Dover, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dover, Delaware had a total population of 39,837, the 2nd largest city in Delaware, with a median household income of $60,199, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Dover is the 2nd largest city in Delaware with a population of 39,837.
Dover Quick Facts
How Dover Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,491 | 39,837 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $58,336 | $60,199 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $248,500 | $258,900 | +4.2% |
How Dover Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 60 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dover Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rising Sun-Lebanon | 4,163 | $113,529 | 8.0% | $389,900 |
| Camden | 4,106 | $63,267 | 5.3% | $300,100 |
| Harrington | 3,838 | $72,679 | 6.9% | $221,900 |
| Highland Acres | 3,752 | $102,356 | 6.2% | $306,400 |
| Dover Base Housing | 2,962 | $82,161 | 2.2% | N/A |
| Riverview | 2,596 | $93,162 | 8.2% | $319,900 |
| Kent Acres | 2,388 | $91,524 | 14.2% | $241,600 |
| Woodside East | 2,274 | $61,142 | 10.9% | $330,700 |
| Cheswold | 2,143 | $86,875 | 7.2% | $314,600 |
| Wyoming | 2,000 | $69,603 | 18.5% | $290,900 |
Cities Similar to Dover
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 30,330 | $76,912 | $382,500 | 58.2% | 27.7% |
| Wilmington | 71,727 | $58,671 | $231,400 | 33.1% | 21.4% |
| Bear | 22,370 | $91,687 | $304,800 | 32.5% | 8.7% |
| Middletown | 24,661 | $112,831 | $409,600 | 44.0% | 8.3% |
| Brookside | 15,115 | $78,328 | $279,700 | 29.1% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Dover is a mid-sized community located in Delaware, within Kent County. The total population is 39,837. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dover is 34.7 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 41.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dover is $60,199. This is 29% lower than the state median of $84,954. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $258,900. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 46.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dover is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.8% vs 21.4%).
Education
26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 35.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dover, Delaware is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dover, Delaware?
Dover, Delaware has a population of 39,837 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dover, DE?
The median household income in Dover is $60,199, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dover, DE?
The poverty rate in Dover is 15.0%. This means approximately 5,386 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dover, Delaware?
Dover's population is 34.1% White, 44.8% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dover, DE?
The median home value in Dover is $258,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Dover, Delaware?
26.7% of adults (25+) in Dover hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.