Here Are 10 of the Most Charming Small Towns in Delaware

With only three cities in the state with more than 30,000 residents, and only one city that most out-of-staters would consider anything like a "real" city, Delaware is dotted with small towns boasting populations smaller than the student bodies of some high schools in surrounding states. Each one of Delaware’s 57 municipalities has nuggets of small-town charm! Here are 10 of the best small towns in Delaware, each with a population of fewer than 5000 people, which is particularly alluring. If you're looking for the best small towns in Delaware, this list is a great place to start your search.

1. Clayton

Clayton is a tiny, one-traffic-light town with all of the essentials: a coffee shop, a pizza place, several churches, a school, a post office, a police and fire department, and a tractor dealership. This little gem is nestled alongside the larger town of Smyrna, which together co-host an annual 4th of July parade that brings out the small town pride of this little town and its larger next-door neighbor.

2. Bowers Beach

Bowers Beach is a quiet fishing village with the town motto "The Way Life Used to Be." Bowers was and still is home to many commercial and recreational fishing boats. In the warmer months, grab a bite of the day’s fresh catch at JP’s on the Wharf after taking a stroll along the quiet stretch of bay beach. Many consider this the most scenic town in Delaware.

3. Odessa

Many history buffs will tell you that Odessa is one of the best small towns in Delaware! This is one tiny town whose main landmarks have not changed much in the past 200 years. Most of the town is part of the historic district, with homes and gardens that date back to the 1700s and 1800s. Around the holidays, the Historic Odessa Foundation hosts holiday home tours that draw in visitors from all over the state.

4. Milton

Situated on the banks of the Broadkill River, Milton has a little something for everyone. With nearly 200 places on the federal historic register, it has some of the most classic Victorian architecture found in the state. It’s also home to the famous Dogfish Head Brewing Company, and all year long visitors stop in to try their craft brews. Surrounded by nature and a mere seven miles from the Delaware Bay, it’s also popular with environmentally minded tourists.

5. Arden

Arden is known in the state for its unique architecture and artsy community. The Arden Club is a popular place for live concerts and theater productions. Don’t miss the Arden Faire annually each September for a full celebration of the village’s arts and crafts culture. Arden is one of the safest places to live in Delaware, and this utopian community is truly one-of-a-kind.

6. Selbyville

The little town of Selbyville has a population of fewer than 2,500 residents. The town sits on the southern border of Delaware and Maryland, offering a way to be close to the beach without dealing with tourists all summer long. Each June, the town celebrates "Old Timers Day and Car Show," transporting this classic southern town backward in time with cars, tractors, and fire trucks from 1985 and earlier. If you're looking for easy beach access and a quiet community, you might consider Selbyville one of the best small towns in Delaware.

7. Bridgeville

"If you lived here, you’d be home now." That’s the saying on the sign that welcomes you into town along Delaware Highway Route 13. Celebrate Bridgeville’s deep roots in agriculture with the annual Apple Scrapple Festival, or try for a hole-in-one at the beautifully manicured Heritage Shores Golf Course.

8. Wyoming

Wyoming owes its existence to the neighboring, slightly larger town of Camden, which would not allow the Pennsylvania Railroad to build close to its neighborhoods. The Railroad routed around Camden and established a station just "over the tracks" in what is now Wyoming. Wyoming pays homage to its status as a peach-producing town with an annual peach festival each August. Most Delawareans consider Camden-Wyoming to be one place, but each town is full of community pride.

9. Delaware City

You can assume that in Delaware, we use the term ‘city’ lightly, and thus the population of fewer than 2,000 should come as no surprise. Delaware City calls itself a "quaint riverfront community,' and that it is. Located along the Delaware River, the town revolves around its proximity to beautiful marshes and the nearby Fort Delaware, accessible by ferry from the town. Boutique shops and small eateries line the main drag.

10. Laurel

Located along the banks of Broad Creek, Laurel began as a Nanticoke Indian settlement before it grew into a grain and lumber center for southern Delaware. Now, in efforts to both expand the downtown area and take full advantage of the waterfront, Laurel is quickly becoming a place to be. Many people consider Laurel the most scenic town in Delaware, and you'll be surprised by how completely surrounded it is by natural beauty.

Naming the best small towns in Delaware depends on whether you love farmland, the beach, or close access to the cities of the Northeast. One thing is for sure: if you travel around Delaware in any town, city, or village, you'll find a small-town feel everywhere you go.