Bethany Beach is an incorporated town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. As of the 2020 census, Bethany Beach had a population of 954. However, during the summer months some 15,000 more populate the town as vacationers. It is part of the Salisbury, MD-DE Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island are popularly known as "The Quiet Resorts". Contributing to Bethany Beach's reputation as a "quiet" place is the presence of Delaware Seashore State Park immediately to the north of the town. Despite its small size, Bethany Beach contains the usual attractions of a summer seaside resort, including the short Joseph Olson Boardwalk, a broad, sandy beach, mo…

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code19930

Area code302

Living in Bethany Beach

Housing in Bethany Beach

$934K▲ 5.1% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Bethany Beach home is worth about $934,000, up 5.1% in a year, 130% above the Delaware typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Bethany Beach

D⁻

Safety Grade D-

Bethany Beach reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 99% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Bethany Beach 7.2

Delaware 3.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Bethany Beach 59.1

Delaware 15.8

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Bethany Beach

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Bethany Beach for work: only 10% work in town. The top destinations are Dover (5%), Wilmington (3%) and Ocean View (2%). Half commute less than 31 miles.

Dover

Wilmington

Ocean View

Salisbury, MD

10%Work in townlive and work in Bethany Beach 31 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 931Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Bethany Beach →

Health in Bethany Beach

Compared with Delaware

23better than DE·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 4 are too close to call.

Conditions 4▲ 5▼ 3 close Habits 4▲ 0 close Care 7▲ 0 close Mind 4▲ 1 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

3.1%Fewer adults facing housing insecurityDE 11.6% · better 2.1%Fewer adults facing a utility shut-offDE 7.4% · better 17.8%More adults who have had cancerDE 9.1% · worse

Care nearby

Atlantic General HospitalBerlin · 15.9 mi · ER

Chc - Berlin 10344Berlin · 15.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Bethany Beach · CMS · HRSAHealth in Bethany Beach →

Natural hazards in Bethany Beach

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 48% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌀 Hurricanes

397Does Bethany Beach flood?paid flood claims since 1980 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Bethany Beach

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Bethany Beach →

Climate in Bethany Beach

Full climate →

Bethany Beach has mild winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 86°, a January night drops to 30°, and about 11 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

47° / 31°Winter

62° / 45°Spring

84° / 67°Summer

68° / 51°Fall