Description
The City of Dover is located in Central Delaware in Kent County and is the capital of Delaware.
Dover is approximately 90 miles south of Philadelphia, PA, & 90 miles east of Washington, DC.
While its population is significantly less than that of Wilmington, Del., Dover encompasses a
larger area than any other city on the Delmarva Peninsula. In contrast to most major cities in the
Northeast United States, Dover is continuing to grow economically, in population, & in land area.
The City has an estimated population of 34,120 & a total land area of approximately 26,000 acres.
History
Dover was founded in 1683 by William Penn. In 1717, it was officially laid out over an area of 125
acres by a commission of the Delaware Legislature. It grew nearly 1,000 acres in size by 1960.
The greatest periods of expansion in Dover occurred in the years following World War I and World
War II. Completion of the Dupont Highway throughout the length of Delaware in 1924 acted as a
catalyst. Between 1925 and 1936, Dover's limits were extended and its infrastructure improved.
In the years immediately after World War II, the City of Dover acquired lands for the construction
of an airport. This land was developed & activated during World War II as the Dover Air Force Base.
Following the war, personnel at the base was reduced to a housekeeping unit until reactivated by
the Military Air Transport Service in 1954. Since that time, it has developed into one of the largest
military freight terminals in the world and is home to the 512th Airlift Wing.
Government
The City of Dover has operated under a modified Council-Manager form of government since 1929.
Under this system, the Mayor and Council, nominated and elected by district by non-partisan vote,
are policy makers. The Council appoints the City Manager, Tax Assessor, City Clerk/Alderman,
City Treasurer, City Solicitor, Fire Marshal, Building Inspector, & City Planner who all report directly
to them. The Mayor appoints the Chief of Police.
Dover’s governing body is composed of a Mayor and 9 Council Members, with one Council Member
elected by Council to serve as Council President. Council members are elected from four districts
and serve staggered, two-year terms. One member of Council and the Mayor are elected at-large
and also serve two-year terms.
