Dover, DE Demographics

A map of Dover's Population by Race

Dover, Delaware has an estimated population of 39,837, a slight increase from the 39,403 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 44.8% Black, 34.1% White, 10.7% Hispanic, 6.5% Multiracial, 2.9% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Dover, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Dover has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Delaware overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Dover, that probability was 66.0% in 2020 and 66.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Dover is ranked the 2nd most populous place in Delaware, out of 79 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Dover was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Dover's White Population

13,574 residents of Dover, or 34.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Dover is significantly lower than in Delaware overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Dover ranks 73rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 79 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dover's White population has declined by an estimated 9.9%. White residents' share of Dover's population has decreased from 38.2% to 34.1%.

Dover is more White than neighboring Rodney Village (30.4% White). Dover is less White than neighboring Kent Acres (37.1% White), Highland Acres (70.8% White), Dover Base Housing (60.1% White), and Wyoming (64.7% White).

Dover's Black Population

17,831 residents of Dover, or 44.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Dover is significantly higher than in Delaware overall, where 21.4% of the population is Black. Dover ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 79 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dover's Black population has grown by an estimated 6.2%. Black residents' share of Dover's population has increased from 42.6% to 44.8%.

Dover is more Black than neighboring Kent Acres (28.2% Black), Highland Acres (15% Black), Dover Base Housing (9.5% Black), and Wyoming (21.1% Black). Dover is less Black than neighboring Rodney Village (61.8% Black).

Dover's Asian Population

1,168 residents of Dover, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Dover is comparable to the share in Delaware overall, where 4.3% of the population is Asian. Dover ranks 18th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 79 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dover's Asian population has declined by an estimated 9.4%. Asian residents' share of Dover's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.9%.

Dover is more Asian than neighboring Rodney Village (0% Asian), Dover Base Housing (0.3% Asian), and Wyoming (1.2% Asian). Dover is less Asian than neighboring Kent Acres (4.1% Asian), and Highland Acres (5.5% Asian).

Dover's Hispanic Population

4,280 residents of Dover, or 10.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Dover is comparable to the share in Delaware overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Dover ranks 30th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 79 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dover's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 30.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Dover's population has increased from 8.3% to 10.7%.

Dover is more Hispanic than neighboring Kent Acres (6.9% Hispanic), Rodney Village (1.9% Hispanic), Highland Acres (3.5% Hispanic), and Wyoming (8.8% Hispanic). Dover is less Hispanic than neighboring Dover Base Housing (26.8% Hispanic).

Dover's Native American/Other Population

406 residents of Dover, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Dover is comparable to the share in Delaware overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Dover ranks 15th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 79 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dover's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 14.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Dover's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Dover is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kent Acres (0.7% Native American/Other), Rodney Village (0% Native American/Other), Highland Acres (0.2% Native American/Other), Dover Base Housing (0% Native American/Other), and Wyoming (0.8% Native American/Other).

Dover's Multiracial Population

2,578 residents of Dover, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Dover is comparable to the share in Delaware overall, where 4.5% of the population is Multiracial. Dover ranks 21st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 79 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Dover's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Dover's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.5%.

Dover is more Multiracial than neighboring Rodney Village (5.9% Multiracial), Highland Acres (4.9% Multiracial), Dover Base Housing (3.3% Multiracial), and Wyoming (3.5% Multiracial). Dover is less Multiracial than neighboring Kent Acres (23% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.