Sussex County, Delaware
Dewey Beach, Delaware
Dewey Beach is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 353 residents. Sussex County lists Dewey Beach among its 25 municipalities, and the town's official website is linked below. SussexCounty.ai is an independent site and is not the county government.
Key facts
- Type
- Incorporated municipality
- County
- Sussex County, Delaware
- 2020 population
- 353 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://www.townofdeweybeach.com/
- Current officials
- See the town website
Ask SussexCounty.ai
Look up Sussex County building permits by PIN on the permits page. Official records are kept by Sussex County at sussexcountyde.gov.
Go deeper on Dewey Beach
- Land use and zoning (9 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (12 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (18 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (20 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 859 tax parcels in Dewey Beach, covering 163.4 mapped acres (median parcel 0.114 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Dewey Beach, see Dewey Beach on The Sussex Ledger. The Sussex Ledger is a publication of The Conscient Group LLC, which also publishes SussexCounty.ai.
Terms used in Sussex County property records
Tax map parcel number, zoning district, building permit, FEMA flood zone and realty transfer tax. See the full Sussex County glossary, official sources and weather and hazard sources.
Questions about Dewey Beach
The basics
Is Dewey Beach a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Dewey Beach is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Dewey Beach town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Dewey Beach, Delaware in?
Dewey Beach is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Dewey Beach in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 353 residents in Dewey Beach (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Dewey Beach?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 859 tax parcels in Dewey Beach (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Dewey Beach?
Sussex County issues building permits countywide, including inside municipalities, per the county building permits page. Check with the town as well for any town requirements.
Government, zoning and services
Where is Dewey Beach Town Hall?
Town Hall is at 105 Rodney Ave., Dewey Beach, DE 19971, phone 1-302-227-6363, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
When do Dewey Beach Town Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission meet?
The town site posts separate calendars for Town Council, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment under townofdeweybeach.gov/meetings, but states no standing schedule on the pages available. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
Who handles planning and zoning in Dewey Beach?
The town has its own Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment, and the town site takes variance, conditional use and building permit applications. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov, townofdeweybeach.gov.
What taxes does Dewey Beach list on its site?
The town site lists payment options for a beach tax, accommodations tax and hotel lodging tax. It does not state a property or transfer tax rate. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
What public safety news did Dewey Beach have in October 2026?
Cape Gazette reported in late October 2026 that Dewey Beach Patrol recorded its highest number of major emergency responses in roughly a decade this summer. (Reported 2026-10-22.) Source: capegazette.com.
History and lore
When was Dewey Beach incorporated?
Dewey Beach was incorporated in 1981 as the Commissioners of Dewey Beach. It has been incorporated only once. Source: archives.delaware.gov, charters.delaware.gov.
How did Dewey Beach get its name?
It is rumored that the name honors Admiral George Dewey, a hero of the Spanish-American War, though the Delaware Public Archives notes that claim is widely disputed. A community called Rehoboth City appeared on an 1868 map at the site. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What is the history of the life-saving station in Dewey Beach?
The town's comprehensive plan says U.S. Life-Saving Station 141 was built on what is now Dagsworthy Street in 1879, and the Life-Saving Service became the Coast Guard in 1915. The station was moved to Highway 1 in 1947, and a replica was completed in 1987. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
What is Dewey Beach known for?
Dewey Beach is a lively coastal town between Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic. It is known for water sports, including skimboarding, along with nightlife and small-town charm. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
What annual events are part of Dewey Beach lore?
Dewey Beach events include Greyhounds Reach the Beach, a pet-friendly fall event, and the Dewey Goes Pink run, which supports breast cancer awareness. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Events, holidays and occasions
Does Dewey Beach have Fourth of July fireworks?
Yes. The fireworks launch from a barge on the bay near McKinley Street and are visible across town. Start times were listed at 9 p.m. in the town's 2025 newsletter and about 9:30 p.m. in other 2025 and 2026 listings, so confirm the current year's time. Parking is limited. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov, wdel.com.
What is the Running of the Bull in Dewey Beach?
It is an annual June event at The Starboard in Dewey Beach, with the run officially starting at 2 p.m., according to Southern Delaware Tourism. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
What annual events happen in Dewey Beach?
Southern Delaware Tourism lists Running of the Bull (June), the Zap Amateur World Skimboarding Championships and Summer Vibes Fest (August), and Greyhounds Reach the Beach (October). Its festival list also shows a Bacon Fest in spring and an Arts Fest in May. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com, visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Who runs the Greyhounds Reach the Beach weekend?
Southern Delaware Tourism lists it as an October event in Dewey Beach, where greyhounds and their owners gather. The page does not name the organizer, so check the event listing. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Is there a Dewey Beach Fourth of July parade?
No parade appears in the town's 2025 newsletter or in recent regional fireworks listings. Dewey Beach is known for the bayside fireworks show. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov, bestofbethany.com.
Weather, geography and hazards
What is the climate like in Dewey Beach, Delaware?
Using NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals from the Lewes station, the nearest of the stations we use, the average January low is 30.2 degrees F and the average July high is 87.7 degrees F. Annual precipitation averages 47.28 inches. The station is not inside Dewey Beach, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Dewey Beach get per year?
The 1991 to 2020 normal for the Lewes station, the nearest station we use, is 10.5 inches of snow a year. Individual winters vary a lot around that average. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
Is Dewey Beach in a flood zone?
Part of Dewey Beach may sit in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and the answer depends on the address, so we do not give a town-wide yes or no. The USGS elevation at the town's Census center point is only about 7 feet, which is low ground. Look up a specific property in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the DNREC Delaware Flood Planning Tool. Source: msc.fema.gov, floodplanning.dnrec.delaware.gov, epqs.nationalmap.gov.
Is Dewey Beach in a hurricane evacuation zone?
Delaware labels hurricane evacuation zones A, B, C and D, and describes them as low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. The state page does not list communities by zone, so we cannot say which zone Dewey Beach or a given address falls in. Use the Know Your Zone lookup tool or interactive map to check an address. Source: preparede.org, dema.delaware.gov.
What body of water is Dewey Beach on?
Dewey Beach borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Rehoboth Bay on the west, according to the town's comprehensive plan. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves Dewey Beach?
Dewey Beach is in the Cape Henlopen School District. The district has one high school, Cape Henlopen High School, and Rehoboth Elementary School is one of its elementary schools. Source: explore.education.delaware.gov, capehenlopenschools.com.
What ZIP code covers Dewey Beach?
Dewey Beach uses ZIP code 19971. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
What major roads serve Dewey Beach?
DE 1 (Coastal Highway) is the town's main commercial corridor and its main north-south road. King Charles Avenue (SR 1A) also runs through the town. Source: townofdeweybeach.gov.
Is there public transit in Dewey Beach?
In summer, DART First State Route 208 serves Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island on its run between the Lewes Transit Center and Ocean City, Maryland. The town's comprehensive plan also notes the Jolly Trolley, a seasonal private service. Source: dartfirststate.com, dartfirststate.com, townofdeweybeach.gov.
What parks or outdoor areas are in or near Dewey Beach?
Cape Henlopen State Park, with ocean and bay beaches and Fort Miles, is north of Rehoboth Beach, and Delaware Seashore State Park is to the south on Inlet Road. Source: destateparks.com, destateparks.com.