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Seaford

Seaford

Located in Sussex County

$319,182 Average Value
$212 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 Homes For Sale

Seaford stays true to its industrial roots

On the banks of the Nanticoke River, Seaford was once a bustling company town, home to the Dupont Nylon Plant. The factory attracted thousands of workers from across southern Delaware and produced millions of stockings, carpets and other nylon-based goods between the 1930s and ‘70s. However, by the ‘80s, global competition caused mass layoffs, and downsizing continued when the plant was sold to Invista in 2004. Today, the town is slowly bouncing back from this economic slump by revitalizing former DuPont-owned properties, like the Nylon Capital Shopping Center and Hooper’s Landing Golf Course. It’s also become a vital Sussex County employment hub, with around 8,700 residents. “Most people move here because of the job opportunities,” says Julie Gritton, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Premier, who has sold several homes in the area. “There are three industrial parks, and [TidalHealth Nanticoke] hospital is one of the biggest employers in the county.”

It’s hard to escape the industrial nature of Seaford and the hands-on lifestyle embraced by those who live here.
It’s hard to escape the industrial nature of Seaford and the hands-on lifestyle embraced by those who live here.
The Market Street Bridge in Seaford shuttles both cars and pedestrians across the Nanticoke River.
The Market Street Bridge in Seaford shuttles both cars and pedestrians across the Nanticoke River.
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Some Seaford homes are in a flood zone

Seaford has a lot of ranch styles, Cape Cod cottages and Colonial Revival houses from the 1950s and ‘60s. New Traditional houses from the ‘80s and ‘90s and contemporary-style homes built within the last five years are also common. The median single-family home price here is $330,000, which is less than the national median. Seaford experiences all four seasons, with humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Severe rainstorms can cause the Nanticoke River to overflow, so homeowners near the waterway are required to have flood insurance.

According to FBI data, Seaford has consistently higher property and violent crime rates compared to national and state figures.

Most homes in Seaford are modest, single-family homes with lots of charms such as these Cape Cods on Robinson Circle.
Most homes in Seaford are modest, single-family homes with lots of charms such as these Cape Cods on Robinson Circle.
Some homes in Seaford are located close to the banks of the Nanticoke River which allows for boaters to have private docks but increases the risk of flooding.
Some homes in Seaford are located close to the banks of the Nanticoke River which allows for boaters to have private docks but increases the risk of flooding.
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Employers include industrial plants and TidalHealth Nanticoke

Seaford’s several industrial parks are home to distribution centers for companies like FedEx, Craig Technologies and Perdue AgriBusiness. TidalHealth Nanticoke is another major employer, providing around 1,200 jobs.

“If people don’t work in a warehouse or the hospital, they can easily commute to places like Dover and Salisbury in under an hour,” Gritton says. Dover is a 37-mile drive north on U.S. Route 13. A 21-mile drive south on the same highway leads to Salisbury, home of the Salisbury Regional Airport. Local traffic may stop at streets intersecting with the Delmarva Central Railroad and at drawbridges over the Nanticoke River. The Woodland Ferry can carry six cars to and from Bethel across the Nanticoke River. Delaware Authority Regional Transit buses in the area offer rides across Seaford and other Sussex County towns.

TidalHealth Nanticoke is a major healthcare provider for people in and around Seaford.
TidalHealth Nanticoke is a major healthcare provider for people in and around Seaford.
Many jobs in Seaford are located in its industrial parks, many of which are located on or close to the Nanticoke River.
Many jobs in Seaford are located in its industrial parks, many of which are located on or close to the Nanticoke River.
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A revitalized DuPont shopping center and quaint downtown district

The Nylon Capital Shopping Center was once Seaford’s primary commercial hub, but most of it was left shuttered when the DuPont plant sold. In 2024, Seaford and the state began funding a revitalization effort that will open a TidalHealth Clinic, a Delaware Technical Community College campus and more stores in the strip mall. The project is supposed to be complete by the summer of 2026, but the Sussex Plaza Shopping Center has big-box grocery stores and other chain retailers until then.

With just a few locally owned restaurants, a coffee shop and a museum about the town’s history, downtown Seaford is a quiet town center. “The only time there are people there is on the weekdays during lunch break. They’ve got a few good restaurants for such a small town,” Gritton says. The Ross Mansion and Plantation is another museum in town. The land and Italianate-style mansion once belonged to Delaware Governor William Henry Harrison Ross. It’s now open for guided tours and hosts the AFRAM Festival, which celebrates African American culture with live music, a pageant and a car show every August.

The Nylon Capital Shopping Center is under redevelopment and will be revived as a central feature of Seaford with its new Delaware Technical Community College campus and a medical clinic by 2026.
The Nylon Capital Shopping Center is under redevelopment and will be revived as a central feature of Seaford with its new Delaware Technical Community College campus and a medical clinic by 2026.
High Street is considered the downtown of Seaford but with it’s small-town feel, it never gets too busy.
High Street is considered the downtown of Seaford but with it’s small-town feel, it never gets too busy.
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Seaford has one middle school and one high school

Students here are served by the Seaford School District, which receives a C grade from Niche. The district educates around 3,400 students with a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio. It has four elementary schools, and every public school student attends Seaford Middle School and Seaford High School.

Seaford Senior High School has 879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1.
Seaford Senior High School has 879 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1.
Seaford Middle School has 828 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
Seaford Middle School has 828 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
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A public golf course and Nanticoke River recreation

Once a private golf course for DuPont employees, the 18-hole Hooper’s Landing Golf Course is now public, and the original clubhouse has become the Nanticoke Senior Center, offering workout classes and happy hours.

Benches and a floating dock for fishing and kayak launching line the 450-foot-long Nanticoke Riverwalk. The city received a $3 million grant to improve the walkway by making it longer and building a neighboring park, both of which are set to be completed by 2026.

The biggest park in Seaford is Jay’s Nest & Sports Complex, where a wooden playground sits adjacent to football fields, softball diamonds and soccer fields. The park is also home to the Seaford District Library, which hosts regular line dancing classes and story times. Several Delaware Bay beaches are less than 40 miles east, including Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach.

Hooper’s Landing Golf Course is open to the public and features and 18-hole course as well as a driving range.
Hooper’s Landing Golf Course is open to the public and features and 18-hole course as well as a driving range.
Whether walking, fishing, or bike riding, the Seaford Riverwalk at Seaford Riverwalk Park is a pleasant experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Whether walking, fishing, or bike riding, the Seaford Riverwalk at Seaford Riverwalk Park is a pleasant experience that shouldn’t be missed.
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Meghan Baker
Written By
Meghan Baker
Joe Pulcinella
Photography Contributed By
Joe Pulcinella
Matthew Bloch
Video By
Matthew Bloch

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Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Seaford Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$339,900
Median Sale Price
$339,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$339,990
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
107
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
37%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$212

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,093
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
1997
Months of Supply
2.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,890
On par with the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,498
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
950
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
24,393

Open Houses

  • 514 N Willey St, Seaford, DE 19973

    $347,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,900 Sq Ft
    • 514 N Willey St
    • New 21 days ago

    SEE MORE DETAILS AND SCHEDULE A SHOWING HERE → | Discover the charm of this 1943 cottage nestled on one of Seaford's most peaceful tree-lined streets. This captivating 3-bedroom, 2-bath home showcases original character at every turn-from gleaming hardwood floors to a cozy fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves and a delightful window bench that creates a perfect reading nook. The

    Agent Photo
    Jennifer Demarest
    The Parker Group Orbit LLC
    (302) 508-4488
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  • 3 Orchard Rd, Seaford, DE 19973

    $349,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,550 Sq Ft
    • 3 Orchard Rd
    • New 28 days ago

    SEE MORE & SCHEDULE A SELF-TOUR INSTANTLY → | Welcome to modern living at its finest in Seaford's vibrant Mearfield community. This pristine 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home, built in 2021, showcases contemporary design with an open-concept floor plan that flows effortlessly from the eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances to spacious living areas. Situated on a desirable corner lot with

    Agent Photo
    Jennifer Demarest
    The Parker Group Orbit LLC
    (302) 599-6418
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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    Open Sat 11AM - 1PM

    514 N Willey St, Seaford, DE 19973

    $339,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,900 Sq Ft
    • 514 N Willey St
    • New 20 days ago

    Discover the charm of this 1943 cottage nestled on one of Seaford's most peaceful tree-lined streets. This captivating 3-bedroom, 2-bath home showcases original character at every turn-from gleaming hardwood floors to a cozy fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves and a delightful window bench that creates a perfect reading nook. The thoughtfully designed layout includes a welcoming front porch

    Agent Photo
    Jennifer Demarest
    The Parker Group
    (302) 271-0268
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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Seaford Has Equal Renters and Owners

Demographics

Total Population
7,762
Median Age
38
Population under 18
28.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$57,189
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$73,375

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
83.3%
College Graduates
16.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
4''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

28 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

11 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Seaford