Sussex County, Delaware Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Sussex County is located in Delaware with a total population of 247,799. It is the 2nd most populous county out of 3 in Delaware.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sussex County is 51.4 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 41.5 years. 10.8% 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 Sussex County is $78,162. This is 6% lower than the state median of $82,855. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is about average. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $353,300. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $326,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 72.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sussex County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.2%. The Black or African American population (10.2%) is well below the state average of 21.4%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.1%.

Education

32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower 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 89.6%.