TheDelaware Beaches are located along theAtlantic Ocean in the eastern part ofSussex County, Delaware, which is in the southern part of the state.[1] In addition tobeaches along the ocean, the area offers many amenities, includingrestaurants,nightlife,fishing,golf courses,boardwalk areas, andtax-free shopping.[1][2] The beaches are popular tourist destinations for residents from the nearby areas ofWashington, D.C.,Baltimore,Wilmington,Philadelphia,South Jersey, andHampton Roads.[2] Out of the 30 states with coastline, the Delaware Beaches ranked number 1 in water quality in 2011[3] and again in 2014.[4]
 |
Beaches in Delaware from north to south:
_at_Fenwick_Avenue_just_south_of_Fenwick_Island_in_Sussex_County%2c_Delaware.jpg)
In 2003, theDelaware Senate passed a bill for the coastal area of Delaware to be referred to as the "Delaware Beaches", as Delaware residents refer to their coastline as the "beach" and not the "shore" like theJersey Shore inNew Jersey. The bill called forDelDOT to change signage directing motorists to the beaches from "Shore Points" to "Beaches".[5]
The Delaware Beaches area, particularly theCape Region, tend to be moreaffluent and populous than western portions ofSussex County. The combined population of all of the ZIP codes in the Delaware Beaches area is about 43,851 (2009). The median household income in 2009 was $77,030.
According to SeaGrant Delaware, the Delaware Beaches generate $6.9 billion annually and over $711 million in tax revenue.[6]
38°35′20″N75°03′43″W / 38.589°N 75.062°W /38.589; -75.062
