Population 30,184 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lewes
Household size in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.16 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.27 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.18 | 2.62 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.08 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Lewes are small: just 2.08 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.16 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 37 Delaware cities with 5,000+ people, only two have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.2 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 56.5 | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 57.9 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 61.6 | 43.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.4 | +3.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 61.6, Lewes is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 53.2 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Delaware city with 5,000+ people is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 12.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 11.2% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Lewes: 4.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Delaware city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lewes
Renters in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 26.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 28.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.0% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.9% | 27.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +0.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Lewes is largely a place of homeowners: only 15.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About half of owners (49.6%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.2% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 37.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.9% | 11.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.8% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −13.5 pts | −3.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Lewes: 20.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 13.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1979 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1994 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2000 | 1982 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2002 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Lewes is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2002, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the north.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $987 | $1,037 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,258 | $1,109 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,300 | $1,228 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,616 | $1,514 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$630 | +$477 | +$606 |
Rent in Lewes runs $1,616 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in Delaware overall ($1,514). Rent has climbed $630 a month since 2006–10, up 64%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 33.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lewes
Bachelor's degrees in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.0% | 27.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.0% | 29.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.2% | 31.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 48.2% | 35.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +15.2 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Lewes: 48.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 15.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 37 Delaware cities with 5,000+ people, only three have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.1% | 87.2% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.8% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Lewes: 96.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.1 points, mirroring the country. Only two of the 37 Delaware cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lewes
| Period | Lewes | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.2% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.6% | 8.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Lewes than nationally: unemployment was 3.5%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lewes compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewes | 2.08 | 61.6 | 4.0% | 15.9% | 20.8% | 2002 | $1,616 | 48.2% | 96.2% | 3.5% |
| North Shores | 2.52 | 61.3 | 0.5% | 11.8% | 28.7% | 2006 | $968 | 56.5% | 95.5% | 3.3% |
| Rehoboth Beach | 2.00 | 58.5 | 4.7% | 12.3% | 43.9% | 1998 | $1,723 | 53.0% | 95.7% | 7.5% |
| Cool Spring | 2.38 | 58.8 | 0.1% | 12.4% | 10.8% | 2012 | $2,029 | 54.3% | 94.4% | 6.7% |
| Harbeson | 2.23 | 57.5 | 3.4% | 5.0% | 13.5% | 2008 | $2,087 | 42.1% | 92.9% | 7.5% |
| Henlopen Acres | 1.92 | 68.4 | 3.4% | 5.5% | 75.8% | 1975 | $1,261 | 74.9% | 97.9% | 5.1% |
| Seabreeze | 2.11 | 61.6 | 0.4% | 18.5% | 66.5% | 1989 | $1,388 | 68.1% | 99.8% | 5.4% |
| Dewey Beach | 1.89 | 65.2 | 2.4% | 10.1% | 81.5% | 1986 | $1,527 | 75.8% | 99.3% | 2.7% |
| Milton | 2.45 | 52.7 | 8.1% | 13.1% | 16.1% | 2004 | $1,793 | 43.1% | 93.6% | 5.6% |
| Long Neck | 1.78 | 66.6 | 5.5% | 9.6% | 45.5% | 1998 | $1,098 | 20.6% | 98.3% | 0.6% |
| Riverdale | 2.27 | 57.5 | 8.6% | 22.7% | 21.2% | 2010 | $1,646 | 20.7% | 93.9% | 8.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Allison Park, PA · Apollo Beach, FL · Phillipsburg, NJ · Monsey, NY · Monterey, CA · Montrose Heights, VA · Mount Holly, NC · Mount Holly, NJ · Mount Pleasant, WI · Mount Vernon, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lewes. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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