City profile
Dover, DE
Small, affordable state capital and home of Delaware State University (HBCU).
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
36°F
Summer avg
78°F
Sunny days / yr
205
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$290,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,785
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
98
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.56%
- State income tax (top)
- 6.6%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- None
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 85/100
Top hazards: Cold wave, Winter weather, Hurricane
Nearest major airport
52 mi to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 47% Democratic / 51% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
39,837
Growth since 2019
+6.2%
Median age
34.7
Residents 65+
18.4%
Median household income
$60,199
Income growth since 2019
+26.3%
Black household income
$49,065
Home ownership
46.9%
Poverty rate
15.0%
Poverty rate, 65+
13.6%
Race & ethnicity: Black 44.8% · White 34.1% · Hispanic 10.7% · Asian 2.9% · Other 7.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
852 · 158% above the national average
Property crime
5,821 · 275% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Dover Police Department. State average: violent 354, property 1,586.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸DE is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: coastal flooding
Highlights
- Delaware State University (HBCU)
- No sales tax
- Affordable
Trade-offs
- Small city
- Far from a major airport
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.