Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Dover, MA
Considering a move to Dover, MA? This close-knit town of 6,279 offers a tranquil, affluent lifestyle with top-rated public schools, remarkably low crime rates, and a highly educated population—85% hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. Housing is premium, with median home prices at $1.4M and rents around $3,100, reflecting Dover’s exclusivity. Residents enjoy a short 32-minute average commute, excellent healthcare access, and a pleasant New England climate with 56% sunny days. If you value safety, education, and a peaceful suburban setting, Dover stands out as an exceptional choice.
Demographics - Dover, MA
Dover is a small, close-knit community of 6,279 residents, known for its predominantly White and Asian population and a median age of 44.2. The town features a balanced gender ratio and a well-educated, diverse population, with over 10% speaking a language other than English at home.
Population:
6,279
Density:
370 per sq mi
Median Age:
44.2
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
10.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
83.4%
Black:
1.1%
Asian:
11.2%
Others:
4.3%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Dover, MA?
Living in Dover comes with a high cost of living, with the median home value at $1.4 million and average rent at $3,100 per month. Expenses like utilities and groceries are above the national average, reflecting the town's affluent status and desirable amenities.
Median House Value:
$1,400,000
Gross Rent:
$3,100
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$160
Auto Insurance:
$1,450
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$4,500
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$1,350
State Taxes:
Low:
5.0%
|
High:
9.0%
Cost Of Living Index:
162.5
Grocery:
114.0
Housing:
210.0
Utilities:
112.0
Transportation:
130.0
Health Care:
119.0
Miscellaneous:
115.0
Crime
Is Dover, MA a safe place to live?
Dover boasts exceptionally low crime rates, with only 14 violent crimes and 98 property crimes per 100,000 residents, making it one of the safest communities in the region. Residents enjoy a very low chance of experiencing crime, contributing to the town's peaceful atmosphere.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
14
Property Crimes Per 100k:
98
Crime Index:
112
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 7,100
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 870
Weather
What is the weather like in Dover, MA year-round?
Dover experiences classic New England weather, with cold winters averaging lows of 18°F and warm summers reaching up to 84°F. The town receives about 47 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine 56% of the year, making for pleasant seasonal changes.
Winter
Min:
18°F
Max:
36°F
Spring
Min:
40°F
Max:
65°F
Summer
Min:
62°F
Max:
84°F
Fall
Min:
41°F
Max:
67°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
47.0 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
56%
Neighbors
Dover is a highly affluent area, with household incomes averaging $250,000 and a low poverty rate of just 1.2%. Nearly all residents have at least a high school diploma, and the community enjoys low unemployment and a manageable average commute of 32.5 minutes.
Median Income:
$92,000
Household Income:
$250,000
Family Income:
$295,000
Per Capita Income:
$105,000
Income Male:
$160,000
Income Female:
$102,000
Poverty Rate:
1.2%
Non English Speakers:
10.5%
Rent:
$3,100
Unemployment Rate:
2.4%
Public Transport Usage:
7.0%
Commute Time:
32.5 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
99.1%
Bachelors or More:
85.0%
Education
How are the schools in Dover, MA?
Dover is renowned for its excellent public schools, such as Chickering Elementary and Dover-Sherborn Regional High, both offering favorable student-teacher ratios. In addition, residents have access to nearby prestigious colleges including Babson and Wellesley, supporting lifelong learning opportunities.
Public Schools
Name:
Chickering Elementary School
Street:
29 Cross St
Phone:
508-785-0480
Students:
470
Student Teacher Ratio:
11.7
Name:
Dover-Sherborn Regional High School
Street:
9 Junction St, Dover, MA
Phone:
508-785-1730
Students:
650
Student Teacher Ratio:
11.5
Private Schools
Name:
Charles River School
Street:
6 Old Meadow Rd
Phone:
508-785-8213
Students:
190
Colleges
Name:
Babson College
City:
Wellesley
State:
MA
Distance:
6 miles
Students:
3,350
Name:
Wellesley College
City:
Wellesley
State:
MA
Distance:
8 miles
Students:
2,400
Healthcare
Residents of Dover benefit from outstanding healthcare options, with major hospitals like Newton-Wellesley and Beth Israel Deaconess nearby and an impressive physician rate of 3.6 per 1,000 people. Health insurance coverage is high at 98.1%, ensuring excellent access to medical services.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Address:
2014 Washington St, Newton, MA 02462
Phone:
(617) 243-6000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham
Address:
148 Chestnut St, Needham, MA 02492
Phone:
(781) 453-3000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.6
Health Insurance Coverage:
98.1%
Health Care Index:
82.3
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Dover, MA?
Dover’s housing market is defined by high homeownership, with over 90% of homes owner-occupied and a median home price of $1.4 million. The area sees steady appreciation and very low foreclosure rates, reflecting sustained demand and stability.
Median Home Price:
$1,400,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$3,100
Owner Occupied Rate:
90.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.2%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.1%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
Dover residents are served by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, located in Boston and accessible by phone or online. This office provides all standard vehicle and licensing services for Massachusetts drivers.
State:
Massachusetts
Department:
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Address:
136 Blackstone St, Boston, MA 02109
Phone:
1-857-368-8000
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.