This section of Dover contains information on the city's history and demographics. Dover was founded in 1683, and was the court town for the county of Kent. The town was a "stop" on the Underground Railroad, and was near the slave-holding states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Its Quaker community helped encourage a sustained emancipation effort during the early 19th century. Although there were relatively few slaves, the town was still home to a majority that supported slavery.
Dover is a diverse city, and the demographic breakdown shows that nearly 80% of the population lives in the town. In contrast, only 8% of the population lives in the city's urban areas. While this is still a relatively small percentage, the city's demographics are fairly diverse. Its residents come from many different countries, and many are immigrants. As a result, many residents of Dover, DE are foreign-born.
Dover is also home to several major corporations. The city is home to a Kraft Foods plant that produces Jell-O. This plant relocated from the Bloomfield, New York, plant. It also has a P&G plant that makes Pampers Baby Fresh wipes and is a major fabric producer. It also has a facility for the production of spacesuits and was the primary contractor for the Space Shuttle EMU. The area also has several national and local retail shops. The only mall in the area is the Dover Mall.
The area's schools are part of the Capital School District. Dover High School is part of the Capital School District. The area is also home to the Campus Community Charter School District and the Academy of Dover Charter School. This school district also serves the Dover Air Force Base Middle School. Its high school serves students in grades seven to twelve. The city is home to several elementary schools and junior high schools.