Sussex County, Delaware
Fenwick Island, Delaware
Fenwick Island is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 343 residents. Sussex County lists Fenwick Island 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
- 343 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://fenwickisland.delaware.gov/
- 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 Fenwick Island
- Land use and zoning (18 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (12 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (21 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (24 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 778 tax parcels in Fenwick Island, covering 145.8 mapped acres (median parcel 0.154 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Fenwick Island, see Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island
The basics
Is Fenwick Island a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Fenwick Island is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Fenwick Island town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Fenwick Island, Delaware in?
Fenwick Island is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Fenwick Island in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 343 residents in Fenwick Island (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Fenwick Island?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 778 tax parcels in Fenwick Island (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Fenwick Island?
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 Fenwick Island Town Hall?
Town Hall is at 800 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 302-539-3011. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
When does the Fenwick Island Town Council meet?
The town site says regular Town Council meetings are "generally held on the fourth Friday of each month but may be held other times as well." Dates are posted at least seven days ahead. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
Who handles planning and zoning in Fenwick Island?
The town has its own Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. The commission prepares and reviews the comprehensive plan, holds hybrid public meetings, and takes questions at [email protected]. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov, fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
Does Fenwick Island have its own zoning code?
Yes. The Town Code and Charter are published on ecode360 (ecode360.com/FE1574), linked from the town site. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov, ecode360.com.
Who provides water and sewer in Fenwick Island?
The town utilities page lists "Water: Artesian Water" and "Sewer: Sussex County." Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
History and lore
When was Fenwick Island incorporated?
The town was incorporated in 1953, with the charter approved July 8, 1953. Residents wanted to prevent the kind of overdevelopment seen in nearby Ocean City, Maryland. Source: archives.delaware.gov, charters.delaware.gov.
How did Fenwick Island get its name?
It is named for Thomas Fenwick, who owned the land at the turn of the eighteenth century. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What is the Fenwick Island Lighthouse?
The 87-foot lighthouse was completed in 1858 and first lit August 1, 1859. The Coast Guard decommissioned it December 13, 1978, it was listed on the National Register in 1979, and the state took ownership in 1981. Source: history.delaware.gov.
What is the Transpeninsular Line marker at Fenwick Island?
A marker erected April 26, 1751 marks the eastern end of the boundary surveyed between Pennsylvania's three lower counties (now Delaware) and Maryland. King George III ratified the line in 1769. Source: history.delaware.gov.
Is there pirate lore at Fenwick Island?
The town's sustainability plan mentions tales of pirates patrolling the waters of Assawoman Bay from the late 1600s into the mid-1700s. These are tales, not documented history. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
Events, holidays and occasions
Does Fenwick Island have a Fourth of July parade?
Yes. The town hosts an Independence Day Family Parade. The 2026 listing showed a 9 a.m. start, with pre-parade festivities at the Faucett-Okie Family Nature Preserve and the route ending at Pollinator Park, followed by refreshments at The Station. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
When is the Fenwick Island Christmas tree lighting?
The town holds a winter holiday tree lighting at the Town Park in early December. In 2025 it was Friday, December 5, at 5:30 p.m., with school choirs, carols, hot chocolate and an ornament craft. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
Is there a farmers market in Fenwick Island?
The Fenwick Island Farmers Market meets Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon, June 5 to September 4 in 2026, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture list. Source: agriculture.delaware.gov.
What is the Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour?
It is a two-day tour held every Thanksgiving weekend in which local artists open their studios and galleries, per Southern Delaware Tourism. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Is Return Day a holiday in Fenwick Island?
Return Day is a Sussex County legal holiday under Delaware Code Title 1, Section 501: the second day after the General Election, after 12:00 noon. It falls on the Thursday after Election Day in even-numbered years, and in 2026 that is November 5. The main celebration is held in Georgetown. Source: delcode.delaware.gov, visitsoutherndelaware.com, dagsboro.delaware.gov.
Weather, geography and hazards
What is the climate like in Fenwick Island, 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 Fenwick Island, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island in a flood zone?
Part of Fenwick Island 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 3 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 Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island 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 Fenwick Island on?
Fenwick Island is a narrow strip of land with the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Little Assawoman Bay on the west. The Delaware Public Archives notes that inlets once let ships sail from the Atlantic into Little Assawoman Bay. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves Fenwick Island?
Fenwick Island is served by the Indian River School District. Source: irsd.net.
What ZIP code covers Fenwick Island?
The Town of Fenwick Island's town hall is at 800 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
What major roads serve Fenwick Island?
DE 1 (Coastal Highway) is the main north-south road and runs through the town. DE 54 lies about a quarter mile away and is a key east-west road connecting the coastal communities with inland Delaware. Source: fenwickisland.delaware.gov.
Is there public transit in Fenwick Island?
In summer, DART First State Route 208 runs along DE 1 between the Lewes Transit Center and Ocean City, Maryland, serving Fenwick Island and other beach towns on the way. Source: dartfirststate.com, dartfirststate.com.
What parks or outdoor areas are in or near Fenwick Island?
Fenwick Island State Park has about three miles of ocean beach with lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day, plus a bayside recreation area on Little Assawoman Bay. Entry is $10 per day for Delaware-registered vehicles and $20 for others. Source: destateparks.com.