Milton is a growing town known for beer, theater and beach access
Located on the Broadkill River about 15 miles from Rehoboth Beach, Milton is a growing Delaware town with a flourishing theater, highly rated schools and the headquarters of Dogfish Head Brewery. “Dogfish Head’s motto is ‘off-centered beer for off-centered people,’ and that describes us pretty well,” says Benjamin Steward, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Premier who’s lived in the area for around 15 years. “It has a good lifestyle in the sense that there's a theater that does 250 productions a year, and we've now got four or five good restaurants. And we’ve got the beach — Lewes and Rehoboth are nearby.”
Whether indoors or out, lunchtime at Dogfish Head Brewery is a popular destination for folks in Milton.
Rehoboth Beach in DE is a popular vacation destination for people all along the East Coast.
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Older homes in town, new developments on the outskirts
Milton’s oldest homes are in its town center, where colorful colonial, Queen Anne and Gothic Revival houses were built as early as the 1800s. These sit close together along sidewalk-lined streets and are surrounded by mature trees and flowering shrubs. There are also several townhouse communities here that were built in the 2000s and 2010s. “Delaware was a quiet little place until 2000, and then developers came in and started developing neighborhoods for people who are 55-plus and want to retire. As a result, things have really grown,” Steward says. Most newer developments are outside of town, where suburban-style subdivisions feature Craftsman-inspired new traditional homes. The median home sale price in Milton is around $510,000, higher than the national median of roughly $400,000. Some beachfront homes are available in the Broadkill Beach area; these can cost up to $2 million.
The gingerbread ornamentation of this Milton home gives it a distinctive, Queen Anne look and feel.
Some homes in Milton are new construction meant to resemble Colonial Revival but some colonial houses here are actually genuine.
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Kids are zoned for A-rated public schools
Kids can attend schools in the Cape Henlopen School District, which earns an A from Niche. Milton is zoned for two elementary schools: the A-minus-rated H.O. Brittingham Elementary and the A-rated Milton Elementary. Mariner Middle and Cape Henlopen High both earn an A-minus. High schoolers can enroll in arts-based career pathways like music and theater or take vocational courses in topics like robotics, accounting and agricultural science.
Cape Henlopen High School has 1,713 students in grades 9-12.
According to state test scores, 46% of H.O. Brittingham Elementary School students are at least proficient in math and 51% in reading.
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Restaurants, entertainment and shopping in Milton’s town center
Milton’s town center is the area’s commercial core. Dogfish Head’s Milton Brewery makes beers and canned cocktails that are shipped to all 50 states. The tasting room here has over 40 beverages on tap and serves pizza and sandwiches. The brewery also hosts regular live music and weekly events like trivia and bingo. Po’ Boys Creole Restaurant offers a taste of New Orleans in a casual atmosphere, and Zava Café serves locally sourced meals with an upscale vibe. The Milton Theatre entertains the community with plays, music and live music. The venue also hosts Milton Pride each June, a one-day event with food trucks, performances and vendors. The area around the theater has some locally owned stores, but most retailers are in the town’s north, such as Food Lion and Walgreens.
Many in Milton start their day with a caffeinated beverage from Zava Cafe.
The Milton Theatre, located in historic downtown Milton Delaware, has had an illustrious history in its more than 100 year existence.
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Rivers, ponds and beaches for water recreation
Milton Memorial Park in the town center has a playground, benches overlooking the Broadkill River and a boat ramp where kayakers can access the water. Wagamons Pond is known for its bass fishing, and it also has a boat launch. Kids can join Milton Little League and play games at baseball fields on the town’s north side. Just outside of town, the over 140-acre Edward H. McCabe Preserve has hiking trails through meadows and along the river. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge has over 10,000 acres of marshes with trails that are popular for birdwatching. Broadkill Beach is on Delaware Bay and has private and public beach access. Rehoboth Beach, which is on the Atlantic Ocean, is around 30 minutes away.
It’s not hard to find good surf fishing on Broadkill Beach not far from Milton.
A kayaker paddles out to try his luck with fishing on the Broadkill River in Milton Memorial Park.
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Many routes to surrounding towns
State Route 1, also called the Coastal Highway, and Broadkill Road are the area’s main thoroughfares. Georgetown, Lewes and Milford are all within 13 miles. Delaware’s DART bus system has routes to surrounding towns. Many of the area’s roads are bike friendly. Houses of worship include Goshen United Methodist Church and Eagle’s Nest Church. Bayhealth Hospital’s Sussex Campus is roughly 10 miles away. Salisbury Regional Airport, which has flights to Philadelphia and Charlotte, is a 39-mile trip.
The Goshen United Methodist Church provides services for many of Milton’s faithful.
DART provides reliable public transit to and from Milton.
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Flooding and hurricane risk near the coast
Homes east of the Coastal Highway are at risk for flooding, particularly from hurricane storm surge. Residents here might be required to evacuate during severe storms. To the west, homes near the Broadkill River and its tributaries are also at risk for flooding. “The town is 25 to 30 feet above sea level,” Steward says. “We’ve never had a hurricane in the 15 years I've been here.”
Written By
Annie Franklin
Photography Contributed By
Joe Pulcinella
Video By
David Strayer
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhonda Hitch,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Milton, DE sell after 126 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Milton, DE over the last 12 months is $515,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover the charm of this contemporary home, beautifully accented with stonework and an elegant storm door that frames the sleek black front door. Transom windows invite natural light into the foyer, where warm hardwood floors begin their flow through the main living spaces. A tray ceiling, arched doorways, and classic chair railing create an immediate sense of refinement. To the left, an
Explore 105 Equinox Drive, a new home in The Granary, our newest community in Milton, DE. The Bristol, a 1,748 square foot open concept ranch home, offers two bedrooms and a flex room, two bathrooms, a gas fireplace, 9’ ceilings, and a two-car garage. A welcoming foyer leads you to the spacious guest bedroom with a closet, the guest bathroom, and a linen closet. The inviting flex room is a
Every thoughtful detail shines in this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath Colonial style home located in Wagamons West Shores, just minutes from historic Milton and the Broadkill River. Built in 2006 and situated on a landscaped corner lot, this residence blends classic architecture with modern comforts and community appeal. The main level features hardwood and tile flooring, a two-story great room with a
With its classic architectural exterior and flexible layout, this popular ranch design offers up to six bedrooms and effortless single-level living. The well-appointed kitchen features generous storage and opens to a bright dining area and spacious great room with an optional fireplace, extension, and coffered ceiling. A covered porch can be added for outdoor living. The private owner’s suite
Discover this new design which offers farmhouse-Craftsman charm and a flexible, open layout. This design features a main-level owner’s suite, three upstairs bedrooms, and a convenient first-floor laundry off the two-car garage. The spacious great room flows into a large kitchen island and dining space perfect for entertaining with stainless steel appliances and walk-in pantry. Customize with an
NEW PRICE -Be Awed By This Custom Built Home Close to the Delaware Beaches and Downtown Milton! This Craftsman Style Home Features Over 3200 Sq Feet With Large First Floor Primary Bedroom, 9 Foot Ceilings, Hardwood Floors, and An Efficient Pellet Stove in the Great Room. The Chef's Kitchen Will Make Any Entertainer Envious With Its Custom Cabinets, Stainless Appliances, Large Granite Counters
OPENING FALL/WINTER 2023 New construction three bedroom single family homes in Milton Delaware featuring high-end amenities and upgraded finishes available for year-round rentals. Vincent Overlook is located off Rt 1 close to historic Lewes, hip eateries, entertainment, shopping, and prime employers in Sussex County. Each home at Vincent Overlook features two car garages, screened in porches,
OWNER PREFERS TO INCLUDE UTILITIES IN RENT AT $3050/MONTH BUT WILL DO $2650/MONTH AND TENANT PAYS UTILITIES. SECURITY DEPOSIT IS EQUAL TO ONE MONTH'S RENT. TENANT MUST HAVE RENTER'S INSURANCE
OPENING FALL 2021 New construction three bedroom single family homes in Milton Delaware featuring high-end amenities and upgraded finishes available for year-round rentals. Windstone is located off Rt 1 close to historic Lewes, hip eateries, entertainment, shopping, and prime employers in Sussex County. Each home at Windstone features two car garages, screened in porches, open floor plans,
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