The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 19958 sells for about $582,327, or $208 per square foot.
Prices are down 2% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 80 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,555 a month.
ZIP 19958 — Lewes
The Lewes housing market is experiencing a period of price stabilization following years of rapid growth, with inventory levels remaining relatively tight. While year-over-year prices show slight fluctuations, demand remains supported by the area's appeal to retirees and second-home buyers. Buyers are seeing slightly more negotiation room as days on market have increased compared to previous years.
This ZIP is ideal for retirees, second-home buyers, and families seeking a coastal lifestyle, though it remains challenging for entry-level buyers due to price appreciation.
Median prices moved down 2.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 80 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
20% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 6.0% — 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 6.2%/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 4.6%/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 19958, Sussex County, Delaware
The area is served by the Cape Henlopen School District, which generally maintains a positive reputation within the region.
The region faces significant coastal flood and storm surge risks due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, impacting insurance premiums.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, healthcare, and a growing retiree population, with ongoing residential development in the surrounding Sussex County area.
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 is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to local employment hubs in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, or further north toward Dover and Wilmington.
The area features extensive access to Cape Henlopen State Park, coastal beaches, local golf courses, and shopping districts in downtown Lewes.
The rental market is heavily influenced by seasonal tourism and a high demand for long-term housing, leading to tight vacancy rates.
The economy is anchored by tourism, healthcare services, and the retail sector, with significant seasonal fluctuations.
Transportation is dominated by private vehicle use, with limited public transit options primarily serving local routes.
Ongoing residential development continues to expand the housing stock, particularly in master-planned communities.
Sussex County utilizes a periodic assessment system for property tax valuation.
Parcels are subject to school district taxes and local municipal levies where applicable.
Property insurance costs are elevated due to the area's high exposure to coastal storm and flood risks.
Delaware continues to see net positive domestic migration, particularly from neighboring states in the Northeast.
Delaware is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a comprehensive property condition disclosure statement to buyers.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for ZCTA 19958.
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.
- Funland4.66.4 mi
- Jungle Jim's4.55.4 mi
- Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park4.41.3 mi
- White Water Mountain4.22.8 mi
- Cape Henlopen State Park4.84.2 mi
- Willow Creek Winery & Farm4.417.8 mi
- Schellville Village4.64.8 mi
- Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club4.416.2 mi
- Lucky Bones Backwater Grille4.519.4 mi
- Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk4.76.4 mi
- Cape Henlopen State Park4.84.2 mi
- Savannah Beach4.72.8 mi
- Delaware Seashore State Park4.611.9 mi
- Jungle Jim's4.55.4 mi
- Cape May Lighthouse4.716.5 mi
- Sunset Beach Gifts4.816.8 mi
- West End Garage4.517.8 mi
- Emlen Physick Estate4.518.7 mi
- The Brush Factory on Kings4.61.7 mi
- Cape Henlopen State Park4.84.2 mi
- Savannah Beach4.72.8 mi
- Delaware Seashore State Park4.611.9 mi
- Sports at the Beach3.610.4 mi
- Gordons Pond4.85.4 mi
- South Jersey Marina4.719.3 mi
- Indian River Marina4.711.9 mi
- Lewes Yacht Club4.62 mi
- West Bay4.67.3 mi
- Utsch's Marina4.719.5 mi
- The Rookery Golf Course4.35.7 mi
- Baywood Greens Golf Course and Clubhouse4.78.3 mi
- Kings Creek Country Club4.74.9 mi
- Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club4.612.7 mi
- American Classic Golf Club4.42.5 mi
- Tanger Rehoboth Beach - Seaside4.44.6 mi
- Tanger Rehoboth Beach - Surfside4.52.9 mi
- The Fresh Market4.35.2 mi
- Marshalls4.32.7 mi
- Outlets Delaware4.52.9 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Major coastal park with beaches, trails, and historic sites.
Historic downtown area with local boutiques and restaurants.
Popular for boating and scenic views.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.