Sussex County, DE Property Tax: $1,171/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Sussex County is 0.33% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $353,300, that works out to about $1,166 per year, or $97 per month. Sussex County is located in central Delaware, and is home to approximately 247,799 residents.
About Sussex County
Sussex County covers approximately 936.1 square miles in Delaware. The county is home to about 247,799 residents living in roughly 147,904 housing units, of which 56.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $78,162, and the median home was built in 1999.
Sussex County borders Kent County, Caroline County, Dorchester County, Wicomico County, Worcester County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Delaware
Property taxes in Delaware are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Delaware offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Sussex County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Sussex County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex County, DE | 0.33% | $353,300 | $1,166 |
| Delaware state average | 0.51% | — | $1,802* |
| Kent County | 0.46% | $290,600 | $1,331 |
| Caroline County | 0.92% | $272,400 | $2,513 |
| Dorchester County | 0.95% | $252,300 | $2,399 |
| Wicomico County | 0.89% | $238,900 | $2,120 |
| Worcester County | 0.76% | $348,100 | $2,629 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Sussex County's median home value of $353,300. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sussex County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Delaware?
At 0.33%, Sussex County is lower than the Delaware state average of 0.51%. On a home at the county median of $353,300, that means about $1,166 per year — versus $1,802 at the state average rate, a difference of $636 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Sussex County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Sussex County?
For a home at the county median value of $353,300, the annual property tax in Sussex County is approximately $1,166 — or about $97 per month. For a home worth $529,950, expect around $1,749 per year. For a $706,600 home, approximately $2,332 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Sussex County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Sussex County are handled by the Sussex County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Sussex County?
Delaware counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.33% shown here. Contact the Sussex County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File