7 Best Independent Living Communities in Dover, DE

 

Independent Living in Dover, DE

 

Independent living communities, also known simply as retirement communities in Dover, are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Dover’s retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

Cost of Independent Living in Dover, DE

The median monthly cost for independent living in the state of Delaware is about $2,500.

For this type of senior living in Dover, A Place for Mom can help find the right option for you or your loved one.

Learn More About Dover, DE

 

Cost of Living

 

The costs associated with living in Dover are rated 2 points below the national average. Grocery and other essential costs are rated right on par with the average. All index scores are based on a sliding scale with the national average set at 100.

Cost-of-living index	Grocery index	Median rent	Rent burden	Median home value	Median family income	Estate tax
98	100	$1,165	20.5% of residents spend over 30% of their income on rent	$174,152	$49,738	None

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

The top hospitals in Dover include:

• Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus — This hospital is part of Bayhealth Medical Center, which is the largest health care system serving central and southern Delaware. The Kent Campus is consistently rated as one of the top hospitals in the state, particularly for its heart bypass and hip replacement surgeries. The hospital includes a 24-hour emergency room, a Level III trauma center, as well as many patient and family support services.
• PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Dover — Operated by Post Acute Medical (PAM), this hospital helps patients recover from acute illnesses and injuries, providing comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient therapy services.

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

Given its location, Delaware’s climate falls in a transition area with a climate classified as humid subtropical to the south and humid continental to the north. The surrounding bodies of water — Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean — help moderate temperature extremes, but Dover still has cold winters and hot summers, with a decent amount of precipitation. The average humidity level is about 70%, and humidity levels are often highest during September at around 73%.

Seasonal Temperatures

Average summer temp	Typical summer high	Typical summer low	Average winter temp	Typical winter high	Typical winter low
76°F	87°F (July)	64°F (July)	38°F	50°F (December)	28°F (January)

 

Air Quality

Average air quality index rating	Average maximum air quality index rating
40 (Good)	49 in June (Good)

 

Precipitation

Average monthly precipitation	Average maximum monthly precipitation	Average yearly snowfall
7”	10” (July)	15”

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

2016 Presidential Election for Kent County

Voted Democratic	Voted Republican	Voted Third Party
44.6%	49.5%	5.9%

 

Population Statistics

Population metro area	Population city proper	Population density	Population trend
115,352	37,538	612 people per square mile	Growing at a rate of 1.69%

 

Age

Median	55+	60+	70+	80+
30	23%	8%	6%	4%

 

Highest Level of Education

High-school diploma	College degree	Graduate degree
26%	30%	13%

 

Race & Ethnicity

Asian	Black	Hispanic	Native American	Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian	White	Two or more
2.2%	45.8%	7.5%	1.0%	<0.1%	40.9%	5.1%

 

Crime

Total crimes	Property crimes per 1,000 citizens	Violent crimes per 1,000 citizens
2,060	47	7

 

Miscellaneous

Unemployed	Participate in the labor force	Have some form of disability	Live in poverty	Widows	Veterans
6%	61%	14%	19%	6%	12%

Dover is considered moderately friendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Delaware leads all states with the highest share of same-sex households at 1.6%, according to 2018 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index — which rates cities’ inclusivity of LGBTQ+ people based current on laws, policies, and services — in 2019, Dover scored 28 out of 30 points in the category for non-discrimination laws, and the city’s overall score was 54 out of 100 points.

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

As the capital of the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Dover is a city filled with historic sites, but there’s more to do than learn about the country’s Colonial days. For example, Dover International Speedway — with the intimidating nickname “The Monster Mile” — hosts two NASCAR races every year, and its grounds include the popular Dover Downs Hotel and Casino along with a horse track. And for those who admire the fine arts, the Biggs Museum of American Art features an impressive collection of paintings, sculpture, and furniture. Dover’s Silver Lake and surrounding park is a great place for outdoor activities, featuring trails, playgrounds, picnics, fishing, and boating — all a short distance from downtown and the historic district.

Of course, anyone interested in U.S. history will find lots to choose from in Dover. The Dover Green Historic District is the city’s original square dating back to the early 1700s. You may feel transported back in time on a walking tour through Dover Green, as you’ll be surrounded by Colonial-era buildings including the John Bell House, the Parke-Ridgely House, and The Old State House, which is Delaware’s original capitol building and was completed in 1792. Just outside of town is the timeless estate of John Dickinson, one of the country’s Founding Fathers and known as the “Penman of the Revolution.” The Air Mobility Command Museum, located near Dover Air Force Base, has one of the country’s largest collections of U.S. military cargo and tanker aircraft. Other specialty museums include the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village.

 

Transportation

The Delaware Authority for Regional Transit (DART) provides bus services throughout Dover and the state. Bus services connecting riders to surrounding cities run from the Dover Transit Center. DART has a program called Senior Citizens Affordable Taxi (SCAT), which provides a 50% discount on taxi fares for passengers with a DART SCAT photo ID card.

Most of Dover’s popular tourist areas, like downtown and the Dover Green Historic District, are compact enough to be easily traversable on foot. Visitors can also rent cars from all the major car rental companies or use popular ride-sharing services.