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CITY · 2020 ACS

Dover

Delaware · 39,403 residents · 23.817 sq mi
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The short version

Dover has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,500. Population has grown 23% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $182,100. At a median age of 32.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 21.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 30% less than the Delaware median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,403
+23%since 2000
from 32,135 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,654 / sq mi
+23%since 2000
from 1,349 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.8
Unchangedsince 2000
from 32.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
26K30K34K37K41K1990201020202024Dover
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,500
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,669 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,419
+36%since 2000
from $19,445 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.7%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.9%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$182,100
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $107,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,066
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $599 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
47.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 52.3% in 2000
53.0% rent
Afford Score
3.8
+35%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dover on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic53.3%(17,123)
Black36.6%(11,776)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(1,327)
Asian3.1%(1,001)
Other0%
Diversity Score69.3%(22,265)
2020
White, non-Hispanic38.2%(15,070)
Black42.6%(16,785)
Hispanic / Latino8.3%(3,276)
Asian3.3%(1,289)
Other7.2%(2,839)
Diversity Score82.1%(32,339)
Diversity Score
82
+18%since 2000
from 69 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 28.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.9%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 83.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+43%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 61.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.5%
−37.4 ptssince 2009
from 69.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
53.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
8.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.5%
−87.0 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Dover to nearby cities

DOVER VS
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Income$67,048+38%
Home value$291,400+60%
Population13,340−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DOVER VS
Milford
Income$59,464+23%
Home value$296,900+63%
Population14,723−64%
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DOVER VS
Middletown
Income$112,831+133%
Home value$409,600+125%
Population25,798−36%
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DOVER VS
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Income$55,781+15%
Home value$145,500−20%
Population28,307−30%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Dover, Delaware?

Dover, Delaware has about 39,403 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dover, Delaware?

The typical household in Dover, Delaware earns about $48,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dover, Delaware expensive?

In Dover, Delaware, the median home is worth about $182,100, and the typical rent is about $1,066 a month.

How educated are people in Dover, Delaware?

About 25.5% of adults age 25 and over in Dover, Delaware hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dover, Delaware?

About 21.9% of people in Dover, Delaware live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dover, Delaware grown since 1990?

Yes, Dover, Delaware has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,874 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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