Dover city, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Dover city, Delaware has a total population of 39,491, the 2nd largest city in Delaware, with a median household income of $58,336, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Dover city is the 2nd largest city in Delaware with a population of 39,491.
Dover city Quick Facts
How Dover city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 59 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dover city Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Cities Similar to Dover city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark city | 30,309 | $71,373 | $357,600 | 57.5% | 27.1% |
| Wilmington city | 71,124 | $55,269 | $224,500 | 33.1% | 23.2% |
| Bear CDP | 22,604 | $88,985 | $280,200 | 30.7% | 9.7% |
| Middletown town | 24,071 | $115,252 | $399,500 | 45.5% | 7.0% |
| Brookside CDP | 15,262 | $72,031 | $264,800 | 26.3% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Dover city is a mid-sized community located in Delaware. The total population is 39,491. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 79 cities and towns in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dover city is 35.1 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 41.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dover city is $58,336. This is 30% lower than the state median of $82,855. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $248,500. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $326,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 47.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 72.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dover city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (43.9% vs 21.4%).
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 35.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dover city, Delaware is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Delaware state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 79 Census-designated places in Delaware. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dover city, Delaware?
Dover city, Delaware has a population of 39,491 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dover city, DE?
The median household income in Dover city is $58,336, which is 26% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Dover city, DE?
The poverty rate in Dover city is 17.5%. This means approximately 6,232 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dover city, Delaware?
Dover city's population is 35.0% White, 43.9% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dover city, DE?
The median home value in Dover city is $248,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Dover city, Delaware?
27.2% of adults (25+) in Dover city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.