Dover, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Dover is a small city in New Jersey with a population of 18,420. Residents earn $70,519 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
18,420 Population 6,873/sq mi density
$70,519 Median Income $31,603 per capita
$347,100 Home Value $497,747 Zillow
$1,743 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
206 Violent Crime/100K 1,406 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$70,519 median income, 3.3% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$347,100 home value, $1,743/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
206 violent crimes/100K (46% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,519
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $347,100
23% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 206/100K
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,743
50% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.7%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

How Dover Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population18,420
Median Age41.0 yrs
Density6,873/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 28%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,519
Per Capita$31,603
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$74,395M
Commute27 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$347,100
Rent$1,743
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$497,747

Crime

F
Violent206/100K
Property1,406/100K
Murder5.4/100K
Assault114/100K
Burglary304/100K

Health

Obesity30.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.0%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain45.5 in/yr
Elevation572 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+77.0%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute27 min
EV Stations1
Libraries37

Is Dover a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dover receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates. Dover has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dover is $70,519, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dover is $347,100, 23% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,743 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Dover is below the national average at 206 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,406 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Dover experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Dover has a population of 18,420 with a density of 6,873 people per square mile. The median age is 41.0 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (27.7%), with 5.9% Black.

Population

18,420
Total Population
6,873
People / sq mi
41.0yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Dover vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only22.5%
71% below US avg
Spanish77.5%
478% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Dover vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dover is $70,519, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Dover vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,519
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,603
Avg Weekly Wage$1,946
IRS Avg AGI$156,784

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,002
County GDP$74,395M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,349
Healthcare1,822
Retail1,639
Manufacturing496

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$13,570
288% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.9 min
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Dover is $347,100, 23% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,743 (50% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $497,747.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$347,100
23% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$497,747
Median List Price$497,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$497,450
$/Sq Ft$429
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio106.3%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,743
50% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$13,570
288% above US avg
Effective Rate3.91%
In Dover, 30.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 14.0% report depression. 33.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Dover vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.7%
4% below US avg
Diabetes12.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.2%
Asthma8.3%
COPD4.7%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity33.3%
Depression14.0%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate73.5%
Checkup Rate73.8%
Premature Death4,240/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access98.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,822
Dover has a violent crime rate of 206 per 100,000 residents, 46% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,406 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 5.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Dover vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent206.3/100K
46% below US avg
Murder5.4/100K
14% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery86.9/100K
Assault114.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,406.2/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary304.0/100K
Theft1,026.1/100K
Vehicle Theft76.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Dover has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.5 inches
20% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation572 ft (174 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density6,873/sq mi
Coordinates40.8856°N, 74.5592°W
County FIPS34027
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.4%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+77.0%
School Test Score6.24
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density6,873/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries37
Healthcare Facilities1,822
Restaurants1,349
Retail Stores1,639

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.9 min
Work from Home5.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Dover with another city: