Lewes: Economy & Jobs
Lewes's typical household earns $96,393 (1.2× higher than Sussex County median $81,497; 1.1× higher than Delaware median $84,954), with homes at a median value of $826,100. The surrounding county supports 94,273 jobs (avg $55,078).
- $86,378 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Delaware $89,269).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $96,393 — above the Delaware median ($76,912). Poverty rate 7.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 43% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 8.6× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | very expensive |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 15.8% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 42.9% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 7.9% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 2.1% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $134,040 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $11,578,129 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $86,378 (vs Delaware $89,269) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $105,262 |
| Median Household Income | $96,393 (vs Delaware $76,912) |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $96,393 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.4% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 40% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 40.2% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 94,273 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $5,192,379,669 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $55,078 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 469,280 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.4% (vs Delaware 4.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 85 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 192,844 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 2,268.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Crop Totals, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 6,358 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 76,709 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 3,667,983 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 41 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 22 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 67 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 69 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 44 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 41 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 15 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 316 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 179 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 18 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 65 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (9)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Shore Stop 254 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 16 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | LEWES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $2,551,618,656 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 10,749.18 (vs Delaware $6,933) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 237,378 people (vs Delaware 13,439) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 51.8% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 4.5% |
| Pct Walked | 40.2% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 67.2 years (vs Delaware 37.0y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 63.1% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 4 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12