The Dover metro is home to 185,043 people (up 5.8% over five years), with a median household income of $72,872. Typical rent of $1,775/month works out to 29.2% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Dover's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 25.1% |
| Retail trade | 13.7% |
| Public administration | 9.7% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.9% |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 29.2% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Dover market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,775/month suggests a household income around $71,000/year. The metro's median household income is $72,872.
By workforce share: Education & health care (25.1%), Retail trade (13.7%), Public administration (9.7%) (Census ACS 5-year).