Sussex County, Delaware
Lewes, Delaware
Lewes is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 3,303 residents. Sussex County lists Lewes 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
- 3,303 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- http://www.ci.lewes.de.us/
- 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 Lewes
- Land use and zoning (16 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (15 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (19 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (21 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 3,134 tax parcels in Lewes, covering 2,083.5 mapped acres (median parcel 0.197 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Lewes, see Lewes 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 Lewes
The basics
Is Lewes a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Lewes is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Lewes city, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Lewes, Delaware in?
Lewes is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Lewes in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 3,303 residents in Lewes (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Lewes?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 3,134 tax parcels in Lewes (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Lewes?
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 Lewes City Hall?
City Hall is at 114 E. Third Street, P.O. Box 227, Lewes, DE 19958, phone 302-645-7777. Source: ci.lewes.de.us.
When does Lewes Mayor and City Council meet?
The city site says: "The Mayor and City Council meets regularly at 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of every month," in Council Chambers at City Hall. Source: ci.lewes.de.us.
When does the Lewes Planning Commission meet?
Monthly on the third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Rollins Community Center, 101 Adams Ave., unless noted. It reviews land development, subdivisions, Zoning Ordinance changes and Comprehensive Plan updates. Source: ci.lewes.de.us.
Does Lewes have its own zoning rules?
Yes. Lewes has its own Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, and the Planning Commission reviews changes to the city Zoning Ordinance. Source: ci.lewes.de.us, ci.lewes.de.us.
Who provides utilities in Lewes?
The city site lists the Lewes Board of Public Works (BPW) as a community partner under "BPW / Utilities" with its own site. The city page does not itemize which services BPW provides. Source: ci.lewes.de.us.
History and lore
When was Lewes founded?
Dutch settlers founded Lewes in 1631, and the Delaware Public Archives describes it as the site of Delaware's first European settlement. The town was incorporated in 1818 as the Trustees of the Town of Lewes. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
How did Lewes get its name?
William Penn renamed the southernmost county Sussex after his home county, and named the town where he first landed Lewes after the county seat of Sussex, England. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Why is Lewes called the First Town in the First State?
The City of Lewes calls itself "The First Town in the First State." The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs says the Zwaanendael Museum commemorates the founding of Delaware's first European settlement by the Dutch in 1631. Source: ci.lewes.de.us, history.delaware.gov.
When was Lewes incorporated?
Lewes was incorporated in 1818 as "The Trustees of the Town of Lewes," and became The City of Lewes in 1969. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What happened in Lewes during the War of 1812?
Royal Navy vessels shelled Lewes for about 22 hours on April 6-7, 1813. The Cannonball House, built around 1760, still has an iron cannonball lodged in its foundation and is listed on the National Register. Source: archives.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
Events, holidays and occasions
What annual events happen in Lewes?
Southern Delaware Tourism lists the Great Delaware Kite Festival (Good Friday, Cape Henlopen State Park), the Mid Atlantic Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival and Chautauqua (June), an outdoor antiques show (August), Boast the Coast Maritime Festival (October), and Winter WonderFEST lights at Cape Henlopen (November to January 1). Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Does Lewes have a Fourth of July parade and fireworks?
Yes. Recent listings show children's games on Second Street in the morning, a boat parade and a Doo-Dah parade in the afternoon, and fireworks at dusk. Times change from year to year, so check the Lewes Chamber of Commerce before going. Source: bestofbethany.com, wdel.com.
When is the Lewes Christmas parade?
The Lewes Old Fashioned Christmas Parade is held on a Saturday in early December, hosted by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. In 2025 it ran on December 6, followed by a tree lighting and candlelight caroling in Zwaanendael Park. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Is there a farmers market in Lewes?
The Historic Lewes Farmers Market meets Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, May 2 to September 26 in 2026, at George H. P. Smith Park. A fall season runs Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon, October 3 to December 5, 2026, at the Lewes school parking lot. A Wednesday market on Kings Highway runs June 3 to September 2, 2026. Source: agriculture.delaware.gov.
What is Boast the Coast in Lewes?
Boast the Coast is a maritime festival held in October with maritime activities around the city and a boat parade, according to Southern Delaware Tourism. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com, visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Weather, geography and hazards
What is the climate like in Lewes, 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 Lewes, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Lewes 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 Lewes in a flood zone?
Part of Lewes 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 5 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 Lewes 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 Lewes 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 Lewes on?
Lewes sits at the southern edge of Delaware Bay and beside the Lewes & Rehoboth Canal. Cape Henlopen State Park, next to Lewes, has both ocean and bay beaches. Source: visitdelaware.com, ci.lewes.de.us, destateparks.com.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves Lewes?
Lewes is in the Cape Henlopen School District, whose schools are in Rehoboth, Lewes and Milton. The district lists Lewes Elementary School and Love Creek Elementary School (19488 John J. Williams Hwy, Lewes) among its elementary schools. Richard A. Shields Elementary is no longer an active school, and Frederick D. Thomas Middle School opened on the former Shields site in September 2024. Cape Henlopen High School is on Kings Highway. Check the district's boundary map for a specific address. Source: capehenlopenschools.com, capehenlopenschools.com, explore.education.delaware.gov.
What ZIP code covers Lewes?
Lewes uses ZIP code 19958. City Hall is at 114 E. Third Street, Lewes, DE 19958. Source: ci.lewes.de.us.
Is there a public library in Lewes?
Yes. Lewes Public Library is at 111 Adams Ave. Source: sussexcounty.lib.de.us.
What major roads serve Lewes?
DelDOT's Lewes-area study describes SR 1 as the main north-south route. Savannah Road is US 9 Business, and DelDOT's master plan study runs it from Savannah Beach to Five Points. Kings Highway is US 9. New Road is used by local drivers to reach western Lewes. Source: deldot.gov, deldot.gov.
What parks or outdoor areas are in or near Lewes?
Lewes city parks include 1812 Memorial Park, Canalfront Park and Marina, George H.P. Smith Park, Great Marsh Park, Mary Vessels Park, Otis Smith Park, Stango Park and Zwaanendael Park. Canalfront Park is on Front Street beside the Lewes & Rehoboth Canal and has a 19-slip marina and a fishing pier. Cape Henlopen State Park, near Lewes, has ocean and bay beaches, Fort Miles and eight trails. Source: ci.lewes.de.us, ci.lewes.de.us, destateparks.com.