Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 18% of Residents
Under 20
25%
Over 65
18%
Dover, DE Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,439
Population
41,037
Renter Mix
52% Rent
Delaware’s capital has something for everyone.
Charming
•
Historic
•
Convenient
Dover, Delaware combines historical significance with contemporary living in the state's capital city. The community of approximately 39,000 residents offers housing options from downtown properties to suburban developments. Current rental trends show one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,360 per month and two-bedroom units around $1,537, reflecting annual increases between 1.5% and 3.5%. The historic district surrounding The Green showcases colonial architecture and houses the Biggs Museum of American Art. Delaware State University's campus enhances the educational landscape in the city's western section.
As the state capital, Dover balances government operations with recreation and entertainment. Silver Lake Park spans 182 acres, providing spaces for fishing, walking trails, and outdoor activities. The Dover Motor Speedway hosts major NASCAR events throughout the year, while the Firefly Music Festival brings musical performances to the region. Local Amish markets contribute handcrafted goods and fresh produce to the community. The Route 13 corridor features the Dover Mall and various retail establishments, while downtown Dover maintains independent shops and local eateries. Positioned between the Delaware beaches and major cities, Dover offers convenient access to both coastal attractions and urban centers.
Explore the City
Browse local boutiques in Downtown Dover.
Reel in a prize herring or perch at Silver Run Park.
Dover has many festivals throughout the year.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$52,478
Average: $68,256
Education
9,045
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
17,672
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Dover has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
52%
Non-Renters
48%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
17%
Other Education
83%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Dover, DE is $1,242 for a studio, $1,439 for one bedroom, $1,687 for two bedrooms, and $2,123 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Dover has decreased by -0.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,439/month
771 Sq Ft
House
$2,237/month
790 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,882/month
570 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dover, DE is 4.4% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Dover is 15.6% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,242 - $2,123. You can expect to pay 0.1% less for groceries, 3.0% less for utilities, and 3.8% more for transportation.
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Learn More About Dover
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Dover, DE is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Welch (Major George S.) Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
261 Students
Stokes (Nellie Hughes) Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
487 Students
Public
Grades K-5
333 Students
Brown (W. Reily) Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
540 Students
Booker T. Washington Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
314 Students
Dover Air Force Base Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
98 Students
Academy Of Dover Charter School
Public
Grades K-8
443 Students
Public
Grades K-8
402 Students
Early College High School at Delaware State University
Public
Grades 6-12
583 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
860 Students
Early College High School at Delaware State University
Public
Grades 6-12
583 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,812 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
274 Students
Kent County Secondary Intensive Learning Center
Public
Grades 6-12
82 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- First State Heritage Park
- Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village
- Delaware NERR
Top Apartments in Dover
Houses for Rent in Dover
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Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.