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METRO AREA

Dover Metro

Dover, DE · 1 counties · 194,786 residents (2025 est.) · 586.061 sq mi
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The short version

Dover has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $74,477. Population has grown 48% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $316,600. It sits in the top 10% of US metro areas for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
187,604
+48%since 2000
from 126,697 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
320 / sq mi
+48%since 2000
from 216 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.8
+13%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:194,786 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
103K126K149K172K195K1990201020202024Dover
2024188K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,477
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,950 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,191
+94%since 2000
from $18,662 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.7%
+19.3 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.6%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.408
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.406 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$316,600
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $103,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,354
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $573 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 70.0% in 2000
27.5% rent
Vacancy rate
6.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 29.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+69%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dover on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.1%(91,325)
Black20.3%(25,770)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(4,069)
Asian1.7%(2,104)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.8%(64,304)
Segregation Score0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic56.5%(106,078)
Black26.4%(49,530)
Hispanic / Latino8.1%(15,216)
Asian2.5%(4,680)
Other6.4%(12,100)
Diversity Score74.9%(140,520)
Segregation Score27.5%(51,594)
Diversity Score
75
+48%since 2000
from 51 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
28
+10%since 2020
from 25 in 2020
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.5%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.0%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.1%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.5 min
+65%since 2000
from 16.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.3%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
7.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.9%
−35.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.6%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 13.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.6%
−84.5 ptssince 2013
from 91.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.1%
+10.3 ptssince 2017
from 80.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
88.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 90.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 4.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
In this metro

Principal cities

DoverCENTRAL40,592
What's inside

1 component county

Kent CountyCENTRAL194,786
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Dover

Iowa City
Pop 182,711
Billings
Pop 193,603
Eau Claire
Pop 176,647
Racine
Pop 198,919
Places similar to Dover
Head to head

Compare Dover side by side

DOVER VS
Iowa City
Income$75,025+1%
Home value$295,418−7%
Population182,711−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DOVER VS
Billings
Income$77,183+4%
Home value$356,419+13%
Population193,603−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DOVER VS
Eau Claire
Income$74,597same
Home value$259,809−18%
Population176,647−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DOVER VS
Racine
Income$78,096+5%
Home value$251,400−21%
Population198,919+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Dover, DE?

Dover, DE has about 187,604 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dover, DE?

The typical household in Dover, DE earns about $74,477 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dover, DE expensive?

In Dover, DE, the median home is worth about $316,600, and the typical rent is about $1,354 a month.

How educated are people in Dover, DE?

About 27.5% of adults age 25 and over in Dover, DE hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dover, DE?

About 10.6% of people in Dover, DE live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dover, DE grown since 1990?

Yes, Dover, DE has grown since 1990. The population has added about 76,611 residents, a change of about 69 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Dover, DE: population, income & housing data · CensusEasy