Located on the Charles River, Dover City is a small and rural town with a low population density. The town is characterized by rocky peaks and rolling hills, pine forests, and riverine corridors. The area has a complex hydrology system and contains many acres of high-value wetlands. Its village center is mostly municipally owned and features the Town House, a library, a liquor store, a market, and a gas station.
The economic condition of Dover City is dependent upon the availability of affordable housing. The region has a low unemployment rate and a relatively high participation rate among workers. Only two percent of Dover residents earn enough to afford housing. The largest employment sector is education and health care, with about 20% of jobs paying enough to support housing. More affordable housing in Dover City will support the local economy and reduce commuting within the region.
The Demographic Profile of the town was compiled by reviewing Dover's existing housing stock. The analysis took into consideration the current and projected demographics of the area, as well as housing market trends. The analysis revealed that Dover's population grew by eight percent in the past decade. The population of Dover is increasingly made up of school-aged children and larger single-family homes, with a growing senior population.
A study conducted by the ACS reveals that Dover is home to an unequal percentage of households with incomes below the median. Dover has the lowest median household income of any city in Norfolk County. The city does not contain a single young-adult household, which is problematic because young adults typically reach their peak earning potential at a younger age than older people. The low median household income in Dover City may be due to high housing costs, which may make the city a transitory destination.