Sussex County, Delaware Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Sussex County, Delaware
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Sussex County effective property tax rate: 2.20%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Sussex County home value: $42,000
Median annual Sussex County tax bill: $943, $1,457 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Sussex County calculated?

Property taxes in Sussex County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Georgetown or another part of Sussex County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Sussex County, Delaware Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

2.2%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$924

$857

Ownwell’s Sussex County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Sussex County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Sussex County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Sussex County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Sussex County, Delaware

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Sussex County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Delaware or the U.S. median property tax rate. Sussex County has a median property tax rate of 2.20%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within the county, the highest median tax rate is in Laurel at 2.96%, while Bethany Beach has the lowest at 2.07%. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax dynamics, as they can impact your overall property tax bill. Whether you're a homeowner or a prospective buyer, being informed about these rates can help you make better financial decisions.

Property Tax Rates Across Sussex County, Delaware

Source: Ownwell

2.07%

2.51%

2.96%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Sussex County Tax Rate

2.20%

Median Effective Delaware Tax Rate

1.41%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Sussex County, Delaware

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bethany Beach	2.07%	2.07%	2.07%	2.07%	2.07%
Bethel	1.84%	2.90%	2.93%	3.04%	3.18%
Bridgeville	2.04%	2.90%	2.95%	3.39%	3.98%
Dagsboro	1.33%	2.07%	2.09%	2.13%	2.28%
Delmar	1.59%	2.49%	2.53%	2.57%	2.63%
Dewey Beach	2.46%	2.70%	2.96%	3.33%	3.57%
Ellendale	1.87%	2.78%	2.78%	3.00%	3.41%
Fenwick Island	2.07%	2.07%	2.08%	2.09%	2.11%
Frankford	1.49%	2.08%	2.12%	2.20%	2.63%
Georgetown	1.33%	2.07%	2.10%	2.14%	2.19%
Greenwood	1.78%	2.80%	2.94%	3.02%	4.02%
Harbeson	1.48%	2.08%	2.46%	2.46%	2.46%
Harrington	2.14%	2.78%	2.93%	2.96%	2.98%
Laurel	1.86%	2.90%	2.96%	3.04%	3.12%
Lewes	1.66%	2.46%	2.46%	2.46%	2.46%
Lincoln	1.61%	2.46%	2.61%	2.78%	2.78%
Milford	1.61%	2.78%	2.78%	2.78%	2.78%
Millsboro	1.34%	2.07%	2.07%	2.11%	2.17%
Millville	1.42%	2.11%	2.12%	2.15%	2.18%
Milton	1.49%	2.46%	2.46%	2.46%	2.46%
Ocean View	1.66%	2.07%	2.11%	2.20%	3.06%
Rehoboth Beach	1.96%	2.46%	2.46%	2.46%	2.75%
Seaford	1.47%	2.50%	2.50%	2.50%	2.51%
Selbyville	1.37%	2.07%	2.07%	2.11%	2.16%
Bishopville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Blades	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Willards	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sussex County, Delaware

When examining property taxes in Sussex County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Sussex County Department of Finance estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

Assessment notices:

In Sussex County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Sussex County. For example, the median tax bill in Sussex County is $1,385, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Fenwick Island has the highest median home price at $60,100.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sussex County, Delaware

Source: Ownwell

$23,500

$41,800

$60,100

Median Sussex County Market Value

$42,000

Median Delaware Market Value

$64,200

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sussex County, Delaware

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bethany Beach	$35,150	$45,000	$58,300	$76,700	$111,700
Bethel	$9,980	$14,500	$23,500	$34,000	$55,300
Bridgeville	$10,760	$17,000	$30,100	$47,000	$59,800
Dagsboro	$15,000	$27,400	$44,100	$65,000	$84,000
Delmar	$12,000	$18,400	$29,900	$42,600	$57,300
Dewey Beach	$18,100	$27,625	$44,600	$68,975	$89,720
Ellendale	$10,700	$15,100	$27,700	$39,800	$51,420
Fenwick Island	$9,220	$38,950	$60,100	$87,050	$116,600
Frankford	$12,000	$23,300	$37,400	$56,300	$69,500
Georgetown	$12,800	$20,800	$31,900	$46,400	$62,500
Greenwood	$13,450	$22,200	$31,100	$41,500	$59,300
Harbeson	$24,100	$37,650	$58,700	$73,325	$91,080
Harrington	$10,180	$20,200	$33,000	$44,900	$71,080
Laurel	$11,800	$17,100	$27,900	$38,700	$53,800
Lewes	$15,600	$31,100	$51,900	$72,200	$90,700
Lincoln	$12,200	$19,300	$30,500	$40,400	$53,500
Milford	$13,940	$23,900	$34,000	$45,400	$61,600
Millsboro	$12,000	$18,600	$33,400	$55,600	$73,500
Millville	$45,700	$51,600	$59,700	$67,300	$71,620
Milton	$17,800	$31,900	$49,500	$65,400	$79,700
Ocean View	$18,500	$34,800	$52,300	$72,200	$85,800
Rehoboth Beach	$16,000	$31,600	$52,300	$75,300	$100,900
Seaford	$12,000	$18,600	$28,800	$40,200	$55,700
Selbyville	$19,900	$33,100	$52,000	$70,000	$92,200
Bishopville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Blades	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Willards	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Sussex County, Delaware

In Sussex County, DE, property tax bills are determined by multiplying the assessed value of a home by the local tax rate. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the home's market value, and this rate can vary from one locality to another. For homeowners in Sussex County, the median home price is $42,000, which influences the overall tax bill. The tax bill can range significantly, with the 25th percentile at $563 and the 75th percentile at $1,399. At the 90th percentile, homeowners might face a tax bill of up to $1,895. Dewey Beach, within the county, has the highest median tax bill at $1,385, while Bethel has the lowest at $565. These figures highlight the variability in tax bills across different areas within the county. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Sussex County's tax bills can be relatively lower, making it an appealing option for homeowners seeking manageable property taxes. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners to anticipate their annual financial obligations.

Property Tax Bills Across Sussex County, Delaware

Source: Ownwell

$565

$975

$1,385

Median Sussex County Tax Bill

$943

Median Delaware Tax Bill

$1,362

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Sussex County, Delaware

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bethany Beach	$704	$905	$1,185	$1,566	$2,292
Bethel	$296	$398	$565	$978	$1,622
Bridgeville	$348	$501	$847	$1,380	$1,857
Dagsboro	$307	$534	$849	$1,294	$1,768
Delmar	$287	$414	$707	$1,043	$1,412
Dewey Beach	$493	$1,027	$1,385	$2,021	$2,536
Ellendale	$310	$419	$746	$1,036	$1,341
Fenwick Island	$182	$789	$1,211	$1,765	$2,356
Frankford	$293	$538	$837	$1,212	$1,476
Georgetown	$264	$395	$613	$908	$1,258
Greenwood	$403	$627	$888	$1,187	$1,653
Harbeson	$478	$766	$1,344	$1,684	$2,046
Harrington	$265	$557	$972	$1,259	$1,870
Laurel	$322	$461	$741	$1,064	$1,501
Lewes	$387	$707	$1,214	$1,711	$2,162
Lincoln	$295	$448	$726	$1,017	$1,388
Milford	$353	$562	$848	$1,176	$1,618
Millsboro	$250	$374	$650	$1,106	$1,518
Millville	$853	$1,063	$1,228	$1,421	$1,518
Milton	$398	$680	$1,074	$1,500	$1,872
Ocean View	$506	$804	$1,119	$1,494	$1,791
Rehoboth Beach	$414	$773	$1,275	$1,845	$2,470
Seaford	$280	$422	$645	$939	$1,323
Selbyville	$407	$656	$1,014	$1,416	$1,890
Bishopville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Blades	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Willards	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell