Dover, New Jersey 2025

Dover is a city in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, the population was 19,342, reflecting an increase of 1,621 (+8.9%) from the 17,721 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,362 (+8.0%) from the 16,359 counted in the 1990 Census. Dover is known as the "Hub of Morris County" for its close proximity to Morris County's other population centers and for its rail and road networks.

Dover has a variety of cultural attractions. The Dover Arts Center and the Dover Little Theatre host performances and exhibits throughout the year.

Local attractions include the Dover Museum, which exhibits a collection of artifacts and photographs depicting the history and industry of Dover and vicinity, and the USR sailing ships America and Sandy Hook, which are part of the Delaware River Historic Ship and Shipwreck Commission.

Historically, Dover was home to many industries such as canneries, textiles, and pipe organs.

The mayor of Dover is Democrat James P. Dodd.

Dover is governed under the City form of New Jersey municipal government. The city is one of 15 municipalities (of the 565) statewide that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the city council.

Festivals and events

The annual Dover Day Festival, hosted in August, celebrates the diversity of the community through music, food, and cultural events. The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2022 with a full calendar of events.

Dover has been holding annual Christmas parades that begin at the Dover Area Historical Society's Museum and continues up West Blackwell Street, ending at the Dover Fire Department.

At the festival, there are food stalls. live music, and activities for children, including face painting and bouncy castles. It is held on the second Saturday of August.

The Dover Greek Festival began in 1977 hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Normally this event is on the church grounds, but it has been modified to only food take out.

The event features local businesses and the Morris County Hispanic community comes together to showcase the culture, music, and cuisine of the Hispanic communities and help promote services available in the town. The event is located at the Dover High School.

The Hudson Shakespeare Company performs "Shakespeare in the Park" for the town annually, free for all attendees in the Dover Park. This event usually takes place in early summer.

In 2017, MNet's Hip Hop Republic filmed a dance show named "Take The Floor" at Dover High School.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

According to the 2000 Census, the median income for a household in the city was $45,913, and the median income for a family was $56,250. Males had a median income of $38,204 versus $31,757 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,468. About 12.2% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under the age of 18 and 11.0% of those ages 65 or older living alone.