Sussex County

Province ·🇺🇸 United States

Population 237,378

Area 2,534 km²

Time zone America/New_York

Official website www.sussexcountyde.gov

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Explore Sussex County

Sussex County Essentials

Sussex County encompasses Delaware's Atlantic coastline, defined by the historic maritime town of Lewes and the iconic boardwalk of Rehoboth Beach. The region’s heritage is preserved through the Zwaanendael Museum, the Overfalls lightship, and several 19th-century lighthouses guarding the Delaware Bay. Natural landscapes include the barrier islands of Delaware Seashore State Park and the inland waters of Indian River Bay. The area is also the home of Dogfish Head, featuring both its original brewpub and large-scale production brewery.

11 places

Historic Churches & Chapels

Delaware’s religious heritage is showcased through this collection of historic houses of worship across Sussex and Kent counties. The list features significant colonial-era sites like the 1755 Prince George's Chapel, known for its rare heart-pine interior, and the Lewes Presbyterian Church, founded in 1682. These locations illustrate the evolution of Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian traditions in the region, featuring a mix of 18th-century chapels and 19th-century brick architecture.

10 places

Museums & Heritage

Coastal Delaware’s history is defined by its maritime heritage and early European settlements. This collection spans from the 1631 Dutch colony at the Zwaanendael Museum to the World War II coastal defenses of Fort Miles. Highlights include the United States lightship Overfalls, historic lighthouses guarding the Delaware Bay, and museums dedicated to the Nanticoke Indian tribe and the region’s life-saving service. Specialized exhibits also explore local telecommunications and the Victorian-era origins of the coastal resorts.

10 places

Parks & Nature

Sussex County's coastline and inland waterways offer a mix of Atlantic barrier islands, tidal marshes, and rare freshwater ecosystems. This collection features the northernmost baldcypress stands in North America at Trap Pond and the historic 1876 Indian River Life-Saving Station at Delaware Seashore. Visitors can explore WWII-era observation towers at Herring Point, observe raptor migrations from the Hawk Watch platform, or navigate the saltwater lagoons of Gordon's Pond. These sites protect critical habitats for shorebirds and provide access to the diverse wetlands of the Assawoman Wildlife Area.

11 places