Sussex County: Demographics & People
Sussex County is home to 255,626 people, in 106,441 households. Median age 51.9 years. (14.9y older than Delaware). Population is 12% Hispanic or Latino and 10% Black. County is gaining 17,165 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Delaware avg 2.5).
- 93 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Delaware 70).
Population & Trend
Current population 255,626; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 255,626 people (vs Delaware 13,439) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 56,379 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 51.9y is 13.0 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 255,626 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 46,256 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 40,007.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 92,114.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 77,249 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 18.1% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 15.7% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 36.0% |
| Median age | 51.9 years (vs Delaware 37.0y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 255,626 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 255,626 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 189,534 |
| Black residents | 25,415 |
| Asian residents | 3,244 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 1,765 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 41 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 12,569 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 23,058 |
| Diversity Index | 43.0% |
| Asian population | 1.3% (vs Delaware 2.9%) |
| Black population | 9.9% (vs Delaware 26.7%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 11.5% (vs Delaware 10.7%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 23.4% are foreign-born — above the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 255,626 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 234,234 |
| Residents born in this state | 92,007 |
| Residents born in another state | 139,934 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 59,764 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 5,088 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 2,293 |
| Foreign-born residents | 23.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
106,441 households.
| Family households | 72,029 households (vs Delaware 3,428) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 106,441 households (vs Delaware 5,560) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 17,165 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 246,573 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 229,408 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 17,165 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 252,881 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 37,581 |
| Pct With Disability | 14.9% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 2,709 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 253,852 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 228,344 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 9,158 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 3,245 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 12,016 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 1,089 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 25,508 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 10.1% |
| Pct White | 74.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29