Living in Dover, Delaware
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Dover · Census data 2020–2024
Dover has 39,837 residents with a median age of 34.7. The median household income is $60,199 (29% lower than the Delaware median), the median home value is $258,900, the median rent is $1,344/month.
Dover at a glance
- Population
- 39,837
- Median age
- 34.7State: 41.6
- Median household income
- $60,199State: $84,954
- Median home value
- $258,900State: $352,000
- Median rent
- $1,344/moState: $1,401
- Homeowners
- 46.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.7%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Dover a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the Delaware median; unemployment of 8%; a poverty rate of 15%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Dover
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Dover the median home value is $258,900, 22% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,344 per month, which is 34.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,686 a month in housing costs.
Dover median household income
The median household income in Dover is $60,199 and the income per person is $31,743. 15% of residents live below the poverty line (Delaware: 10.4%).
Housing in Dover: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,448
- Owner-occupied
- 46.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 53.1%
- Vacant
- 6.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.33
Dover demographics
- Population
- 39,837
- Median age
- 34.7
- Under 18
- 20.3%
- 65 and older
- 17.5%
- Households
- 15,428
- Foreign-born
- 10.9%
- Veterans
- 9.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Dover ›
Education in Dover
26.7% of adults 25 and older in Dover have a bachelor's degree or higher (Delaware: 35.8%), and 11% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Dover
- Unemployment rate
- 8%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 9%
- Drive alone
- 72.8%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 6%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.3%
Dover vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | 39,837 | $60,199 | $258,900 | $1,344 |
| Kent Acres | 2,388 | $91,524 | $241,600 | $1,574 |
| Rodney Village | 1,331 | $43,558 | $167,200 | $1,338 |
| Highland Acres | 3,752 | $102,356 | $306,400 | $1,583 |
| Dover Base Housing | 2,962 | $82,161 | — | $2,139 |
| Little Creek | 141 | $68,750 | $178,100 | $1,106 |
| Wyoming | 2,000 | $69,603 | $290,900 | $1,558 |
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,163 | $113,529 | $389,900 | $1,755 |
| Camden | 4,106 | $63,267 | $300,100 | $1,836 |
More for people moving to Dover
Dover ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Dover: FAQ
What is the median household income in Dover, DE?
The median household income in Dover is $60,199, 29% lower than the Delaware median of $84,954 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Dover?
The median home value in Dover is $258,900, compared with $352,000 in Delaware.
How much is rent in Dover?
The median gross rent in Dover is $1,344 per month, about 34.3% of household income.
Is Dover, DE a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the Delaware median; unemployment of 8%; a poverty rate of 15%.
What is the median age in Dover?
The median age in Dover is 34.7 years (Delaware: 41.6).
How long is the commute in Dover?
The average commute to work in Dover is 23 minutes; 9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Dover?
The unemployment rate in Dover is 8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Dover?
26.7% of adults in Dover have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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