Sussex County, Delaware
Georgetown, Delaware
Georgetown is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware, and the county seat, where Sussex County government offices are located. The 2020 Census counted 7,134 residents. Sussex County lists it among its 25 municipalities. SussexCounty.ai is an independent site, not the county government.
Key facts
- Type
- Incorporated municipality
- County
- Sussex County, Delaware
- 2020 population
- 7,134 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://www.georgetowndel.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 Georgetown
- Land use and zoning (17 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (13 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (19 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (18 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 3,071 tax parcels in Georgetown, covering 2,888.5 mapped acres (median parcel 0.201 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Georgetown, see Georgetown 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 Georgetown
The basics
Is Georgetown a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Georgetown is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Georgetown town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Georgetown, Delaware in?
Georgetown is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Georgetown in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 7,134 residents in Georgetown (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Georgetown?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 3,071 tax parcels in Georgetown (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Georgetown?
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 Georgetown Town Hall?
Town Hall is at 37 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947, open Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:30. Phone 302.856.7391. Source: georgetowndel.com.
When do Georgetown Mayor and Council meet?
The town site does not state a standing schedule. Posted 2026 agendas are for Monday meetings (June 8, July 13 and August 10, 2026); the August 10 meeting began with a 6:30 PM public hearing at 39 The Circle. Source: georgetowndel.com, georgetowndel.com.
When does the Georgetown Planning Commission meet?
The town site says regular meetings are "held on the third Wednesday of the month," starting at 6:00 p.m. Five members are appointed by the Mayor with Council approval. Source: georgetowndel.com.
Does Georgetown have its own zoning code and map?
Yes. The town publishes a Zoning Map (PDF dated 7-7-2026), the Town Code on ecode360 (ecode360.com/GE1544) and Development Design Standards. Source: georgetowndel.com, ecode360.com.
Who provides water and sewer in Georgetown?
The Town of Georgetown runs its own Water and Wastewater departments. Utility bills are mailed quarterly in January, April, July and October. Source: georgetowndel.com, georgetowndel.com.
History and lore
When was Georgetown founded?
Georgetown was founded in 1791 as the new Sussex County seat. A January 29, 1791 act authorized the move from Lewes, commissioners bought 76 acres on May 9, 1791, and the seat of justice officially moved October 26, 1791. Source: georgetowndel.com, archives.delaware.gov.
How did Georgetown get its name?
It was named to honor Commissioner George Mitchell, who was active in the effort to move the county seat to a central location. Source: georgetowndel.com, archives.delaware.gov.
Why is Georgetown built around a circle?
The town is centered on The Circle. In 1863 the town limits were set at half a mile from the center of the public square, creating a circular boundary, and Georgetown was formally incorporated in 1869. Source: georgetowndel.com, archives.delaware.gov.
What historic sites are in Georgetown?
The town's history page says The Circle is listed in the national historic record. The red brick Greek Revival courthouse that dominates The Circle was built in 1839. Source: georgetowndel.com.
What is Georgetown known for?
Georgetown is known for The Circle, the county courthouse and Return Day, held every two years on the Thursday after the November general election. The town says it has long been said that Georgetown is 16 miles from everything. Source: georgetowndel.com, georgetowndel.com.
Events, holidays and occasions
What is Return Day in Georgetown?
Return Day is a Sussex County tradition held in Georgetown two days after each general election, in even-numbered years. The Town Crier reads results on the Circle, there is a parade, and party leaders bury a hatchet in sand. Free ox roast sandwiches are served. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com, capegazette.com.
When is Return Day in 2026?
Thursday, November 5, 2026, two days after the November 3 General Election. In 2024 the festivities ran roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 1 p.m. parade. The 2026 schedule had not been found at last check; confirm with the Return Day organizers. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com, dagsboro.delaware.gov.
When is Wings & Wheels in Georgetown?
Wings & Wheels is held in October at the Delaware Coastal Airport, with a vintage aircraft fly-in and a classic car show, per Southern Delaware Tourism. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
What is Festival Hispano in Georgetown?
It is a decades-old September street fair with music, dancing and food celebrating Delaware's diverse cultures, per Southern Delaware Tourism. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
When is the Georgetown Christmas parade?
The Georgetown Christmas Parade is held on the Circle in early December, paired with Sussex County's Caroling on the Circle. In 2023 caroling began at 6 p.m. and the parade and tree lighting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 7. Source: sussexcountyde.gov.
Weather, geography and hazards
What is the climate like in Georgetown, Delaware?
Using NOAA 1991 to 2020 climate normals from the Georgetown Delaware Coastal Airport station, the nearest of the stations we use, the average January low is 28.6 degrees F and the average July high is 87.7 degrees F. Annual precipitation averages 43.88 inches. The station is not inside Georgetown, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Georgetown get per year?
The Georgetown airport normals table we use for Georgetown does not publish snowfall. The nearest station we fetched with a 1991 to 2020 snowfall normal is the Lewes station, at 10.5 inches a year. Treat that as a regional reference, not a measurement for Georgetown. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
Is Georgetown in a flood zone?
Part of Georgetown 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 about 51 feet. 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown on?
The Census Bureau 2020 Gazetteer lists 0 square miles of water within Georgetown town limits. We found no official source naming a river, bay or ocean that the town sits on, so we do not list one. Source: www2.census.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves Georgetown?
Georgetown is in the Indian River School District, and Sussex Central High School, at 26044 Patriots Way, is in Georgetown. Source: explore.education.delaware.gov.
What ZIP code covers Georgetown?
Georgetown uses ZIP code 19947. Source: georgetowndel.com.
Is there a public library in Georgetown?
Yes. Georgetown Public Library is at 123 W. Pine Street. Source: sussexcounty.lib.de.us.
What major roads serve Georgetown?
US 113 is the main north-south route through the Georgetown area. US 9 crosses US 113 and runs east-west through town on the Market Street corridor. SR 18 meets US 113 in the area, and SR 404 runs through Georgetown. Source: deldot.gov.
Is there public transit in Georgetown?
DART First State buses connect at the Georgetown hub. A 2018 state release lists Route 206 serving Harbeson and Georgetown, Route 212 connecting there, and Route 303 linking Georgetown and Dover. Source: news.delaware.gov.