Lewes city, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Lewes city is a small community located in Delaware. The total population is 3,415. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 79 cities and towns in Delaware.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lewes city is 67.3 years. This is 62% higher than the state median of 41.5 years. Only 6.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 24.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lewes city is $92,375. This is 11% higher than the state median of $82,855. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $806,700. Housing costs are 147% higher than the state median of $326,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 86.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 72.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Lewes city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.8% vs 59.0%). The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 21.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.1%.

Education

65.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 35.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.3%. Notably, 42.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Lewes city, Delaware is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Delaware state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 79 Census-designated places in Delaware. For official data, visit data.census.gov.