Dover ZIP Codes — Craven County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Dover, North Carolina and it is 28526. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

95.76

sq mi land

0.13

sq mi water

252

area code

Dover, NC ZIP code map

About Dover, NC

Dover is a small yet charming city located in North Carolina, specifically within Craven County. Known for its scenic landscapes and close-knit community, Dover offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas. The city features a unique blend of rural charm and modern amenities, making it an inviting place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Dover is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina and has a land area of 95.76 square miles. It is in close proximity to several cities, including New Bern, which is approximately 16 miles to the northeast, Havelock, about 11 miles to the southeast, and Kinston, roughly 29 miles to the west. The area also includes a minimal water area of 0.13 square miles, contributing to its serene surroundings.

Community & economy

The community in Dover is characterized by a strong sense of belonging and friendliness among its residents. The local economy is largely supported by agriculture and small businesses, reflecting the city's rural roots. Daily life in Dover is typically peaceful, with residents enjoying various outdoor activities like fishing and hiking in nearby natural areas.

Transportation

Dover is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 70, which connects it with larger cities in the region. The nearest airport serving the area is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport located in New Bern, which offers regional flights. Public transportation options may be limited, but residents typically rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Dover was established in the late 19th century and has since evolved as a small, vibrant community. Historically, the area's economy relied heavily on agriculture and local crafts, contributing to its development over the years. Notable events in the city's history include the establishment of local trade routes that facilitated growth and connection with nearby regions.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Dover is that it has managed to maintain much of its rural charm despite being located near several larger cities. This unique blend of proximity to urban centers with a rural lifestyle is something many residents cherish.

ZIP codes for Dover, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28526	Dover	Craven	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,584

Population

46.6

Median age

$37,269

Median household income

$21,234

Per capita income

$105,700

Median home value

$846

Median monthly rent

73.7%

Home ownership

19.0%

Poverty rate

6.9%

Unemployment

976

Housing units

22.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

102

Under 5

113

5–9

101

10–14

15–19

105

20–24

107

25–34

118

35–44

100

126

45–54

139

55–59

197

60–64

218

65–74

103

75–84

115

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	709	27.4%
18 and over	1,875	72.6%
65 and over	536	20.7%
Median age	46.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 57.8%

Black or African American 38.9%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 1.2%

Two or more races 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	1,511	57.8%
Black or African American	1,018	38.9%
Hispanic or Latino	31	1.2%
Other race	31	1.2%
Two or more races	24	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%

$10k–$15k 11.9%

$15k–$25k 13.9%

$25k–$35k 3.6%

$35k–$50k 26.6%

$50k–$75k 25.2%

$75k–$100k 7.8%

$100k–$150k 5.3%

$150k–$200k 1.6%

$200k+ 0.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.6%
$10k–$15k	11.9%
$15k–$25k	13.9%
$25k–$35k	3.6%
$35k–$50k	26.6%
$50k–$75k	25.2%
$75k–$100k	7.8%
$100k–$150k	5.3%
$150k–$200k	1.6%
$200k+	0.7%
Median income	$37,269

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 33.0%

$50k–$100k 13.7%

$100k–$150k 18.8%

$150k–$200k 0.9%

$200k–$300k 33.0%

$500k–$1M 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$105,700
Median rent / month	$846
Owner occupied	73.7%
Renter occupied	26.3%
Vacant	15.5%
Single-family detached	64.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	35.9%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.23

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.4%
2000–2009	21.4%
1990–1999	32.4%
1980–1989	9.2%
1970–1979	19.4%
1960–1969	7.9%
1950–1959	3.9%
1940–1949	0.6%
1939 or earlier	3.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.0%
2 bedrooms	31.2%
3 bedrooms	51.0%
4 bedrooms	12.4%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.9%
1 vehicle	27.2%
2 vehicles	20.6%
3 or more	43.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.4%
Electricity	54.0%
Propane / LP gas	36.8%
Fuel oil	0.7%
Wood	7.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	388	36.6%
Cohabiting couple	20	1.9%
Male householder, no spouse	175	16.5%
Female householder, no spouse	478	45.1%
Households with children under 18	282	26.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	472	44.5%
Average household size	2.44

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.8%	15.3%
Married	49.8%	39.9%
Separated	3.9%	3.0%
Widowed	3.2%	21.6%
Divorced	18.2%	20.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.6%

Some HS, no diploma 11.4%

HS graduate 25.9%

Some college, no degree 21.9%

Associate's degree 16.1%

Bachelor's degree 20.3%

Graduate / professional 1.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.0%
Bachelor's or higher	22.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	125	16.1%
Kindergarten	11	1.4%
Elementary school	316	40.6%
High school	181	23.3%
College / grad school	145	18.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 33.9%

Retail trade 12.6%

Construction 12.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.6%

Manufacturing 7.4%

Transportation & utilities 7.4%

Public administration 6.0%

Professional & management 3.9%

Agriculture & mining 3.4%

Other services 1.3%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.9%
Service	30.9%
Sales & office	16.5%
Natural resources & construction	13.0%
Production & transportation	17.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.0%
Government	18.4%
Self-employed	3.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.6%
Carpool	2.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.8

Poverty

All people 19.0%

Under 18 years 12.6%

18 and over 21.4%

Married-couple families 8.0%

Female-led households 56.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	57.9%
Retirement income	32.4%
Supplemental Security	4.9%
Cash public assistance	12.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	22.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.9%
High cholesterol	37.2%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	4.9%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	30.8%
Kidney disease	4.1%
Pulmonary disease	9.3%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.4%
No physical activity	27.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.5%
Fair or poor health	20.1%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	13.7%
No health insurance	21.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.3%
Visited dentist	56.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.3%
Teeth loss	20.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	175	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	29.7%
Under 18	0.1%
18–64 years	30.6%
65 and over	66.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	44.9%
Public insurance	58.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,369	91.7%
Spanish	9	0.4%
Other Indo-European	9	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,575	99.7%
Born in same state	2,575	99.7%
Born in different state	2,143	82.9%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	9	0.3%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	356	13.8%
French	249	9.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	146	5.7%
English	6	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.1%
Internet access	72.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Dover, NC have?

Dover, NC has one ZIP code: 28526. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.