Question 1

Is Seaford a town, a city or a census-designated place?

Accepted Answer

Seaford is an incorporated municipality, not a census-designated place. The U.S. Census Bureau lists it as Seaford city, Delaware, and Sussex County lists it among its cities and towns.

Question 2

What was the population of Seaford in the 2020 Census?

Accepted Answer

The 2020 Census counted 7,957 residents in Seaford (U.S. Census Bureau).

Question 3

Who issues building permits in Seaford?

Accepted Answer

Sussex County issues building permits countywide, including inside municipalities, per the county building permits page. Check with the town as well for any town requirements.

Question 4

When was Seaford incorporated?

Accepted Answer

Seaford received its charter and was incorporated April 6, 1865.

Question 5

Why was Seaford called the Nylon Capital of the World?

Accepted Answer

In 1939 DuPont chose Seaford for the world's first nylon plant, earning the town the nickname "Nylon Capital of the World."

Question 6

What is the earliest recorded settlement near Seaford?

Accepted Answer

"Martin's Hundred," a 1,750-acre tract between the Nanticoke River and Herring Creek, was granted to Jeremiah Jadwin of Virginia on January 22, 1672. The area was part of Dorchester County, Maryland until Mason and Dixon set the boundary in 1763.

Question 7

How did poultry change Seaford?

Accepted Answer

After new housing and feeding methods arrived in 1925, the poultry industry grew, and Sussex County became the largest chicken-producing area in the world.

Question 8

Who designed Seaford's city seal?

Accepted Answer

Seaford police patrolman Gary R. Blake designed the seal in 1961. In 2003 the council added the year 1865 and corrected "Capitol" to "Capital."

Question 9

When is the Seaford Christmas parade?

Accepted Answer

The parade steps off at 7 p.m. on a Saturday in early December. In 2025 it was Saturday, December 6, themed Candyland Christmas, with no rain date. The city site lists a 2026 parade but showed no date.

Question 10

Does Seaford have its own code?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The city site publishes a City Code and City Charter page, plus a Board of Adjustments for variances.

Question 11

Who provides electric in Seaford?

Accepted Answer

The City of Seaford. Its electric department serves about 5,211 customers inside city limits and buys power through the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC).

Question 12

Who handles water and sewer in Seaford?

Accepted Answer

City departments. Public Works maintains the water supply and 36.8 miles of streets, and the city Waste Water department runs a 2.0 MGD treatment plant. The city site does not say who collects trash; it lists clean-up week and leaves-and-limbs service.

Question 13

Does Seaford charge a transfer tax?

Accepted Answer

Sussex County's first-time homebuyer page lists a Seaford transfer tax of ".75% (seller's portion)" effective 1/8/2018. The city site does not state a property tax rate on its home page.

Question 14

Who did Seaford Council honor in August 2026?

Accepted Answer

On August 25, 2026 Council honored Seaford Volunteer Fire Department members for their response to a March 21, 2026 residential structure fire.

Question 15

Is Seaford in a flood zone?

Accepted Answer

Part of Seaford may sit in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and the answer depends on the address, so we do not give a town-wide yes or no. The USGS elevation at the town's Census center point is about 31 feet. Look up a specific property in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the DNREC Delaware Flood Planning Tool.

Question 16

Is Seaford in a hurricane evacuation zone?

Accepted Answer

Delaware labels hurricane evacuation zones A, B, C and D, and describes them as low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. The state page does not list communities by zone, so we cannot say which zone Seaford or a given address falls in. Use the Know Your Zone lookup tool or interactive map to check an address.

Question 17

What body of water is Seaford on?

Accepted Answer

Seaford developed around 1800 as a village at the head of navigation on the Nanticoke River, near Herring Creek, per the Delaware Public Archives.

Question 18

How big is Seaford and how high above sea level is it?

Accepted Answer

The 2020 Census Gazetteer lists Seaford at 5.092 square miles of land and 0.069 square miles of water. Elevation at the Census center point is about 31 feet above sea level (USGS 3DEP), and ground height varies across town.

Question 19

Which National Weather Service forecast zone covers Seaford?

Accepted Answer

The National Weather Service (Mount Holly office) places Seaford in forecast zone DEZ003, Inland Sussex, Delaware. This was read from the NWS point forecast page for the town's Census center point.

Application type	Items
Minor subdivision	17
Conditional use	7
Site plan	7
Variance	7
Special use exception	5
Variance / special use exception	fewer than 5
Major subdivision	fewer than 5
Change of zone	fewer than 5
Type not stated	fewer than 5
Total	50

Seaford civic guide

October 13, 2026

Mayor & Council Meeting (recording only)

Newest posted minutes

unknown

Quoted from minutes

Questions about this town

Town basics