Dover, NH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Dover, NH

What is Dover's overall crime grade?

Dover, NH earns an overall crime grade of B+, reflecting a city that performs meaningfully better than many comparable communities across the country. With a population of approximately 89,874 and a population density of 461 residents per square mile, Dover is dense enough to generate some crime activity but well-managed enough to keep rates relatively low. The B+ grade signals that the vast majority of Dover residents go about their daily lives without encountering serious criminal incidents, and the city's safety profile compares favorably to other New England cities of similar size.

What types of crime are most common in Dover?

Property crimes — including theft, motor vehicle theft, and vandalism — account for the largest share of reported incidents in Dover, a pattern consistent with most mid-sized cities. Violent crime, while present, represents a significantly smaller proportion of total incidents. Dover's low unemployment rate of 3.2% and a poverty rate of just 8.5% are economic indicators that correlate strongly with suppressed crime levels, particularly for crimes of economic desperation. The city's median household income of $74,833 further supports a stable socioeconomic environment that tends to reduce overall crime risk.

Is Dover, NH a safe city to live in?

By most measurable standards, yes. Dover's B+ crime grade places it in the upper tier of safety among New Hampshire cities. The combination of a relatively low poverty rate (8.5%), near-full employment (3.2% unemployment), and a median home value of $273,722 — reflecting stable, invested homeownership — all contribute to a community where crime deterrents are naturally reinforced. Neighborhoods near the Downtown Dover district and the Pine Hill area are frequently cited by residents as particularly calm and community-oriented, with active neighborhood associations that support informal surveillance and quick reporting of suspicious activity.

Which neighborhoods in Dover tend to have lower crime activity?

While granular block-by-block data shifts over time, community feedback and available incident mapping consistently point to neighborhoods such as Pine Hill, areas adjacent to Rollinsford, and the established residential corridors near Barrington Road as among the quieter parts of the city. These areas tend to feature higher rates of owner-occupied housing — consistent with Dover's median home value of $273,722 — which research consistently links to lower property crime rates. Downtown Dover, while more active commercially, benefits from higher foot traffic and police visibility that help deter opportunistic crime.

How does Dover's poverty rate affect its crime levels?

Dover's poverty rate of 8.5% is notably below the national average of roughly 12–13%, and this matters significantly for crime analysis. Lower poverty rates correlate with reduced rates of both property crime and violent crime at the neighborhood level. Combined with a median rent of $1,184 — moderate for the Seacoast New Hampshire region — and a median household income of $74,833, Dover's economic profile suggests a population that is largely financially stable. Economic stability reduces the conditions that often drive theft, burglary, and other economically motivated offenses, which is reflected in the city's B+ overall safety grade.

Is Dover safe compared to other New Hampshire cities?

Dover's B+ crime grade positions it favorably within New Hampshire. While cities like Portsmouth and Concord draw frequent comparisons due to similar population scales, Dover's lower poverty rate of 8.5% and unemployment rate of 3.2% give it a competitive safety edge. Its population density of 461 people per square mile is moderate — high enough to sustain an active, walkable community but not so dense that crime concentration becomes a systemic issue. For families, professionals, and retirees evaluating Seacoast New Hampshire communities, Dover's safety metrics make a compelling case.

What should residents do to stay safe in Dover?

Even in a B+-graded city like Dover, personal safety habits matter. Residents are encouraged to: lock vehicles and remove valuables, particularly in higher-traffic commercial zones near Downtown Dover; participate in or support neighborhood watch initiatives in areas like Pine Hill and surrounding residential neighborhoods; report non-emergency incidents promptly to the Dover Police Department to ensure accurate crime tracking; and use Dover's crime map tools to monitor recent incident clusters by type and location. Since property crime represents the most common incident category locally, securing homes and vehicles remains the single highest-impact precaution most residents can take.