Lewes is an incorporated city in Sussex County, Delaware, United States of the Delmarva Peninsula. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,116. It is part of the Seaford, Delaware Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Lewes was the site of the first European settlement in Delaware, a whaling and trading post named Zwaanendael (Swan Valley) founded by Dutch settlers in June 3 1631. Because Lewes was the earliest town founded in the state, and because Delaware was the first state to ratify the constitution, the town refers to itself as "The first town in the first state."

Lewes, together with the towns of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island, comprises Delaware's beach resort area and is Sussex County's most densely-populated and fastest-growing area.

Geography

Lewes is located at (38.775939, -75.142101).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), of which, 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (14.69%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,932 people, 1,338 households, and 797 families residing in the city. The population density was 801.5 people per square mile (309.3/km²). There were 2,368 housing units at an average density of 647.3/sq mi (249.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.31% White, 9.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

There were 1,338 households out of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.53.

In the city the population was spread out with 13.6% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 33.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 78.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,707, and the median income for a family was $59,605. Males had a median income of $35,500 versus $35,227 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,685. About 3.4% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Features

Lewes is the southern terminus of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.

Lewes is adjacent to Cape Henlopen State Park and is close to the outlet malls of Rehoboth Beach. Lewes is served by a branch of the Delaware Coast Line Railway that originates in Georgetown.

It serves as a vacation and resort spot popular with residents of northern Delaware, particularly New Castle County. Even though the city technically sits on the lower reach of the Delaware Bay, it is nonetheless considered an ocean resort, particularly as the ocean is only as far away as Cape Henlopen.

In addition to being a tourist destination, Lewes is also close to several outlet malls.

The town is also the home of the Zwaanendael Museum, which features exhibits about Delaware's history.

Second Street is the town's main street and has many shops, restaurants, and historical venues.

Fisherman's Wharf is a dock that stretches along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. It features multiple restaurants, bait shops, and the dock(in season) has hundreds of boats to look at from all over.

Also, the lightship Overfalls (LV-118-WAL-539) is moored here. It is owned by the Overfalls Maritime Museam Foundation (or OMMF).

References

External links

• Official Website of the City of Lewes
• Lewes, DE Information
• Cape May-Lewes Ferry
• The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation & Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel.
• HNSA Ship Page: Lightship Overfalls in Lewes, Delaware
• Video of manually operated railroad swing bridge over the Lewes & Rehoboth Canal, Lewes