Dover Plains, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dover Plains, New York had a total population of 912, the 889th largest community in New York, with a median household income of $55,000, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Dover Plains Quick Facts
How Dover Plains 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 | 1,077 | 912 | -15.3% |
| Median household income | $62,813 | $55,000 | -12.4% |
How Dover Plains 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dover Plains Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Dutchess County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie | 31,958 | $60,741 | 17.6% | $283,700 |
| Beacon | 14,834 | $107,859 | 9.0% | $471,600 |
| Myers Corner | 10,877 | $105,718 | 4.9% | $419,700 |
| Fairview (Dutchess County) | 6,213 | $67,161 | 21.7% | $283,500 |
| Wappingers Falls | 5,761 | $65,040 | 3.8% | $337,200 |
| Spackenkill | 4,279 | $141,005 | 1.8% | $440,500 |
| Haviland | 3,923 | $107,750 | 3.2% | $319,500 |
| Vassar College | 3,529 | $121,469 | 32.4% | $415,600 |
| Red Oaks Mill | 3,254 | $116,467 | 2.4% | $364,300 |
| Brinckerhoff | 2,813 | $101,927 | 4.4% | $370,000 |
Cities Similar to Dover Plains
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Falls | 887 | N/A | $234,000 | 41.9% | 11.5% |
| Great Bend | 938 | N/A | $172,600 | 17.3% | 31.3% |
| Ripley | 920 | $52,614 | $112,000 | 28.7% | 6.5% |
| Palenville | 870 | N/A | $238,500 | 20.4% | 5.4% |
| Matinecock | 867 | N/A | $2,000,000+ | 67.8% | 10.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 912, Dover Plains's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dover Plains is a small community located in New York, within Dutchess County. The total population is 912. It ranks as the 889th most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dover Plains is 42.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dover Plains is $55,000. This is 36% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.2%. This is 137% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dover Plains is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.5%.
Education
22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dover Plains, New York 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 New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. 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 Plains, New York?
Dover Plains, New York has a population of 912 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dover Plains, NY?
The median household income in Dover Plains is $55,000, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dover Plains, NY?
The poverty rate in Dover Plains is 33.2%. This means approximately 303 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dover Plains, New York?
Dover Plains's population is 68.1% White, 7.1% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dover Plains, NY?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Dover Plains — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Dover Plains, New York?
22.3% of adults (25+) in Dover Plains hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.