Bethany Beach, DE
Full City Profile · Delaware · Sussex County County
3.6
/5.0
B+
Good
923
Population
803/sq mi density
$105,833
Median Income
$88,553 per capita
$648,500
Home Value
$934,339 Zillow
$1,688
Median Rent
16.3% income on rent
56°F
Avg Temperature
640
Violent Crime/100K
9,241 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$105,833 median income, 1.8% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$648,500 home value, $1,688/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
640 violent crimes/100K (69% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
64.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Bethany Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches. The area receives 10.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 803/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5376°N, 75.0643°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Sussex County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 81.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0463 ppm |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.20 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.6 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 94.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | - | - | 141 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 in |
Bethany Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (3.0").