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The English colonial heritage runs deep, with Dover founded in 1623. English, Scottish, and Irish surnames predominate. Franco-Canadian communities arrived in the 19th century, drawn by textile mills along the Cocheco. There is also a small historical Portuguese community.

Proximity to UNH in Durham has brought gradual diversity. International students and Indian, Chinese, and Brazilian faculty mix with the local population. Latino families have settled over the past two decades, served by Catholic churches with Spanish-language masses and small specialty markets.

Religiously, Congregationalists, Roman Catholics, and Episcopalians form the base. The First Parish Church (Congregational) is one of the oldest churches in the state. Hindu and Buddhist temples are located farther south, in Manchester and Nashua. A small mosque serves Muslim families in the area.

Downtown features condominiums in converted former factory buildings (Mill District), popular with young professionals. Neighborhoods such as Garrison Hill, the Henry Law area, and Sawyer's Park have Victorian and Colonial brick homes on tree-lined streets.

Dover Point, at the southern tip, offers homes with views of Great Bay and the Piscataqua, at a premium. Newer areas around Dover Mall and Indian Brook feature condominiums and homes from the 1980s and 2000s. For larger homes with land, areas to the northwest toward Rollinsford and Madbury offer good inventory.

Newcomers typically rent first in Mill District complexes or in small buildings near downtown. Rollinsford, Lee, Madbury, and Durham (neighboring towns) are alternatives with top-rated schools and more larger homes. Purchasing requires patience and pre-approved financing.

The Dover School District operates Dover High School, Dover Middle School, and several elementary schools. Dover High has advanced programs, high-level athletics, and the Dover Career Technical Center offering vocational training. St. Mary Academy is a Catholic alternative for elementary and secondary education.

The University of New Hampshire (UNH), in Durham 10 minutes away, is one of New England's leading research universities. It enrolls more than 13,000 students with programs in engineering, marine sciences, agriculture, business, and health. International students form an active community.

Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth offers technical programs in healthcare, mechatronics, and technology. For elite secondary education, Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter (30 minutes) is a world-renowned institution. Boston University, MIT, and Harvard are 1h15 away by train.

Dover ranks among the safest cities in the state for its size. Residential neighborhoods are quiet, with neighbors who know each other. The Dover Police Department maintains a visible presence and community programs in schools. At festivals and events, policing is reinforced but low-key.

Downtown has active nightlife on Fridays and Saturdays, and most incidents involve intoxication or minor disputes. Some areas near the Spaulding Turnpike may experience occasional vehicle break-ins. As in all of New Hampshire, opioid issues exist, but Dover has active harm reduction programs.

Snowstorms, nor'easters, and coastal winds are the primary natural hazard. Flooding along the Cocheco and Piscataqua riverbanks occurs during high tides combined with heavy rain. NH Alerts sends cell phone warnings, and the city maintains heated shelters in winter.

Winters are long and cold, with lows frequently between -10 and -3 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall from December through March. The proximity to the ocean moderates temperatures slightly compared to inland cities.

Summer is short and mild, with highs between 26 and 29 degrees in July and moderate humidity. Nights are cool and the sea breeze refreshes the warmer months.

Residents need heating, a winter jacket, snow boots, and snow tires. Air conditioning is useful but unnecessary in many homes, and the golden fall is the most beloved season.

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire, in downtown, is a regional landmark with interactive exhibits and extensive programming for families. The Woodman Institute Museum holds natural history, military, and local history collections in historic buildings. Garrison House (1675) preserves one of the oldest structures in the state.

The Mill District concentrates breweries, restaurants, and galleries in converted factory buildings. Henry Law Park, along the Cocheco, offers green space, and the Cocheco River Trail is a good option for urban walking. Cocheco Falls is part of the downtown's character.

Fifteen minutes away, Portsmouth is a must, with Strawbery Banke Museum (a preserved colonial town), a working waterfront, restaurants, and an arts scene. Hampton Beach (30 minutes) is the summer destination. For nature, the White Mountains are 2 hours away and the lakes region is 1 hour away.