Bethany Beach, Delaware Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 10, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Bethany Beach, Delaware is a small coastal town located on the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County. It is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant boardwalk, and charming downtown area. With a population of just over 1,000 people, Bethany Beach offers a unique and relaxing atmosphere.

The beach itself is one of the highlights of Bethany Beach. The wide sandy shoreline stretches for miles and provides visitors with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the sun and surf. Visitors can also take advantage of the many amenities offered at the beach such as beach volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, and showers. The boardwalk is a great spot for taking a stroll or riding bikes along its two-mile length that passes by restaurants and shops offering souvenirs and snacks.

The downtown area of Bethany Beach has plenty to offer visitors as well. With its quaint shops, restaurants, galleries, and more there is something for everyone to enjoy here. During the summer months there are also a variety of events such as concerts in the park which often feature local musicians playing everything from jazz to rock music. Visitors can also find plenty of activities such as mini-golf courses or even go-kart tracks around town to enjoy with friends or family members.

One thing that makes Bethany Beach stand out from other towns on the east coast is its commitment to environmental stewardship. The town has adopted several green initiatives such as using solar energy for street lighting instead of traditional electricity sources which helps reduce their carbon footprint significantly each year. Additionally they have implemented several conservation efforts such as creating dune habitat protection zones that help protect local wildlife species while allowing visitors access to secluded beaches far away from crowds during peak season times

Bethany Beach is an ideal destination for anyone looking for some peace and relaxation along with plenty of activities to keep them busy during their stay here in Delaware’s sunny shores! Whether you’re looking for a day at the beach or an evening stroll through town you’ll be sure to make memories that will last long after your visit ends.

Bethany Beach is located at 145km south of Wilmington. Its name and origins date back to the 19th century, when it was chosen as a site for religious gatherings. Nowadays it’s primarily a low-key, family-type resort with few motels or entertainment complexes. Visitors like the town’s mile-long boardwalk, which is relatively free of commercial enterprises, and its wide and sandy beach, which is a first-rate stretch of shore for swimming, sunning, boating, fishing and crabbing.

Population: 903. Estimated population in July 2024: 943 (+4.4% change)
Males: 426 (47.2%), Females: 477 (52.8%)

Sussex County

Zip code: 19930

Demographics

Median resident age: 58.9 years
Median household income: $51,875
Median house value: $183,400

Population by Race

Races in Bethany Beach:

White Non-Hispanic (97.0%)
Hispanic (1.3%)
Two or more races (1.0%)
American Indian (0.9%)
Black (0.8%)

Ancestries: Irish (27.2%), German (19.2%), English (16.6%), Italian (8.3%), United States (6.0%), Scottish (5.1%).

Elevation: 10 feet

Land area: 1.2 square miles

Map of Bethany Beach, DE

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Bethany Beach

High school or higher: 96.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 15.7%
Unemployed: 4.7%
Mean travel time to work: 27.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Bethany Beach town

Never married: 18.8%
Now married: 60.1%
Separated: 0.7%
Widowed: 10.7%
Divorced: 9.7%

4.0% Foreign born (2.4% Europe, 0.6% Asia, 0.6% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +588 (+186.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Bethany Beach:

BEEBE MEDICAL CENTER (about 16 miles; LEWES, DE)
ATLANTIC GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; BERLIN, MD)
NANTICOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INC (about 39 miles; SEAFORD, DE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Bethany Beach:

SALISBURY-OCEAN CITY WICOMICO REGIONAL (about 34 miles; SALISBURY, MD; Abbreviation: SBY)
DOVER AFB (about 48 miles; DOVER, DE; Abbreviation: DOV)
ATLANTIC CITY INTERNATIONAL (about 72 miles; ATLANTIC CITY, NJ; Abbreviation: ACY)

Other public-use airports nearest to Bethany Beach:

OCEAN CITY MUNI (about 17 miles; OCEAN CITY, MD; Abbreviation: OXB)
SUSSEX COUNTY (about 23 miles; GEORGETOWN, DE; Abbreviation: GED)
CAPE MAY COUNTY (about 34 miles; WILDWOOD, NJ; Abbreviation: WWD)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Bethany Beach:

DELAWARE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE-OWENS (about 25 miles; GEORGETOWN, DE; Full-time enrollment: 2,053)
SALISBURY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 40 miles; SALISBURY, MD; Full-time enrollment: 5,645)
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND-EASTERN SHORE (about 50 miles; PRINCESS ANNE, MD; Full-time enrollment: 2,940)
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 53 miles; Dover, DE; Full-time enrollment: 2,641)
ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 68 miles; MAYS LANDING, NJ; Full-time enrollment: 3,086)
THE RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY (about 74 miles; POMONA, NJ; Full-time enrollment: 5,526)
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE (about 80 miles; NEWARK, DE; Full-time enrollment: 17,786)

Libraries

Library in Bethany Beach:

SOUTH COASTAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $328,331; Location: 43 KENT AVENUE; 31,825 books; 1,282 audio materials; 1,437 video materials; 184 serial subscriptions)