Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Lewes, Delaware
Median Lewes, Delaware effective property tax rate: 2.46%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Delaware state median of null%.
Median Lewes, Delaware home value: $52,900
Median annual Lewes, Delaware tax bill: $1,235, $1,165 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Sussex calculated?
Property taxes in Lewes, Delaware 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 Lewes's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Lewes, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.46%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,301
$1,208
How Does the Lewes Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Lewes property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Lewes's median effective tax rate of 2.46% — based on actual property records in Sussex County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment process uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Lewes's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Lewes: rates range from 2.46% in 19958 to 2.46% in 19958, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Lewes.
About Lewes Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Lewes, Sussex, Delaware
Lewes has a median effective property tax rate of 2.46%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Sussex County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Lewes. Homeowners in the 19958 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.46%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 2.46%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Sussex County. Understanding where you live in Lewes can still make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Lewes homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before March 15, 2026.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, 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 Lewes's effective property tax rate to other cities in Delaware and the median property tax rates in Delaware and the U.S.
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 Lewes Tax Rate
2.46%
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
2.21%
Median Effective Delaware Tax Rate
1.33%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19958 | 1.67% | 2.46% | 2.46% | 2.46% | 2.46% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
When examining property taxes in Lewes, Delaware, 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 assessment office 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 the month when notices are sent.
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 Lewes.
For example, the median home price in Lewes is $52,900, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 19958 has the highest median home price at $52,900.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
Source: Ownwell
$24,350
$42,625
$60,900
Median Lewes Market Value
$52,900
Median Sussex County Market Value
$42,600
Median Delaware Market Value
$66,000
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19958 | $16,600 | $32,800 | $52,900 | $72,500 | $90,700 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
Property tax bills in Lewes are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price. Local taxing authorities apply the property tax rate to that assessment to determine the annual bill, so changes in value, exemptions, and local rates can all affect what a homeowner pays. For many owners, the size of the bill depends on how their property is classified and whether the assessment reflects current conditions accurately.
In Sussex County, the median home price is $52,900, and the median property tax bill is $1,235 in ZIP code 19958. That figure is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400, which can make local taxes feel more manageable than in many other parts of the country. Even so, bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $731 and the 75th percentile at $1,720, showing how different assessments and tax rates can affect homeowners.
Median Lewes Tax Bill
$1,235
Median Sussex County Tax Bill
$945
Median Delaware Tax Bill
$1,454
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19958 | $402 | $731 | $1,235 | $1,720 | $2,164 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Sussex Tax Assessor | |
| Website | property.sussexcountyde.gov |