Sussex County, Delaware
Henlopen Acres, Delaware
Henlopen Acres is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 139 residents. Sussex County lists Henlopen Acres 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
- 139 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://henlopenacres.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 Henlopen Acres
- Land use and zoning (12 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (9 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (16 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (20 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 218 tax parcels in Henlopen Acres, covering 121.8 mapped acres (median parcel 0.459 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Henlopen Acres, see Henlopen Acres 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 Henlopen Acres
The basics
Is Henlopen Acres a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Henlopen Acres is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Henlopen Acres town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Henlopen Acres, Delaware in?
Henlopen Acres is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Henlopen Acres in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 139 residents in Henlopen Acres (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Henlopen Acres?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 218 tax parcels in Henlopen Acres (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Henlopen Acres?
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 Henlopen Acres Town Hall?
Town Hall is at 104 Tidewaters, Henlopen Acres, DE 19971, phone (302) 227-6411. Zoning and building permit office hours are by appointment. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
When does the Henlopen Acres Board of Commissioners meet?
The town site lists quarterly Board of Commissioners meetings, for example Friday, October 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., plus special meetings such as December 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Who handles planning and zoning in Henlopen Acres?
The town has its own Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment and Environmental Approval Committee. It is an incorporated town, so those boards apply here instead of county planning staff. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov, henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Does Henlopen Acres have its own code?
Yes. The town site has a Charter & Code section under Information, and it adopted a new tree ordinance on January 9, 2026. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov, henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Who provides water and sewer in Henlopen Acres?
The town site does not name a provider. It has a Water Quality page and lists Public Works supervisors for streets and the marina, so confirm service details with Town Hall. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov, henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Does Henlopen Acres have its own police department?
The town site lists a security supervisor but does not describe a police department. Confirm coverage with Town Hall. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
History and lore
When was Henlopen Acres incorporated?
Henlopen Acres was incorporated in 1970, its only incorporation. The charter's territorial limits match the 1930 deed. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Who developed Henlopen Acres?
In 1930 W. S. Corkran, an architect and engineer, deeded three tracts to Henlopen Acres, Inc., a corporation he remained a principal in, to develop a resort residential community. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
How did Henlopen Acres get its name?
The town's 2025 comprehensive plan says Colonel Wilbur Corkran named the development after the Henlopen Lighthouse, which stood within sight of the property for about 200 years. The Delaware Public Archives says W.S. Corkran deeded the land to Henlopen Acres, Inc. in 1930, and the town was incorporated in 1970. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
How was Henlopen Acres designed?
The plan had wide streets following the land's contours, landscaped parks, bridle paths and a yacht club. Lots were generally 150 by 170 feet, with sizes varied to save trees and keep views. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What is Henlopen Acres known for?
The Delaware Public Archives calls it Delaware's smallest town, at 0.3 square miles with 216 parcels. It was incorporated once, in 1970. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What historic sites are in Henlopen Acres?
The Peter Marsh House at 10 Dodd's Lane has a National Park Service National Register record dated November 23, 1977. The town's comprehensive plan says the house was built around 1743 and is now part of the Rehoboth Art League campus. Source: npgallery.nps.gov, henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Events, holidays and occasions
Does Henlopen Acres hold public events?
The town website lists only committee and board meetings, and no public festivals, parades or holiday events. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Where are the nearest public events to Henlopen Acres?
Rehoboth Beach is next door: the Sea Witch Festival is in late October, a bandstand tree lighting is in late November, and fireworks are in early July. Source: rehobothbeachde.gov, rehobothbeachde.gov.
Is Return Day a holiday in Henlopen Acres?
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 Henlopen Acres, 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 Henlopen Acres, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Henlopen Acres 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 Henlopen Acres in a flood zone?
Part of Henlopen Acres 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 17 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 Henlopen Acres 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 Henlopen Acres 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 Henlopen Acres on?
The Atlantic Ocean forms the eastern edge of Henlopen Acres, and the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal forms its northwest and west boundary. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What parks or outdoor areas are in or near Henlopen Acres?
The town includes Block W, two oceanfront parcels with 1,042 feet of beach frontage, next to the state's Deauville Beach. The Henlopen Acres Beach Club is in the northeast corner of Block W. Cape Henlopen State Park is in Lewes, and Deauville Beach, part of the park, is just north of Rehoboth Beach. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov, destateparks.com.
Is there a public library in Henlopen Acres?
The Sussex County Department of Libraries location list shows no branch in Henlopen Acres. Listed branches in nearby towns include Rehoboth Beach Public Library at 227 Rehoboth Ave. and Lewes Public Library at 111 Adams Ave.. Source: sussexcounty.lib.de.us.
What hospitals serve Henlopen Acres?
Hospitals serving the coastal area include Beebe Healthcare, whose main campus is at 424 Savannah Road in Lewes, and Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus at 100 Wellness Way in Milford. Source: beebehealthcare.org, bayhealth.org.
Does Henlopen Acres have a police department?
No. The 2025 comprehensive plan update says the Town has no police force but employs a security force with 24-hour patrol. Those officers cannot make arrests and contact the Delaware State Police as needed. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Who collects trash in Henlopen Acres?
The Town does not provide trash service. The 2025 comprehensive plan says owners arrange pickup individually, with Casella serving 81 customers and Waste Management 64. Source: henlopenacres.delaware.gov.