Nestled on the picturesque coast of Delaware, Dover is a quaint city balancing historical charm with modern amenities. The state capital and the longest-serving capital in the US, Dover offers Explorers a wide range of activities and attractions. Shop at a country store or a local mall. Try your luck at the casino or visit a museum. Do a tasting at a local brewery or get a cardio workout at a local park. Dover is a city where Explorers are working rewarding assignments, embracing and being embraced by the local community, and realizing their American Dream.
Historic Delaware Company House at First State Heritage Park, Dover, Delaware.Capital of the First State
Delaware was the first U.S. colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution to become a state and made Dover the state capital. Explorers will enjoy the full spectrum of seasons in Dover. The city’s numerous parks and green spaces come alive with color each spring as azaleas, Quaker ladies, and dogwoods begin to bloom. Summer brings sunny skies and warm temperatures, with lows averaging 70°F (21.1°C) to highs of 86°F (30°C) in the warmest month, July. Fall brings a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows, coloring crisp autumn days before winter arrives with holiday decorations and average lows of 27°F (-2.7°C) to highs of 41°F (5°C) in January.
Quality of Life
- Cost of Living: 6.7 below the national rate
- Population: 38,594 based on the 2020 Census estimate
- Median Home Sale Price: $279,427
- Average Rent: $1,292 (1 bedroom)
- Median Household Income: $51,073
- Per Capita Income: $28,098
- Live below the poverty line: 20.5 percent
- Median Age: 33.8 years
- Average commute time: 21.7 minutes
Bayhealth Hospital-Kent Campus was rated high performing in three procedures/conditions by U.S. News & World Report. Additional ranked hospitals in Delaware include No. 1 ChristianCare Hospitals and No. 2 Beebe Healthcare-Lewes Campus.
Education
Explorers can enroll younger family members in the San Carlos School District.
- Overall grade: A (niche.com)
- Student-Teacher ratio: 18 to 1
- Serving: students in Pre-K, K through high school
Transportation
DART Explorers can utilize 55 bus routes servicing Dover and surrounding areas, including New Castle County, Kent County, Sussex County, and more.
Wilmington Airport (ILG) Explorers can take nonstop flights to multiple destinations, including Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. Plus, Washington, D.C., and New York City are just a two-hour drive away.
Top Attractions
Whale and Dolphin Watching Grab a pair of binoculars and head down Highway 1 to Cape Henlopen State Park to go dolphin and whale watching. There are also several boat tours that can take you out for a closer look.
Legislative Hall (istock) Take a tour of the oldest serving state capitol, Dover’s Legislative Hall. Tours are held Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of the month.
St. Jones River (istock)Take a free riverboat trip up the St. Jones or take a stroll on the boardwalk or nature trail.
Rehoboth Beach in eastern Sussex County, Delaware.Beaches Delaware is home to six beach towns, all with their own unique flair. Lewes, Rehoboth, Bethany, Dewey, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island all make a great day by the water.
Bally’s Dover Downs Casino Resort Cross your fingers and roll the dice at Bally’s. Explorers can try their luck with Craps, Blackjack, slots, taste great food, enjoy live entertainment, and more.
Biggs Museum of American Art See one of the top collections of fine and decorative arts.
Air Mobility Command Museum From retired Air Force jets to cargo aircraft to gliders, see over 30 aircraft at the museum.
Dover Motor Speedway NASCAR fans can get their adrenaline fix as top drivers take the track.
Downtown Find the perfect pair of vintage jeans, get your bangs cut, and grab lunch at The Golden Fleece, a tavern built in 1730! There’s plenty to see, try, buy, taste, and explore downtown.
Great Outdoors Nature lovers will find solace at Dover’s numerous parks and outdoor spaces, including Silver Lake Park, Bombay Hook National Refuge, and Hunn Nature Park. Explorers can go walking, hiking, running, bird watching, and more while enjoying Dover’s natural beauty.
