F = 52
|Jun low F = 62
|Jul low F = 67
|Aug low F = 65
|Sep low F = 57
|Oct low F = 46
|Nov low F = 36
|Dec low F = 29
|year low F= 
|Jan record high F = 79
|Feb record high F = 78
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 106
|Aug record high F = 103
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 95
|Nov record high F = 86
|Dec record high F = 76
|year record high F= 106
|Jan record low F = −11
|Feb record low F = −11
|Mar record low F =  4
|Apr record low F =  16
|May record low F =  28
|Jun record low F =  36
|Jul record low F =  39
|Aug record low F =  43
|Sep record low F =  34
|Oct record low F =  19
|Nov record low F =  9
|Dec record low F = −2
|year record low F= −11
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.08
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.30
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.51
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.50
|May precipitation inch = 4.03
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.31
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.69
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.61
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.08
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.48
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.32
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.59
|year precipitation inch = 45.50
|Jan snow inch = 3.9
|Feb snow inch = 5.4
|Mar snow inch = 0.9
|Apr snow inch = 0.1
|May snow inch =  0
|Jun snow inch =  0
|Jul snow inch =  0
|Aug snow inch =  0
|Sep snow inch =  0
|Oct snow inch =  0
|Nov snow inch = 0.2
|Dec snow inch = 1.5
|year snow inch=
|source=<ref>{{cite web| url = https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/Milford+DE?canonicalCityId=a6edf520a405cd6ed344f29f698f6245ed8759fee9d13d58531196f659779d9e
 | title = Milford, DE Monthly Weather Averages | access-date = August 18, 2020 }}</ref>
|date=August 18, 2020
}}

{{Weather box 
|width = auto
|location = Bethany Beach, Delaware
|single line = yes
|Jan record high F = 78
|Feb record high F = 86
|Mar record high F = 89
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 101
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 77
|year record high F= 102
|Jan high F = 45
|Feb high F = 48
|Mar high F = 55
|Apr high F = 65
|May high F = 74
|Jun high F = 83
|Jul high F = 87
|Aug high F = 85
|Sep high F = 79
|Oct high F = 69
|Nov high F = 59
|Dec high F = 49
|year high F=
|Jan low F = 30
|Feb low F = 31
|Mar low F = 37
|Apr low F = 46
|May low F = 55
|Jun low F = 65
|Jul low F = 70
|Aug low F = 69
|Sep low F = 63
|Oct low F = 52
|Nov low F = 43
|Dec low F = 34
|year low F=
|Jan record low F = −11
|Feb record low F = 0
|Mar record low F = 9
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 32
|Jun record low F = 40
|Jul record low F = 47
|Aug record low F = 47
|Sep record low F = 37
|Oct record low F = 26
|Nov record low F = 16
|Dec record low F = 0
|year record low F= −11
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.62
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.23
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.40
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.59
|May precipitation inch = 3.72
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.39
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.78
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.73
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.04
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.94
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.66
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.85
|year precipitation inch= 
|Jan snow inch = 5.5
|Feb snow inch =  6.2
|Mar snow inch =  2.1
|Apr snow inch =   0.2
|May snow inch =   0
|Jun snow inch =   0
|Jul snow inch =   0
|Aug snow inch =   0
|Sep snow inch =   0
|Oct snow inch =   0
|Nov snow inch =  0.6
|Dec snow inch = 2.2
|year snow inch=
|source 1=The Weather Channel<ref name = "The Weather Channel">{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/USDE0002:1:US|title=Climate Statistics for Bethany Beach, Delaware|access-date=March 8, 2018}}
</ref>
|source 2= MyForecast<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myforecast.co/bin/climate.m?city=12776&zip_code=19930&metric=false|title=Bethany Beach, DE climate|access-date=August 17, 2020}}
</ref>}}

==Government==
Unlike Northern Delaware, particularly [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County]], Sussex County is highly conservative. Sussex County has only supported a Democrat for president three times since 1944.

This was the only county in Delaware that [[Barack Obama]] did not carry in either of his presidential bids, despite the presence of Delawarean [[Joe Biden]] on the ballot. Biden himself lost the county by 11 points in his own successful bid for president in [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]. Nonetheless, while Sussex County rejected the Obama-Biden presidential ticket in [[2008 United States presidential election in Delaware|2008]], Biden carried it in his simultaneous [[2008 United States Senate election in Delaware|2008 Senate]] run (as he did in six of his seven successful Senate campaigns), meaning some voters in the county rejected Biden as a vice presidential candidate while simultaneously supporting him for Senate.

{{PresHead|place=Sussex County, Delaware|source1=<ref>{{cite web |title = Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections |access-date = November 10, 2024 |url = http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |archive-date = September 19, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190919054213/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |url-status = live }}</ref>}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|81,025|64,836|1,903|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|71,230|56,682|1,440|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|62,611|39,333|4,162|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|52,119|39,975|1,135|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|47,939|40,299|832|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|47,003|30,098|651|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|34,620|29,739|1,928|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|22,187|23,191|6,634|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|20,440|19,174|12,951|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|27,129|16,504|142|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|28,337|13,629|126|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|19,472|15,973|1,934|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|17,153|18,552|363|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|21,964|11,630|410|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|15,618|11,671|5,777|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|14,305|17,971|97|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|16,392|15,472|229|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|16,621|13,697|112|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|17,257|15,054|210|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|13,636|11,522|124|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|11,895|10,678|73|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|11,853|13,206|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|11,996|12,799|37|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|10,632|12,618|52|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|12,884|7,163|54|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|10,120|8,668|225|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|9,747|8,448|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|6,032|5,649|64|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|4,466|5,551|1,357|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|5,870|5,013|140|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|5,915|4,407|151|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|4,961|4,364|133|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|4,541|3,826|221|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|4,147|4,279|100|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|4,046|3,982|111|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|3,018|4,447|10|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1880|Democratic|3,373|3,993|83|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1876|Democratic|2,763|3,490|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1872|Republican|2,849|2,778|269|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1868|Democratic|1,883|3,136|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1864|Democratic|2,229|2,552|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1860|Southern Democratic|664|204|3,829|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1856|Democratic|1|2,344|2,020|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1852|Whig|1,934|1,858|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1848|Democratic|1,852|1,856|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1844|Democratic|1,869|1,877|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1840|Whig|2,053|1,593|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1836|Whig|1,857|1,300|0|Delaware}}
{{PresRow|1832|Whig|1,774|1,383|0|Delaware}}
|}

Sussex County's government is composed of an elected [[county council]] and various elective executive heads of departments. The [[county council]] has five members, who serve four-year terms; all are elected from [[single-member districts]]. They form the legislative authority of the county, and choose a "County Administrator" or executive.

The county council members are Council President Michael H. Vincent (R, District 1), Cynthia Green (R, District 2), Mark Schaeffer (R, District 3), Douglas B. Hudson (R, District 4), and Vice President John L. Rieley (R, District 5).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sussex County Council |url=https://sussexcountyde.gov/county-council |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=sussexcountyde.gov}}</ref>

The additional offices of [[Clerk of the Peace]], [[Register of Deeds]], Register of Wills and [[Sheriff]] are elected [[at-large]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sussex County Council|url=http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/about/structure/index.cfm|title=Sussex County – Government Structure|access-date=December 16, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061026101705/http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/about/structure/index.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 26, 2006}}</ref>  These positions are held by Norman A. Jones Jr. (R), Alexandra Reed Baker (R), Gregory Fuller (R), and Robert Lee (R), respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sussex County Government |url=https://sussexcountyde.gov/your-government |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=sussexcountyde.gov}}</ref>

Sussex County is split between five state senate districts and nine state house districts.

[[Delaware Senate|State Senate]]:

*District 6  – [[Russ Huxtable]] (D)
*District 18 – [[David L. Wilson]] (R)
*District 19 – [[Brian G. Pettyjohn]] (R)
*District 20 – [[Gerald Hocker]] (R)
*District 21 – [[Bryant Richardson]] (R)

[[Delaware House of Representatives|State House of Representatives]]:

*District 14 – [[Pete Schwartzkopf]] (D)
*District 20 – [[Esthelda Parker Selby|Stell Parker Selby]] (D) 
*District 35 – [[Jesse Vanderwende]] (R)
*District 36 – [[Bryan Shupe]] (R)
*District 37 – [[Ruth Briggs King]] (R)
*District 38 – [[Ronald E. Gray]] (R)
*District 39 – [[Daniel Short]] (R)
*District 40 – [[Timothy Dukes]] (R)
*District 41 – [[Richard Collins (politician)|Richard Collins]] (R)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 20488
|1800= 19358
|1810= 27750
|1820= 24057
|1830= 27115
|1840= 25093
|1850= 25936
|1860= 29615
|1870= 31696
|1880= 36018
|1890= 38647
|1900= 42276
|1910= 46413
|1920= 43741
|1930= 45507
|1940= 52502
|1950= 61336
|1960= 73195
|1970= 80356
|1980= 98004
|1990= 113229
|2000= 156638
|2010= 197145
|estyear=2024
|estimate=271134
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=live}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/de190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=February 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218024935/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/de190090.txt|url-status=live}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203824/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
|2020=237378}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 156,638 people, 62,577 households, and 43,866 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|167|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 93,070 housing units at an average density of {{convert|99|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 80.35% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 14.89% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.60% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.75% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.02% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.35% from two or more races. 4.41% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 14.9% were of English, 14.3% United States or American (Mostly British), 12.9% Irish, 12.5% German and 5.6% Italian ancestry, 93.3% spoke English and 4.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 62,577 households, out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.50% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,208, and the median income for a family was $45,203. Males had a median income of $30,811 versus $23,625 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,328. About 7.70% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.

Eastern parts of Sussex County, particularly the [[Cape Region (Delaware)|Cape Region]], tend to be more [[affluent]] than western portions of the county, with a median household income of $77,030 in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |title=U.S. Census Bureau Home Page |access-date=May 8, 2017 |archive-date=December 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 197,145 people, 79,368 households, and 53,698 families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US10005
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030659/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US10005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|210.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 123,036 housing units at an average density of {{convert|131.4|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US10005
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191633/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US10005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 79.0% white, 12.7% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.8% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 4.1% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.6% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 17.9% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 17.8% were [[Germans|German]], 15.9% were [[English people|English]], 7.0% were [[Italians|Italian]], and 6.2% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US10005
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015019/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US10005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 79,368 households, 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.3% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 45.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $51,046 and the median income for a family was $59,053. Males had a median income of $41,978 versus $32,148 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,779. About 8.0% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US10005
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 12, 2016
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022802/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US10005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

=== 2020-2021 census and census estimates ===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county had a population of 237,378. According to the 2021 [[American Community Survey]], the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 75.4% non-Hispanic white, 11.8% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.3% multiracial, and 9.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="QF" />

==Economy==
[[File:Corn in Lewes.JPG|thumb|right|Cornfields seen near [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]]]]

Most of Sussex County's economy revolves around agriculture. In fact, Sussex County produces the most [[poultry]] of any county in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Micah |title=Delaware: A Small Example of a Larger Trend |url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/delaware-a-small-example-of-a-larger-trend/ |work=[[FiveThirtyEight]] |date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905163506/http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/delaware-a-small-example-of-a-larger-trend/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Community Data |url=http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/about/docs/Community_Data.pdf |publisher=Sussex County |date=September 2012 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617015358/http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/about/docs/Community_Data.pdf |archive-date=June 17, 2012 }}</ref>

Tourism also plays a large part of the economy, particularly in eastern Sussex County. According to SeaGrant Delaware, the [[Delaware Beaches]] generate $6.9 billion annually and over $711 million in tax revenue.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Contribution of The Coastal Economy To The State of Delaware|publisher=SeaGrant Delaware|url=https://www.deseagrant.org/research/contribution-coastal-economy-state-delaware|access-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402082704/https://www.deseagrant.org/research/contribution-coastal-economy-state-delaware|archive-date=April 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The average home and property price in Sussex County increased 250% in the ten years between 1995 and 2005. Local increases within Sussex County for this period include a 381% increase for [[Millsboro, Delaware|Millsboro]] and a 609% increase for [[Millville, Delaware|Millville]].<ref>{{cite news|author = Mike Chalmers|url = http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060522/NEWS/605220345/1006|title = Looking to live in Sussex? Good luck|newspaper = [[The News Journal]]|pages = A1, A6|date = May 22, 2006|archive-date = September 30, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160206/http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060522%2FNEWS%2F605220345%2F1006|url-status = live}}</ref> Sussex County is served by the [[Delmarva Central Railroad]] and the [[Maryland and Delaware Railroad]].<ref name=dcr>{{cite web|title=Delmarva Central Railroad|date=November 8, 2016|publisher=Carload Express|url=http://carloadexpress.com/railroads/delmarva-central-railroad/|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=May 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524215403/http://carloadexpress.com/railroads/delmarva-central-railroad/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==

===Public===
{{see also|List of school districts in Delaware}}
Sussex County is served by eight public school districts.<ref name="DelDistricts">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.doe.k12.de.us/EduDir/DistAnchor.asp
 |title        = Delaware Public School Districts for K-12 Education
 |access-date  = March 11, 2008
|work         = Delaware Educational Directory
 |publisher    = Delaware Department of Education
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071111225505/http://www.doe.k12.de.us/EduDir/DistAnchor.asp
 |archive-date = November 11, 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10005_sussex/DC20SD_C10005.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10005_sussex/DC20SD_C10005.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sussex County, DE|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 20, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st10_de/schooldistrict_maps/c10005_sussex/DC20SD_C10005_SD2MS.txt Text list] - This list only includes the seven geographical school districts and does not include the county-wide overlay school district.</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Cape Henlopen School District]]
* [[Delmar School District]]
* [[Indian River School District (Delaware)|Indian River School District]]
* [[Laurel School District (Delaware)|Laurel School District]]
* [[Milford School District]] (also serves Kent County)
* [[Seaford School District]]
* [[Woodbridge School District]] (also serves Kent County)
* [[Sussex Technical School District]] (County-wide overlay school district)
{{div col end}}

The county also contains one charter school, the Sussex Academy of Arts & Sciences.<ref>{{cite web | last = Department of Education | title = List of Delaware Charter Schools | publisher = State of Delaware | date = 2010–2011 <!--school year--> | url = http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/charterschools/listofDECS/list.shtml | access-date = September 14, 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100917230929/http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/charterschools/listofDECS/list.shtml | archive-date = September 17, 2010 }}</ref>

Those state funded public high schools which participate in sporting events are members of the [[Henlopen Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/counties/delaware/sussex.html|title=Sussex County, Delaware: History and Information|website=www.ereferencedesk.com|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005823/http://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/counties/delaware/sussex.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the period of de jure [[educational segregation in the United States]], K-12 students of black African descent attended [[History of African-American education|segregated schools]]. [[William C. Jason Comprehensive High School District 192]] in Georgetown housed high school students of black African descent during the period 1951 to 1967. Desegregation occurred after 1967.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mowery|first=Roger|url=https://archivesfiles.delaware.gov/ebooks/Delaware_School_Districts_1974.pdf|title=Delaware School District Organization and Boundaries|publisher=[[Delaware State Department of Instruction]]|place=[[Dover, Delaware]]|year=1974|page=6 (PDF p. 12/97)|access-date=2025-03-30}}</ref>

In the past, a school called Warwick School 225 educated [[Nanticoke people]].<ref name=DiehlPT35>{{cite book|last=Diehl|first=James|title=Remembering Sussex County: From Zwaanendael to King Chicken|publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]]|date=April 2009|isbn=9781625842497<!--Old: 162584249X-->|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Z8R2CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT35 PT35]|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

===Private===
In 2010, 14.8% of the county students enrolled in K-12 schools were in private institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delawarepublic.org/2010-12-16/private-schools-increasing-financial-aid-to-retain-students|title=Private schools increasing financial aid to retain students |publisher=[[Delaware Public Media]]|date=2010-12-16|access-date=2025-03-30|quote=In Delaware, with the nation’s highest percentage of private school enrollment,[...]}}</ref>

There are several private schools in Sussex County: [[Bible Center Christian Academy]] (Laurel), [[Children Craft CO]] (Seaford), [[Delmarva Christian High School]] (Georgetown, [[Destiny Christian School (Georgetown)|Destiny Christian School]] (Georgetown), [[Eagle's Nest Christian School]] (Milton), [[Epworth Christian School]] (Laurel), [[Greenwood Mennonite School]] (Greenwood), [[Harbor Christian Academy]] (Ellendale), The Jefferson School (Georgetown), [[Jesus Is Lord Christian Academy]] (Georgetown), [[Lighthouse Christian School Dagsboro|Lighthouse Christian School]] (Dagsboro), [[Lighted Pathway Christian Academy]] (Seaford), [[Milford Christian School]] (Milford) and [[Seaford Christian Academy]] (Seaford).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://delaware.educationbug.org/private-schools/county-sussex.html |title=Sussex County, Delaware Private Schools |access-date=December 19, 2007 |archive-date=September 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903095551/http://delaware.educationbug.org/private-schools/county-sussex.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Higher education===
There are several colleges and universities in Sussex County. [[Delaware Technical Community College]] has the largest presence in the county, but students can also attend [[Delaware State University]], [[Goldey-Beacom College]], [[University of Delaware]] all in Georgetown, the Philadelphia Bible College in Ellendale, and the Beebe Hospital School of Nursing in Lewes. The University of Delaware also maintains a marine science campus in Lewes.

==Culture==
The culture in Sussex County is much like that found in other [[Delmarva Peninsula|Delmarva]] counties. Sussex County is starkly different from the rest of the [[Mid-Atlantic States|Mid-Atlantic]] and is much like that of the [[Southern United States]].
Sussex County is driven by agriculture and commercial fishing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090101/OPINION03/901010401/Let-diversification-Delmarva-s-economy-begin|work=DelmarvaNow.com|title=Let the diversification of Delmarva's economy begin|date=January 1, 2009|first=Pattrice|last=Jones|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213438/http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090101/OPINION03/901010401/Let-diversification-Delmarva-s-economy-begin|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}
</ref> Most of the land is rural and there are but a few large population centers. Many local restaurants serve [[Cuisine of the Southern United States|southern cuisine]] such as [[sweet tea]] and dishes including or composed entirely of [[Leaf vegetable#United States|greens]] in addition to menus heavy with fried food.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

Many dialectic studies show that Sussex County residents, much like surrounding [[Delmarva Peninsula|Delmarva]] counties, have a variation of [[Southern American English]] which is particularly prevalent in rural areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evolpub.com/Americandialects/MidAtldialects.html|title=The Mid-Atlantic Dialects|work=Evolution Publishing|access-date=June 3, 2013|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723033309/http://www.evolpub.com/Americandialects/MidAtldialects.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Festivals, fairs, and events===
Sussex County, Delaware is home to several festivals, fairs, and events. Some of the more notable festivals are the Bethany Beach [[Jazz Funeral]] to mark the end of summer, [[Apple Scrapple Festival]] in Bridgeville, the [[Georgetown, Delaware#Return Day|Return Day Parade]] held after elections in even-numbered years in Georgetown, the Laurel Independence Day Celebration, the [[Nanticoke Indian Pow Wow]] in Oak Orchard, the [[Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival]], the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the [http://www.rehobothjazz.com Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival], the [[Sea Witch Halloween Festival]] and Parade in Rehoboth Beach, the Dagsboro Christmas Parade and [[Seaford Riverfest]]. Also, Sussex County is the home of the Senior League Softball World Series in Roxana at the Lower Sussex Little League Field. The World Championship [[Punkin Chunkin]] was held in Sussex County.

==Media==

===Newspapers===
* [[Cape Gazette]]
* Coastal Point, Ocean View
* Delaware Coast Press, Rehoboth Beach
* [[The Delaware Wave|Delaware Wave, Bethany Beach]]
* Hoy en Delaware, Georgetown
* Laurel Star, Laurel
* Leader & State Register, Seaford
* Seaford Star, Seaford
* Sussex Countian
* Sussex Post, Georgetown
* The Script, Georgetown (published at various times throughout the school year, stories by DelTech students majoring in communications)

===Radio===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Call sign !! Frequency !! City of license<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html FM Query – FM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825071957/http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html |date=August 25, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html AM Query – AM Radio Technical Information – Audio Division (FCC) USA<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825063614/http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/amq.html |date=August 25, 2009 }}</ref>!! Owner<ref name="Inside Radio/M Street">{{Cite web |url=http://www.100000watts.com/ |title=Inside Radio/M Street<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212084741/http://www.100000watts.com/ |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>!! Format<ref name="Inside Radio/M Street"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/station_information.htm |title=Station Information Profile<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 7, 2008 |archive-date=March 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060319201903/http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/station_information.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[WUSX]] || <span style="display:none">00</span>98.5 FM || Seaford || [[Adams Radio Group]] || Country
|-
|[[WGMD]] || <span style="display:none">00</span>92.7 FM || Rehoboth Beach || Resort Broadcasting Co., LLC || News Talk Information
|-
|[[WJKI-FM]] || <span style="display:none">0</span>103.5 FM || Bethany Beach || The Voice Radio, LLC || Classic Rock
|-
|[[WJWL]] || <span style="display:none">0</span>900 AM || Georgetown || Great Scott Broadcasting || Spanish Variety
|-
|[[WKDB]] || <span style="display:none">00</span>95.3 FM || Laurel || Great Scott Broadcasting || Contemporary Hit Radio
|-
|[[WOCM]] || <span style="display:none">00</span>98.1 FM || Selbyville ||Irie Radio, Inc.  || Album Adult Alternative
|-
|[[WRBG-LP]] || <span style="display:none">0</span>106.5 FM || Millsboro || Rhythm and Blues Group Harmonty Association, Inc. || 
|-
|[[WSUX (AM)|WSUX]] || 1280 AM || Seaford || Great Scott Broadcasting || Spanish Variety
|-
|[[WZBH]] || <span style="display:none">00</span>93.5 FM || Georgetown || [[Adams Radio Group]] || Active Rock
|-
|[[WZEB]] || <span style="display:none">0</span>101.7 FM || Ocean View || Great Scott Broadcasting || Contemporary Hit Radio
|-
|[[WXDE]] || <span style="display:none">0</span>105.9 FM || Lewes || Delmarva Broadcasting Company || News Talk
|}

===Television===
* Sussex County is officially classified as being part of the Salisbury television market. However, due to the association with the Philadelphia and Baltimore metropolitan areas, their channels are usually available on cable and sometimes provide news coverage.
* [[WBOC-TV|WBOC]], Salisbury, [[CBS]] & [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
* WDPB, Seaford, [[PBS]]
* [[WMDT]], Salisbury, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] & [[The CW]]
* [[WRDE-LD]], Salisbury, [[NBC]] and [[MyNetworkTV|MyTV]]
* [[WBAL-TV|WBAL]], Baltimore, NBC
* [[WJZ-TV|WJZ]], Baltimore, CBS
* [[WCAU]], Philadelphia, NBC
* [[WTXF-TV|WTXF]], Philadelphia, Fox

==Communities==
[[File:Harbor of Refuge.JPG|thumb|right|Lighthouse off the coast of [[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]]]]
[[File:Rehoboth Beach boardwalk looking north toward Rehoboth Avenue.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware|Rehoboth Beach]]]]
[[Image:High Street, Seaford, Delaware (2006).jpg|thumb|right|[[Seaford, Delaware|Seaford]]]]
[[Image:Selbyville Library.jpg|thumb|right|[[Selbyville, Delaware|Selbyville Public Library]]]]

===Cities===
*[[Lewes, Delaware|Lewes]]
*[[Milford, Delaware|Milford]] (partly in [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]])
*[[Rehoboth Beach, Delaware|Rehoboth Beach]]
*[[Seaford, Delaware|Seaford]]

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Bethany Beach, Delaware|Bethany Beach]]
*[[Bethel, Delaware|Bethel]]
*[[Blades, Delaware|Blades]]
*[[Bridgeville, Delaware|Bridgeville]]
*[[Dagsboro, Delaware|Dagsboro]]
*[[Delmar, Delaware|Delmar]]
*[[Dewey Beach, Delaware|Dewey Beach]]
*[[Ellendale, Delaware|Ellendale]]
*[[Fenwick Island, Delaware|Fenwick Island]]
*[[Frankford, Delaware|Frankford]]
*[[Georgetown, Delaware|Georgetown]]
*[[Greenwood, Delaware|Greenwood]]
*[[Henlopen Acres, Delaware|Henlopen Acres]]
*[[Laurel, Delaware|Laurel]]
*[[Millsboro, Delaware|Millsboro]]
*[[Millville, Delaware|Millville]]
*[[Milton, Delaware|Milton]]
*[[Ocean View, Delaware|Ocean View]]
*[[Selbyville, Delaware|Selbyville]]
*[[Slaughter Beach, Delaware|Slaughter Beach]]
*[[South Bethany, Delaware|South Bethany]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Gumboro, Delaware|Gumboro]]
*[[Harbeson, Delaware|Harbeson]]
*[[Lincoln, Delaware|Lincoln]] (a [[census-designated place]])
*[[Long Neck, Delaware|Long Neck]] (a [[census-designated place]])
*[[Oak Orchard, Delaware|Oak Orchard]]
*[[Reliance, Delaware and Maryland|Reliance]] (partial)
*[[Roxana, Delaware|Roxana]]
*[[Stockley, Delaware|Stockley]]

=== Ghost Towns ===

* [[Banning, Delaware|Banning]]
* [[New Market, Delaware|New Market]]
* [[Owens Station, Delaware|Owens station]]
* [[Saint Johnstown, Delaware|Saint Johnstown]]

== See also ==
{{portal|Delaware}}
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Sussex County, Delaware]]
*[[Slaughter Creek (Cedar Creek tributary)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/ Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929105322/http://sellsussex.com/ Official Auction of Sussex County]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Sussex County, Delaware
|North     = [[Kent County, Delaware|Kent County]]
|Northeast = [[Cape May County, New Jersey]]
|East      = Atlantic Ocean
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Worcester County, Maryland]]
|Southwest = [[Wicomico County, Maryland]] and [[Dorchester County, Maryland]]
|West      = 
|Northwest = [[Caroline County, Maryland]]
}} 
{{Sussex County, Delaware}}
{{Delaware}}
{{Salisbury metropolitan area}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|38.68|-75.34|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-DE_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Sussex County, Delaware| ]]
[[Category:1683 establishments in Delaware]]
[[Category:Delaware counties]]
[[Category:Salisbury metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1683]]