Sussex County, Delaware
South Bethany, Delaware
South Bethany is an incorporated municipality in Sussex County, Delaware. The 2020 Census counted 451 residents. Sussex County lists South Bethany 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
- 451 (source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census)
- Official website
- https://southbethany.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 South Bethany
- Land use and zoning (13 questions)
- People and housing (14 questions)
- History and events (11 questions)
- Schools, services and getting around (17 questions)
- Weather, flooding and hazards (20 questions)
SussexCounty.ai data
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 1,406 tax parcels in South Bethany, covering 221.2 mapped acres (median parcel 0.121 acres). Source: SussexCounty.ai, Parcels by jurisdiction, compiled from Sussex County GIS parcel records. CC BY 4.0.
Local coverage
For civic coverage of South Bethany, see South Bethany 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 South Bethany
The basics
Is South Bethany a town, a city or a census-designated place?
South Bethany is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as South Bethany town, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.
What county is South Bethany, Delaware in?
South Bethany is in Sussex County, Delaware.
What was the population of South Bethany in the 2020 Census?
The 2020 Census counted 451 residents in South Bethany (U.S. Census Bureau).
How many tax parcels are in South Bethany?
As of 2026-08-09, SussexCounty.ai counts 1,406 tax parcels in South Bethany (Parcels by jurisdiction).
Who issues building permits in South Bethany?
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
Who handles planning in South Bethany?
The town has its own Planning Commission, which reviews the Comprehensive Plan at least every five years and holds public hearings on subdivision and lot-combination requests. Members must attend in person. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
Does South Bethany have its own code?
Yes. The town site has a Town Code page, an Ordinances and Resolutions page and a Board of Adjustment. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
When does South Bethany Planning Commission meet?
The town site does not state a fixed meeting day. Recent meetings were listed on 06/12/2026 and a joint workshop with Town Council on 06/26/2026. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
Does South Bethany have its own police department?
Yes. The town website lists a Police Department in its Government menu, and Coastal Point reported on October 16, 2026 on the town police chief. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov, coastalpoint.com.
Who collects trash in South Bethany?
Casella Waste Systems. Coastal Point reported on January 15, 2026 that Council chose Casella for about $2 million over five years. Source: coastalpoint.com.
History and lore
When was South Bethany incorporated?
Governor Russell W. Peterson signed Senate Bill 246 on June 18, 1969, incorporating the town. Jim Cleveland became its first mayor. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
How did South Bethany get its name?
The land was once part of a 1695 patent called South Petherton. In 1952 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hall bought about 130 acres and named it South Bethany. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
Why did South Bethany's incorporation take years?
Governor Terry signed an incorporation bill in December 1965, but the first charter was defeated in a town referendum in April 1966. A charter was finally approved by referendum in 1969. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
What was the 1962 storm?
By 1962 thirty-seven homes had been built directly on the dunes when a severe March storm struck, causing major disruption. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
What is South Bethany's nickname?
The town's history page calls South Bethany the "Best Little Beach in Delaware." Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
Events, holidays and occasions
When is the South Bethany tree lighting?
South Bethany held its holiday tree lighting at the Town Hall Fitness Park at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025. It is typically an early December event. Source: coastalpoint.com.
Does South Bethany have a Fourth of July event?
A Coastal Point roundup reported a boat parade in Jefferson Creek around July 1, with awards at Town Hall, and no town event on July 4 itself. The article is undated, so confirm with the town. Bethany Beach next door holds a July 4 parade and fireworks. Source: coastalpoint.com, bestofbethany.com.
Where are the nearest farmers markets to South Bethany?
The closest listed markets are in Bethany Beach: Sundays 8 a.m. to noon (May 31 to September 6, 2026) and Wednesdays at Sea Colony (June 3 to September 2, 2026). The Fenwick Island market meets Fridays. Source: agriculture.delaware.gov.
Where can South Bethany residents see the Fire and Ice Festival?
The festival is based in Bethany Beach, with additional sites in Ocean View, Millville and Frankford. It is led by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and is held around late January or early February. Source: selbyville.delaware.gov.
Is Return Day a holiday in South Bethany?
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 South Bethany, 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 South Bethany, so readings in town can differ a little, especially near the water. Source: ncei.noaa.gov.
How much snow does South Bethany 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 South Bethany in a flood zone?
Part of South Bethany 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 South Bethany 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 South Bethany 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 South Bethany on?
The town's western boundary follows the Assawoman and Jefferson Creek Canals. In the 1950s the developer drained marsh and built roads and canals for residential lots. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Schools, parks and getting around
What school district serves South Bethany?
South Bethany is in the Indian River School District, which lists South Bethany among the communities it serves. Source: irsd.net.
What ZIP code covers South Bethany?
South Bethany uses ZIP code 19930. Town Hall is at 402 Evergreen Road, South Bethany, DE 19930. Source: southbethany.delaware.gov.
What parks or outdoor areas are in or near South Bethany?
Nearby state parks include Delaware Seashore State Park, with about six and a half miles of barrier beach, and Fenwick Island State Park, Delaware's southernmost beach park with three miles of ocean beaches. Source: destateparks.com, destateparks.com.
Is there a public library in South Bethany?
The Sussex County list shows no branch in South Bethany. South Coastal Public Library is at 43 Kent Avenue in neighboring Bethany Beach. Source: sussexcounty.lib.de.us.
What hospitals serve South Bethany?
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.