The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 19956 sells for about $320,000, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,041 a month.
ZIP 19956 — Laurel
The 19956 housing market is characterized by moderate price appreciation and a limited inventory of 73 active listings. While the area offers affordability compared to northern Delaware, the market remains sensitive to maintenance costs and regional economic factors, leading to a cautious outlook for investors.
This ZIP is best suited for local families and budget-conscious buyers who prioritize affordability over proximity to major urban employment centers, as well as experienced investors familiar with the local rental climate.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.2% · poverty 15.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 19956, Sussex County, Delaware
Crime rates in Laurel are generally higher than the Delaware state average, with property crime being the most frequently reported incident type.
Schools in the Laurel School District generally face challenges with performance metrics compared to the state average, often receiving lower ratings on standardized assessments.
The area is subject to flood risks due to its proximity to the Nanticoke River and low-lying coastal plain geography, necessitating flood insurance for many properties.
Economic momentum is driven by regional agriculture, poultry processing, and small-scale commercial development, with limited large-scale industrial expansion.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Delaware) — Agricultural Lands Preservation and Farmland Assessment Act Exemption: Qualifying land is valued based on its agricultural use productivity capability rather than fair market value, substantially reducing the taxable assessed baseline. State (Delaware) — Senior School Property Tax Credit and Elderly/Disability Exemption Framework: Provides a partial credit/exemption against property taxes. Under the Senior School Property Tax Credit (14 Del. C. § 1919), qualifying seniors receive a tax credit up to 50% of the school property tax up to a statutory dollar cap (e.g., $500 max). At the county level (e.g. State (Delaware) — County Assessment Ratio and Ad Valorem Property Taxation Structure: Delaware levies property taxes at county, municipal, and school district levels (the state itself levies no state-level property tax).
Commuting primarily involves personal vehicle travel via U.S. Route 13, with limited public transit options for reaching major employment hubs in northern Delaware or Maryland.
The area features access to the Nanticoke River for boating and fishing, along with local community parks and proximity to regional wildlife management areas.
The rental market shows a durable 35% renter share with steady demand, though investors should account for higher maintenance and turnover friction in this submarket.
The local economy is anchored by the agricultural sector, particularly poultry production, alongside retail and service-oriented businesses.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with U.S. Route 13 serving as the primary north-south corridor.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and modest commercial expansion within the town limits.
Sussex County utilizes a periodic assessment system to determine property values for tax purposes.
Parcels are subject to Laurel School District taxes and various municipal utility assessments.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by flood zone designations and the regional risk profile for coastal storms.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Altitude Trampoline Park - Delmar4.48.2 mi
- CoCo's Funhouse4.713.8 mi
- Trap Pond State Park4.74.7 mi
- Sports at the Beach3.614.2 mi
- Arthur W Perdue Stadium4.613.5 mi
- Heritage Shores4.410.8 mi
- Brew River Seafood House and Dock Bar4.114.2 mi
- Regal Salisbury4.311.6 mi
- Altitude Trampoline Park - Delmar4.48.2 mi
- Bryan's Bowling Center4.51.5 mi
- Phillips Landing Park4.66.5 mi
- Leonards Mill Park4.59.8 mi
- Nanticoke Indian Museum4.719.1 mi
- Trap Pond State Park4.74.7 mi
- Phillips Landing Park4.66.5 mi
- Leonards Mill Park4.59.8 mi
- Baldcypress Nature Center4.74.7 mi
- Roger C. Fisher Laurel River Park4.41.5 mi
- Plantation Lakes Golf & Country Club4.512.9 mi
- Hooper's Landing Golf Course4.36.8 mi
- The Centre At Salisbury4.111.5 mi
- Boscov's4.511.4 mi
- Marshalls4.310.5 mi
- Kohl's4.310 mi
- Ross Dress for Less4.110.5 mi
- Salisbury Regional Airport4.315.8 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides recreational boating, fishing, and scenic views.
Nearby state park offering camping, hiking, and water activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.