Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Dover has a population of around 579 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Dover has decreased by ▼ -12.54%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 662 | 579 | --12.54% |
2026 Population Projection
Dover's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 579 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Dover Population Trend & Context
Dover had a 2021 census population of 579 — a decline of 83 (▼ 12.54%) people from the 662 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Newfoundland and Labrador towns. The town's median age of 52 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Dover is around 310 while the female population is around 270.
Of the 579 total population in Dover, the largest gender is male with around 310 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 310 | 270 | -12.90% |
Is Dover a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Dover compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Newfoundland and Labrador, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Dover Population Compared to Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador's population in 2021 was 510,550, spread across the area. Here's how Dover compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Dover | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,600 | $71,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 26.7% | 15.2% |
| Median age | 52 | 48.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3.0% | 18.7% |
| Immigrants (%) | 0.0% | 2.8% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Dover has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 12.20% of the total population. The town median age is 52.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
Broader Age Groups
If the town's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 65.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 21.70% and 13.00%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Dover are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 40.00% | 35.00% | 75.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 62.90% | 66.70% | 65.20% |
| 65 years and over | 24.20% | 20.40% | 21.70% |
| 0 to 14 years | 12.90% | 13.00% | 13.00% |
Explore Dover Through Videos
Population of Dover by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Dover is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Dover is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Dover are English, which accounts for 38.58% of the total population, followed by Canadian (24.41%), Newfoundlander (17.32%), Irish (11.02%), and Caucasian (White) (9.45%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Dover include Scottish, Mi'kmaq, Latin, Central or South American, French, and British Isles.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 37.31% | 43.10% | 38.58% |
| Canadian | 26.87% | 24.14% | 24.41% |
| Newfoundlander | 20.90% | 13.79% | 17.32% |
| Irish | 7.46% | 13.79% | 11.02% |
| Caucasian (White) | 8.96% | 10.34% | 9.45% |
| Scottish | 5.97% | 6.90% | 6.30% |
| Mi'kmaq | 0.00% | 3.45% | 2.36% |
| Latin, Central or South American | 0.00% | 5.17% | 2.36% |
| French | 2.99% | 5.17% | 2.36% |
| British Isles | 2.99% | 0.00% | 1.57% |
Indigenous Identity in Dover
About 0.00% of Dover's population (0 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 100.00% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 0 people (0.00% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Dover's population profile.
About 0.0% of Dover's population are immigrants (0 people).
The top countries of origin for Dover's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 |
100.0% of Dover's residents (635 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 0.0% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 0.0% are second generation, and 99.2% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 235 of Dover's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 20.40% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 11.20% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 9.20%, 5.10%, and 4.10%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 100 | 20.40% |
| 1 person | 55 | 11.20% |
| 3 persons | 45 | 9.20% |
| 4 persons | 25 | 5.10% |
| 5 or more persons | 20 | 4.10% |
Family and Household Structure in Dover
Of census families in Dover, 84.2% are couple families and 15.8% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.6 people.
22.9% of households in Dover are one-person households, 58.3% are couple-family households, 8.3% are one-parent-family households, and 4.2% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 55 | 22.9% |
| Couple-family households | 140 | 58.3% |
| One-parent-family households | 20 | 8.3% |
| Multigenerational households | 10 | 4.2% |
Income in Dover
Analyzing income distribution in Dover can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Dover is $27,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Dover population or around 115 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the Under $10,000, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 50 and 40 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Dover's median household income is $53,600, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Dover's median household income is 30,400 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Dover
This data sheds light on the distribution of Dover residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
37.30% or most of the Dover population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate. 37.30% of the population has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 23.90% has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 65 | 60 | 125 | 37.30% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 75 | 55 | 125 | 37.30% |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 45 | 35 | 80 | 23.90% |
Below national average 3.0% of Dover's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Dover
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Dover. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Dover is at 26.67% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 32.35% |
| Unemployment rate | 26.67% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Dover, 9.8% worked full year full time in the reference year, 39.2% worked part year and/or part time, and 51.0% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 50 | 9.8% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 200 | 39.2% |
| Did not work | 260 | 51.0% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Dover's population (around 55.60%) are working temporary position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 0 men and 0 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 0.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Dover industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Dover is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Dover has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (20%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 16%, followed by Construction at 13%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 35 | 10 | 20% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 30 | 16% |
| Construction | 30 | 0 | 13% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 20 | 9% |
| Educational services | 0 | 10 | 7% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 15 | 0 | 7% |
| Public administration | 0 | 10 | 7% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 10 | 4% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Dover residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Dover: Manufacturing (20%), Health care and social assistance (16%), Construction (13%)
Top occupation categories in Dover: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (29%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (20%), Sales and service occupations (18%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 55 | 65 | 120 | 72.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 20 | 10 | 35 | 21.20% |
| Worked at home | 0 | 10 | 10 | 6.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Dover residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Dover residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Dover spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 43.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 30.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 23.30% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 0.00% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Dover shed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Dover's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in Dover. About 580 people living in the town speak English, 0 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 580 |
| French | 0 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 0.9% of Dover's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 98.3% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 570 | 98.3% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 5 | 0.9% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| French | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Non-official languages | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Religion
Dover is predominantly Christian. About 565 of its population is Christian (305 males and 260 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 89.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Dover
Parks
Green Spaces in Dover
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Garden | Parks | 0.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Dover
- Centreville-Wareham-Trinity 17.1 km · 1,116 people
- Gambo 19.8 km · 1,816 people
- Indian Bay 20.0 km · 172 people
- Glovertown 22.5 km · 1,948 people
- St. Brendan's 22.7 km · 125 people
- Traytown 23.5 km · 279 people
- Sandringham 25.2 km · 205 people
- Eastport 29.0 km · 527 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Dover
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Dover has a population of 579 people, making it the 107th town in Newfoundland and Labrador. The population declined significantly from 662 in 2016, a decrease of 83 people or 12.54%. The town has a population density of 52.1 people per km² across a land area of 11.12 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Dover's population declined by 12.54% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 662 to 579 people, a loss of 83 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Newfoundland and Labrador towns during this period. The median age of 52.00 years suggests an aging population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Dover has a population density of approximately 52.10 people per square kilometre.
Dover covers a land area of approximately 11.12 km².
The median age of the population in Dover is 52.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Dover is English.
The median household income in Dover is $53,600, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Dover.
Christian is the predominant religion in Dover.
According to the 2021 Census, 0.0% of Dover's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
100.0% of Dover's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 15.8% of census families in Dover, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 4.2% of all households in Dover, per the 2021 Census.
0.9% of Dover's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Dover, 9.8% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.