Sussex County, Delaware
Milton, Delaware
Milton is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 3,291 residents. Sussex County lists Milton 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
- 3,291 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://www.milton.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 Milton
- Land use and zoning (15 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (13 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (15 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (18 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 2,525 tax parcels in Milton, covering 1,583.6 mapped acres (median parcel 0.162 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of Milton, see Milton 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 Milton
The basics
Is Milton a town, a city or a census-designated place?
Milton is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Milton town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is Milton, Delaware in?
Milton is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of Milton in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 3,291 residents in Milton (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in Milton?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 2,525 tax parcels in Milton (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in Milton?
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 Milton Town Hall?
Town Hall is at 115 Federal Street, Milton, DE 19968, phone (302) 684-4110, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Source: milton.delaware.gov.
When does Milton Town Council meet?
The town site does not state a standing schedule. Agendas and meetings are on the town's civicweb portal (miltondelaware.civicweb.net). Source: milton.delaware.gov, milton.delaware.gov.
Who handles planning and zoning in Milton?
The town has a Planning and Code Enforcement department, boards and commissions, and a Town Code on ecode360 (ecode360.com/MI2821). The town site also publishes a Comprehensive Plan and Maps page. Source: milton.delaware.gov, milton.delaware.gov.
Does Milton have its own police department?
Yes. The town site lists a Milton Police Department, which launched its own website in May 2025. Source: milton.delaware.gov, milton.delaware.gov.
Who provides water in Milton?
The town. Its news page lists town water projects, including a Hemlock Street water main and service line replacement beginning April 20, 2026. Source: milton.delaware.gov.
History and lore
How was Milton founded?
Mills were built in the early 1700s at the head of navigation on the Broadkill River, and by the 1760s a village called Head of Broadkiln had been laid out nearby. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
How did Milton get its name?
The village was renamed Milton in 1807. A 2004 charter amendment says the name honors John Milton, the English poet. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
When was Milton incorporated?
Milton was first incorporated in 1865 as the "Commissioners of Milton," with five commissioners. It was re-incorporated several times afterward. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
What is Milton known for?
Shipbuilding on the Broadkill River peaked between the Civil War and 1880, when three or four schooners up to 125 feet long were often under construction at once, and it had nearly stopped by 1887. By the mid-19th century rows of historic houses lined Union, Federal and Chestnut streets, and the town describes a Victorian home district with many cypress-shingled houses. Source: milton.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
What historic sites are in Milton?
The Milton Historic District was first listed on the National Register on June 25, 1982. A 2022 amendment, added July 21, 2022, covers 233 town parcels on 76.4 acres, of which 199 are contributing properties. The Hazzard House and the Draper-Adkins House were each listed in 1973. Source: history.delaware.gov, milton.delaware.gov, nps.gov.
Events, holidays and occasions
What is the Milton Holly Festival?
It is a December event run by the Milton Chamber of Commerce with craft vendors, a Santa visit, wreath-making demonstrations and a holiday house tour of historic homes. A 2014 listing put it on the second Saturday of December; confirm the current date. Source: milton.delaware.gov, visitsoutherndelaware.com.
When is the Milton St. Patrick's Day Parade?
It is held in March with a Lucky Leprechaun 5K, and Southern Delaware Tourism describes a parade with about 75 entries. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Is there a farmers market in Milton?
The Milton Farmers and Artisans Market meets Fridays from 3:30 to 6 p.m., May 8 to September 4 in 2026. Source: agriculture.delaware.gov.
What fall events happen in Milton?
Southern Delaware Tourism's festival list shows the Punkin Ale Fest and Milton Theatre's Zombie Fest in October. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
When is the Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival?
It is held in May and celebrates horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds, listed under Milton by Southern Delaware Tourism. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Weather, geography and hazards
What is the climate like in Milton, 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 Milton, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does Milton get per year?
The Georgetown airport normals table we use for Milton 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 Milton. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
Is Milton in a flood zone?
Part of Milton 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 33 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 Milton 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 Milton 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 Milton on?
Milton grew around mills at the head of navigation of the Broadkill River, per the Delaware Public Archives. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves Milton?
Milton is in the Cape Henlopen School District. The district's schools include Milton Elementary School, H.O. Brittingham Elementary School and Mariner Middle School, plus Cape Henlopen High School on Kings Highway. The district page does not say which school serves which address, so check its boundary map. Source: capehenlopenschools.com, capehenlopenschools.com.
What ZIP code covers Milton?
Milton uses ZIP code 19968. Town Hall is at 115 Federal Street, Milton, DE 19968. Source: milton.delaware.gov.
Is there a public library in Milton?
Yes. Milton Public Library is at 121 Union St. Source: sussexcounty.lib.de.us.
What major roads serve Milton?
Per DelDOT, DE 5 enters Milton as the Union Street Extension and becomes Union Street and then Federal Street downtown. DE 16 runs near town and meets SR 1, SR 30 and SR 5, and DE 30 meets DE 16 at a planned roundabout. US 9 runs east-west outside town. Source: deldot.gov.
Is there public transit in Milton?
DART First State Route 303, Intercounty Dover / Milford / Georgetown, lists Milton among its stops, along with Dover, Magnolia, Frederica, Milford, Lincoln, Ellendale, Harbeson and Georgetown. Source: dartfirststate.com.