Census ACS · #245 MSA
Dover Metro Area
The Dover, De Metropolitan Statistical Area has 185,043 residents. The median household income is $72,872 and the median home value is $290,600.
185,043
Population
316
People / sq mi
$72,872
Median Income
$290,600
Median Home Value
The Dover CBSA covers 586 sq mi of land at 315.7 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 59.9% |
| Black or African American | 27.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
Economy & Income
$72,872
Median Household Income
$34,640
Per Capita Income
8.6%
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Dover metro's price level is 97.5 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 2.5% lower the US average. The local median income of $72,872 has the buying power of $74,735 in average-priced US metros.
97.5
Price Level (US = 100)
$74,735
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$72,872
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$290,600
Median Home Value
$1,285
Median Rent
71.0%
Homeownership
Education
90.2%
High School+
26.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.1%
Drive Alone
7.6%
Work From Home
27.0 min
Avg Commute
42.7%
Foreign Born
Dover spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Delaware
Largest counties in Delaware
Part of Delaware
Other metros
Metro areas in Delaware
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Dover, De Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 185,043 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #245 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Dover metro area is $72,872, with a per capita income of $34,640.
The Dover, De CBSA spans the state of Delaware.
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More from Delaware
Data for the Dover, De CBSA (20100) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Dover stands apart on settlement density — it is among the most densely settled of US metro areas, at roughly 316 people per square mile. Dover is a metro area in DE with a population of 185,043.
The typical household earns $72,872 a year, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.6%, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $290,600, with typical rent around $1,285.
26.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Dover: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.