Dover
RANK #731 / 996 NAT · POP 182,400
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Kent County, Delaware, is perhaps best known as home to Dover, the state capital, and Dover Air Force Base, a significant military installation. Located in the central part of Delaware, it offers a blend of rural landscapes with suburban developments. Dover is approximately 90 minutes south of Philadelphia and two hours east of Washington D.C., with major highways like Route 1 and Route 13 providing connections throughout the East Coast. The community offers a quieter lifestyle with ample open space, dotted with quaint villages and farms. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with Killens Pond State Park offering camping, hiking, and fishing, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge providing opportunities for bird-watching. Life in Kent County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between affordability and convenience. The presence of Dover Air Force Base significantly impacts the local economy and labor pool, with approximately 10,000 people employed by the base. Delaware State University, located in Dover, also contributes to the area's educational and economic landscape, recently expanding its physical presence and fostering entrepreneurial growth through initiatives like the Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship (CURE). The county's school districts, including Caesar Rodney and Capital School District, offer various educational programs.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Barratts Landing Mixed-Use Development
Eastern States Development of Wilmington
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Pipeline (Felton Loop)
Eastern Shore Natural Gas
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (4 projects)
Chaberton Energy, Pivot Energy, Tangent Energy Solutions, Hartly Community Energy Initiative LLC, Calpine
|
$25M | Operating/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 26/100, Kent County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $69,278 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Kent County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $272,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,224/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Kent County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.9% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.84% of Kent County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.