Dover, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dover, North Carolina had a total population of 404, the 625th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $37,250, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 379 | 404 | +6.6% |
| Median household income | $37,143 | $37,250 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $90,600 | $131,800 | +45.5% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dover Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Craven County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | 17.3% | $240,100 |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | 14.3% | $207,700 |
| James City | 4,789 | $58,973 | 11.7% | $204,400 |
| Trent Woods | 4,032 | $107,802 | 3.5% | $343,100 |
| Brices Creek | 3,415 | $85,723 | 3.4% | $338,700 |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | 7.1% | $300,600 |
| River Bend | 2,874 | $71,824 | 8.2% | $266,100 |
| Neuse Forest | 2,671 | $84,500 | 4.6% | $228,000 |
| Cherry Branch | 1,684 | $104,432 | 1.4% | $262,200 |
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | 36.8% | $148,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crouse | 408 | N/A | $212,300 | 10.6% | 0.0% |
| Fountain | 409 | N/A | $134,700 | 23.3% | 57.7% |
| Arapahoe | 397 | N/A | $163,500 | 11.5% | 18.5% |
| Turkey | 391 | N/A | $52,100 | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Brookford | 390 | N/A | $131,300 | 7.3% | 19.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 404, Dover'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 is a small community located in North Carolina, within Craven County. The total population is 404. It ranks as the 625th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dover is 47.5 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dover is $37,250. This is 49% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.7%. This is 151% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 4.2%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $131,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dover is Black or African American, making up 56.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (56.9% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
7.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dover, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Dover, North Carolina has a population of 404 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dover, NC?
The median household income in Dover is $37,250, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dover, NC?
The poverty rate in Dover is 32.7%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dover, North Carolina?
Dover's population is 37.1% White, 56.9% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dover, NC?
The median home value in Dover is $131,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Dover, North Carolina?
7.8% of adults (25+) in Dover hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.