The riverfront town of Frederica offers an easy-going lifestyle
Frederica is a small town with a quiet location along Murderkill River, whose name evolved from Dutch words meaning “mother river” when it was settled in the 1800s. “Non-locals get scared of Murderkill’s name, but people in Frederica would spend all day on the water if they could,” says Lydia Ragonese, a Realtor with Compass who has sold several homes in the area. Locals can launch paddleboats at Killens Pond State Park and head to nearby Bowers Beach on Delaware Bay. Aside from waterfront recreation, the town has a seasonal farmers market, historic churches and Delaware’s largest sports complex. “Life in Frederica is pretty easy-going and simple, but it’s also near bigger cities,” Ragonese says. State Route 1 is in the area, allowing locals to get to places like Milford, which has big-box stores, and Dover, the state capital.
Homes were built between the late 1800s and 2010s
Frederica’s oldest homes include Queen Annes and Colonial Revivals dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ranch styles from the mid-20th century and New Traditionals and townhouses built through the 2010s are also common. Homes near the center of town often have modest lots, while properties on the outskirts may sit on marshland or farmland. Prices can range from about $145,000 to around $385,000, depending on a house’s age, size and condition.
Murderkill River is a popular fishing and kayaking spot
Heavy rainfall and high tides can cause the Murderkill River to overflow, putting some properties in FEMA-designated, high-risk flood zones, where flood insurance is mandatory. In the fall of 2024, the river was polluted by a nearby human waste plant, causing it to smell and temporarily close. Today, water quality remains low, but people boat and fish on the river anyway. “Everybody moved on and got back to fishing and kayaking pretty quickly,” Ragonese says. Killens Pond State Park, about 6 miles west, is situated along a Murderkill River dam. Anglers can cast lines off the boardwalk to catch bass, crappie and sunfish. There’s also a campground, a waterpark and a paddleboat launch. Boaters can head east, passing through dense upland forests to reach the river’s mouth at Bowers Beach. Water gently laps against the sand and grass-covered shoreline, known for its quiet atmosphere. “Bowers is one of those local-only beaches,” Ragonese says. “You won’t find tourists there.” The beach is about 6 miles away by car, and there’s another boat launch on Coursey Pond, less than 5 miles west.
Two public school districts serve Frederica
The western half of Frederica is zoned for the Lake Forest School District. In this area, kids can attend Lake Forest East Elementary, which Niche grades a B-plus, and W.T. Chipman Middle and Lake Forest High, which earn B-minuses. The Milford School District serves the eastern part of the community. Here, students may go to C-plus-rated Benjamin Banneker Elementary for prekindergarten through first grade and B-minus-graded Mispillion Elementary for second through fourth grade. They may continue to fifth and sixth grade at Milford Middle, which is opening for the 2025-2026 school year and has yet to be graded by Niche. C-plus-rated Milford Central Academy is where kids can go to seventh and eighth grade before finishing at B-minus-graded Milford Senior High.
Soccer, lacrosse and field hockey teams play at DE Turf Sports Complex
Frederica is home to several non-riverfront green spaces. For example, the DE Turf Sports Complex has 12 fields, where youth and adult leagues play soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. “People from across the state visit the complex,” Ragonese says. “They actually had to build a hotel nearby to accommodate all the visitors.” The Frederica Senior Center regularly offers line dancing classes and bingo. Locals can buy produce, honey and bread at Tidal Market, which is held at the town park on Frederica Road every Sunday between May and September. Several houses of worship are here, including Trinity United Methodist Church and New Beginnings Community AME Church. The Georgian-style building that houses Barratt's Chapel & Museum is the country’s oldest Methodist church. Today, it has exhibits on Methodism and hosts guest speakers and a Christmas service.
Frederica has a burger restaurant, and big-box stores are nearby
A few government buildings and restaurants sit at the town’s core. Shipping containers fence in the outdoor dining section at Burgers & Brews, where patrons can play cornhole and listen to live music. The Frederica Volunteer Fire Company is across the street from the local police department. A few convenience stores and a Dollar General are in town, and Milford, about 8 miles south, is home to big-box grocery stores like Aldi and Walmart Supercenter.
State Route 1 reaches Dover
Though some streets here have sidewalks, Frederica is a car-dependent community. State Route 1 runs along the town’s eastern edge. A 13-mile drive north on the highway reaches Dover, home to an Air Force base and a Bayhealth Hospital. DART First State offers bus rides to the city and other Kent County towns. The Wilmington Airport is about 50 miles north, and the Salisbury Regional Airport is just as close to the south.
