Blades, DE
Full City Profile · Delaware · Sussex County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
1,055
Population
1,918/sq mi density
$62,596
Median Income
$24,240 per capita
$209,600
Home Value
$235,372 Zillow
$839
Median Rent
27.8% income on rent
58°F
Avg Temperature
823
Violent Crime/100K
1,946 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$62,596 median income, 6.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$209,600 home value, $839/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
823 violent crimes/100K (117% above avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Blades enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.9 inches. The area receives 12.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.6°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 21 ft (6 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,918/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6352°N, 75.6025°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Sussex County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 21 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 | - | - | 134 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in |
Blades has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 37°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.6").