Living in Long Neck DE 🏘 | What to Know Before Moving to Long Neck

It won't take long for you to enjoy living in Long Neck DE! The Nanticoke people lived in the Long Neck area for thousands of years before Dutch settlers arrived in the 1670s. They formed a plantation in Long Neck and used the land for farming and agriculture. Long Neck remained small, with very few people moving to Long Neck for hundreds of years.

In the 20th century, Long Neck became a summer destination, with most of the population staying temporarily during the summer. In the 1990s, developers arrived to build subdivisions and homes for sale, and people began moving to Long Neck permanently. Long Neck is now a nice place to live, with a family-friendly atmosphere, convenient access to the beaches, and safe streets. 

Long Neck is well known for its tight-knit community and scenic views close to the water. It's currently a census-designated community, not an incorporated city or town. The community gets its name from being located on a long neck, which is a peninsula-like strip of dry land.

You can start moving to Long Neck today, but you should get all the facts about living in Long Neck DE first. Here's what to know about this special Delaware community.

Where Is Long Neck?

Long Neck is in Sussex County, inside the Salisbury metropolitan area. Long Neck is not a suburb of any major city. It is 35.0 miles from Long Neck to Salisbury. Long Neck borders Millsboro and Lewes, and it's near notable Delaware beach towns like Rehoboth Beach.

Long Neck has a long coastline along the Indian River Bay, though the Indian River does not run through the community. The community contains a few small ponds and large undeveloped areas, including marshes not open to the public. Most residents live in compact subdivisions that are walkable and connected to neighboring communities with a few small roads. There are no major roads or highways in Long Neck.

DART First State runs one bus route through Long Neck. Route 215 is a bus route that stops in Long Neck and connects the community to Millsboro and Rehoboth Beach. There are no light rail services between Long Neck and any other community. Most people drive while living in Long Neck DE.

Long Neck Population and Demographics

According to the US Census, the Long Neck population was 3,017, up by 52.4% since 2010. Long Neck is the largest census-designated community in Sussex County, and it's one of the largest overall communities. The Long Neck population density is 1,093.5 people living in Long Neck DE per square mile.

Notable people living in Long Neck DE or the surrounding area include Linda Hamilton, Darnell Savage, and Paul Sarbanes. Long Neck demographics include:

• 40.0% male, 60.0% female
• Median age of people living in Long Neck DE: 65.2
• Racial and ethnic composition of residents living in Long Neck DE: 90.8% White (90.1% non-Hispanic), 4.2% two or more races, 3.1% Black or African American, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian
• Median household income of people living in Long Neck DE: $55,508 (roughly two-thirds of the state median)
• Educational attainment of residents living in Long Neck DE: 96.7% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 20.5% have a bachelor's degree
• Foreign-born population of people living in Long Neck DE: 3.2%

Long Neck is one of the most popular communities in Delaware among older people and retirees. 50.7% of people living in Long Neck DE are 65 years old and older, 2.5 times higher than the Delaware rate. The median household income for residents living in Long Neck DE is smaller than the state median because many residents are no longer working. The employment rate in Long Neck is just 49.2%. 

The per capita income in Long Neck is $46,948, which is higher than the state median, and the poverty rate is 5.6%, half the state median. 11.1% of the population living in Long Neck DE has veteran status, with nearly 200 Vietnam War veterans living in Long Neck DE.

Long Neck is a safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates:

• Overall crime rate: 1,154 crimes per 100,000 people living in Long Neck DE (49.0% lower than the state rate, 49.4% lower than the national rate)
• Violent crime rate: 194 offenses per 100,000 people living in Long Neck DE (48.9% lower than the Delaware rate, 46.7% lower than the national rate)
• Property crime rate: 960 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Long Neck DE (49.0% lower than the state rate, 49.9% lower than the national average)

The Millsboro Police Department provides law enforcement services for the Long Neck area. The department employs 18 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Long Neck.

Cost of Living in Long Neck

Long Neck is a small and unincorporated community, so you may have a hard time finding Long Neck cost of living statistics. You can use Sussex County Delaware cost of living statistics instead. The Sussex County cost of living index is 102.1, meaning items in the area cost 2.1% more than the national average. 

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $103,213 a year to cover the cost of living. Transportation is the largest expense, at $19,296 a year, because Sussex County is in a relatively remote area. If your commute is short, if you're working from home, or if you're retired, you can enjoy an affordable life in Long Neck. 

Even if you have a long commute, your cost of living will be relatively affordable compared to major cities, which have high inflation and housing costs.

Long Neck Delaware real estate is affordable. According to Redfin, the median price of Long Neck Delaware homes for sale is $204,000, and the median sale price per square foot is $115. Long Neck apartments are not on the market regularly, so finding the average cost of rent in Long Neck is difficult.

Typical Long Neck* Living Expenses

• 1 pound of local cheese: $5.99
• 1 pound of oranges: $0.93
• 1 pound of potatoes: $1.83
• 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.59
• Average Long Neck* utilities per month: $111.15
• 1 pair of jeans: $25.00

Source: Numbeo

*Typical expenses for Salisbury, Maryland

Long Neck Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Long Neck

Long Neck Delaware real estate caters to retirees and people looking for a condo or townhome. There are no formal neighborhoods or retirement communities in Long Neck, though there are HOAs and subdivisions. Pot Nets is the largest subdivision and HOA in Long Neck, with homes in neighboring cities like Ocean City and Rehoboth Bay. 

Homes in Pot Nets vary in features, prices, and amenities. You can find newly constructed homes for around $350,000 (excluding the homeowners association fee) with open floor plans and four bedrooms. You can also find older properties with large family rooms and decks for around $300,000.

Long Neck does not have any apartment complexes or homes for rent available on a regular basis. However, the relatively low cost of housing means most people moving to Long Neck can afford a home. If you're worried about the price of housing, you should look at mobile homes before living in Long Neck DE. Mobile homes cost less than $200,000 and they can have two or three bedrooms and 1,800 square feet, making them suitable for small families living in Long Neck DE.

Long Neck DE Weather and Climate

Long Neck has a humid subtropical climate, with warm and humid summers and cool winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of Long Neck DE weather, with an average temperature of 77 degrees and an average high of 84. Temperatures peak in mid-July and stay warm until mid-September. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 37 degrees and an average low of 30. Average lows are below freezing between late December and late February, though temperatures don't often drop to extreme lows.

Long Neck receives 38.7 inches of rain and 7.1 inches of snow on average per year. Each month has at least seven days of precipitation, and at least one-third of the days in each month are cloudy. As a waterfront community, Long Neck can experience hurricanes and tropical storms, leading to flooding, high winds, heavy rain, and power outages. You should follow hurricane safety tips and resources while living in Long Neck DE. The high rain in the summer also creates high humidity, which can make visiting tennis courts and other outdoor destinations difficult.

October is the best month to visit and start moving to Long Neck. It has 62% sunny days and an average temperature of 59 degrees, so you can stay comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt and pants. The tourism season is over in October, so you can visit seafood restaurants and other locations along Long Neck Road without waiting in lines.

Things to Do in Long Neck Delaware

You can find many interesting things to do in Long Neck Delaware, including top outdoor attractions and affordable stores! The Shoppes at Long Neck Boulevard is the top shopping center in Long Neck, containing stores like Leigh's Organix Luxury Candle. Top grocery stores near Long Neck include Harris Teeter and Giant Food.

Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club is the top boat club in Long Neck. Membership includes access to tritoon and pontoon boats, unlimited training from experienced captains living in Long Neck DE, and concierge-level service at private docks.

27451 Pinen Brine Road, Long Neck, DE, 19966, 302-644-5998

Baywood Greens

Baywood Greens is one of the top golf courses in Long Neck. It's a public golf course with 18 holes, nine of which are woodside and nine of which are waterside. You can also take classes with PGA professionals and trained teachers.

32267 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE, 19966

Peninsula Golf Course

The Peninsula Golf Course (also known as the Peninsula Golf and Country Club) is a 72-par, 18-hole championship golf course with scenic holes along the Indian River Bay and Lingo Creek. You can also enjoy access to a 2,500-square-foot fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and hiking trails near a protected nature preserve.

32981 Peninsula Esplanade, Millsboro, DE, 19966, 302-947-4760

Additional Things to Do in Long Neck DE

• Nanticoke Indian Museum
• First State Karate
• Poplar Thicket (also known as the Marian R. Okie Memorial Wildlife Preserve)

A few different organizations take care of parks and public spaces in Long Neck, including the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. The Sussex County government plans special events in Long Neck, and you can use the Sussex County events calendar to view upcoming events.

Long Neck Restaurants

Delaware cuisine is unique for its Southern and coastal influences, with special foods like scrapple and peach pie. You can eat a wide range of cuisines at Long Neck restaurants, including delicious seafood dishes at kid-friendly eateries.

Paradise Grill

Paradise Grill is a tiki-inspired seafood restaurant with seven full-service drink bars. You can order sandwiches, pizzas, and flatbread and enjoy fresh drinks while listening to live bands at three on-site stages.

27344 Bay Road, Millsboro, DE, 19966, 302-945-4500

Grotto Pizza

Grotto Pizza is a family-friendly pizzeria well known for its large menu, including stromboli, burgers, and Detroit-style pizza. Grotto Pizza is also home to an on-site sports bar with an outdoor fire pit, making it a nice place to visit during sports games and on weeknights.

26090 Shoppes at Long Neck Boulevard, Millsboro, DE, 19966, 302-945-6000

Bona Pizza

Bona Pizza is unique among pizzerias in the Long Neck area for combining Italian and Mediterranean influences. You can order gourmet pizzas with ricotta cheese, steak, eggplant, and other premium toppings for less than $20.

32612 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE, 19966, 302-947-9494

Jobs in Long Neck DE

According to DataUSA, 1,112 people have jobs in Long Neck DE, up by 95.8% since 2013. Retail trade is by far the single biggest sector for Long Neck jobs, accounting for 27.3% of jobs in Long Neck DE. Construction is the second-biggest job sector (13.5% of Long Neck jobs), and professional services is the third-biggest sector (11.3% of Long Neck jobs). Each of these three sectors has median earnings of over $55,000 a year.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary in Long Neck is $42,697 a year, while the average hourly rate is $20.53. Major employers in Long Neck include McDonald's, Dollar General, and Walgreens. You can find additional jobs in Long Neck DE using Indeed, and you can apply for Sussex County jobs on the county government's website after moving to Long Neck.

Long Neck Schools

The Indian River School District serves all students living in Long Neck DE. You can use the Delaware Department of Education school locator tool to see what schools your student living in Long Neck DE is zoned for. Long Neck Elementary School is the official elementary school for Long Neck, though it's just outside the community. US News ranks Long Neck Elementary School in the top 75 elementary schools in Delaware.

Students then attend Millsboro Middle School, which US News ranks in the top 50 middle schools in Delaware. Millsboro Middle School students then attend Sussex Central High School, which US News ranks in the top 30 high schools in Delaware. There are no private schools or colleges in Long Neck. The Millsboro Public Library serves all residents living in Long Neck DE.

Long Neck Statistics and Information

• County: Sussex County
• Long Neck area: 3.13 square miles
• Long Neck zip code: 19966
• Long Neck area code: 302
• Long Neck elevation: 13 feet
• Long Neck time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
• Closest airport to Long Neck: Salisbury Regional Airport (SBY), 34.7 miles from Long Neck

Long Neck Delaware Map

You can use this Long Neck Delaware map to find the best things to do, restaurants, and amenities in Long Neck, including education and hospital institutions!

Start Living in Long Neck DE

You can start living in Long Neck DE and enjoy so many wonderful things today! Young professionals will enjoy the great business opportunities, while retirees and families with children will enjoy the low crime rates and affordable homes.

You don't have to hold off on moving to Long Neck. First Rate Movers has the top Long Neck movers. Call 302 448 2372 for a free estimate now.