About Sussex County

Sussex County, Del., the birthplace of the broiler chicken industry, is Delaware’s largest county, spanning 938 square miles. Delaware history begins with Sussex County, as the Town of Lewes was founded as a Dutch whaling colony in 1631. That first European settlement gives Lewes the distinction of being the First Town in the First State and makes Sussex County the birthplace of what would become present-day Delaware.

The county is diverse in both its riches and its lifestyles. It is home to numerous seaside resorts, small towns, industry, and agriculture. Along the beach, tourism is strong and wealthy communities exist. Western Sussex County, meantime, is the backbone of Delaware's agriculture industry with more acres of arable land under cultivation than anywhere else in the state.