At a glance
| Typical home value | $427,600 (−0.6% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| County | Hillsborough County (unincorporated; no city government) |
| Typical home value | $427,575 (Zillow, August 2026, down 0.6%) |
| Location | About 6 miles west of Plant City and 7 miles northeast of Brandon |
| Main roads | US 92, with I-4 nearby |
| ZIP code | 33527 (about 31.4 square miles; 16,259 residents in 2020) |
| Schools | Hillsborough County Public Schools, including Strawberry Crest High School (opened 2009) |
Dover at a glance
Dover sits between Brandon and Plant City in eastern Hillsborough County, along US 92 with I-4 close by. It is a census-designated place, not a city, so Hillsborough County provides local government, zoning and permitting.
The name covers two very different areas. The Dover census-designated place is small: 2.64 square miles and 3,266 residents at the 2020 Census. The Dover ZIP code, 33527, is much larger at about 31.4 square miles, with 16,259 residents in 2020. Most listings with a Dover address are in the wider ZIP area rather than the small census-designated place.
The census-designated place had 3,266 residents in 2020, down from 3,702 in 2010, and sits about 24 miles from downtown Tampa.
Is Dover, FL a good place to live?
Dover suits buyers who want more land or a newer home between Brandon and Plant City and are happy with county services instead of a city government. It is pricier than Plant City: Zillow's typical Dover value was $427,575 in August 2026, about $87,000 above Plant City's $340,391, which reflects larger lots and newer homes across the 33527 ZIP.
The trade-offs are driving for almost everything, rural systems such as wells and septic on some parcels, and farmland or new subdivisions next door. Check zoning and neighboring uses before you commit.
Homes and prices in Dover
Zillow's typical Dover home value was $427,575 in August 2026, down 0.6% on the year. That is higher than nearby Plant City ($340,391) and Valrico ($414,955). In ZIP 33527 about 77% of homes are owner-occupied and about 69% of housing units are single-family.
Across the Tampa metro in August 2026, homes took a typical 70 days to go pending and 31.2% of listings had a price cut, so there is room to negotiate. At the Freddie Mac average of 7.03% (week of September 24, 2026), principal and interest on $427,575 is about $2,568 a month with 10% down and $2,283 with 20% down, before tax, insurance and any HOA or CDD.
Across a ZIP of more than 31 square miles, the typical value hides a wide range. Compare a home with recent closed sales of similar lot size and age, not the area average.
Neighborhoods and communities in Dover
Dover has no official neighborhoods of its own, so listings use subdivision names or simply a Dover address. Treat the name as a mailing label: the census-designated place and the much larger ZIP code cover very different kinds of property, from small in-town lots to acreage and brand-new tract homes. Start with the kind of land and home you want, then check the parcel.
The Dover census-designated place
The small CDP around US 92 covers 2.64 square miles, with 971 housing units at the 2020 Census. Homes here vary widely in age and lot size, so check the year built and survey on each listing.
Lake Gallagher Estates
LGI Homes listed this ZIP 33527 community on NewHomeSource in September 2026 with plans from $548,900 to $628,900, 3 to 5 bedrooms and about 1,680 to 2,409 square feet. Ask about lot sizes, HOA and any CDD.
Durant Ridge
Sunrise Homes lists Durant Ridge with a Dover address. No price was published on NewHomeSource in September 2026, so ask the builder directly.
Acreage and rural homesites
Much of the 31.4-square-mile ZIP is lower-density land. Parcels with acreage may use wells and septic and may sit next to working farms, so check the county zoning of the land around you.
Established subdivisions
Older subdivisions sit between the rural parcels and the newer tracts. Deed restrictions and HOA rules vary, so read the documents for each.
Living in Dover
Schools
Dover is served by Hillsborough County Public Schools, including Bailey Elementary and Dover Elementary. Strawberry Crest High School, at Gallagher Road and US 92, opened on August 25, 2009 and offers the International Baccalaureate program. Assignment follows the address, so check the district's boundary information.
Parks and outdoors
Edward Medard Park, a 1,284-acre Hillsborough County park south of Plant City, has hiking and equestrian trails, a 770-acre reservoir, an observation tower and campsites.
Shopping and services
Most shopping and medical services are in Brandon to the southwest or Plant City to the east.
Utilities and trash
Hillsborough County provides drinking water and wastewater service in unincorporated areas, and its Solid Waste Services oversees collection and recycling. Ask whether a parcel is on county water and sewer or a private well and septic.
Before closing, list every service the home depends on, from trash day to septic pump-outs, and confirm who provides each one at that address.
Costs and taxes in Dover
Property tax
Dover parcels pay unincorporated Hillsborough County millage rather than a city rate. If it will be your permanent home, file for the homestead exemption, worth up to $50,000 off taxable value, with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser by March 1. See Hillsborough County property tax.
CDD and HOA
Newer subdivisions may carry CDD assessments and HOA dues. Read the non-ad valorem section of the tax bill.
Insurance and flood
Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get an insurance quote early, especially for older homes, outbuildings and low-lying land.
Getting to Plant City and Tampa from Dover
Dover's position is its main draw. Plant City is about 6 miles east and Brandon about 7 miles southwest, and I-4 links the area to Tampa and Lakeland. We do not quote drive times because they change with traffic and your exact location. Drive your route at your real commute hours, and note how far the home is from the nearest I-4 interchange and US 92.
Pros and cons of living in Dover
Pros
- Between Brandon and Plant City, with US 92 and nearby I-4.
- Larger lots and acreage than most of the Tampa metro.
- New-home options alongside rural properties.
Cons
- Typical values about $87,000 above Plant City.
- No city government; county services, and wells and septic on some parcels.
- Car-dependent, with farmland and development nearby.
What to check before you buy in Dover
- County services. As an unincorporated area, Dover relies on Hillsborough County. Ask who provides water, sewer and trash for the parcel. See Hillsborough County property tax.
- Well and septic. On acreage and older lots, ask whether the home uses a private well or septic system and request records.
- Zoning and neighbors. Check the county zoning of the parcel and nearby land, especially if you want livestock, a workshop or a second structure, or if the home borders farmland.
- CDD and HOA. Newer subdivisions may have CDD assessments. Read the current tax bill.
- Flood zone. Check the flood map and drainage for the lot.
Compare Dover with nearby areas using the Plant City ZIP code guide and is Plant City a good place to live.
Common questions
Is Dover, FL a city?+
No. Dover is an unincorporated census-designated place in Hillsborough County, so the county provides local government, zoning and permitting. The census-designated place had 3,266 residents in 2020, while the wider Dover ZIP code, 33527, had 16,259. Ask the county which services apply to a specific parcel.
How much are homes in Dover, FL?+
Zillow's typical Dover home value was $427,575 in August 2026, down 0.6% from a year earlier. That is above Plant City's $340,391 and Valrico's $414,955. Prices vary widely across the large 33527 ZIP, so compare similar homes. Across the Tampa metro, 31.2% of listings had a price cut in August 2026.
Is Dover more expensive than Plant City?+
Yes, on Zillow's typical values. Dover was at $427,575 in August 2026, about $87,000 above Plant City's $340,391. Plant City's own ZIPs ranged from $281,273 in 33563 to $396,377 in 33565. Compare individual homes on lot size, age and condition rather than area averages.
Where is Dover, FL located?+
Dover is in eastern Hillsborough County, about 6 miles west of Plant City and 7 miles northeast of Brandon. It is reached by US 92, with I-4 nearby, which connects the area to Tampa and Lakeland. The census-designated place itself covers 2.64 square miles.
What high school serves Dover, FL?+
Strawberry Crest High School, at Gallagher Road and US 92 in Dover, opened on August 25, 2009 and offers the International Baccalaureate program. School assignment depends on the address, so check Hillsborough County Public Schools boundary information for the specific home before you buy.
Are there new homes in Dover, FL?+
Yes. In September 2026, NewHomeSource listed LGI Homes' Lake Gallagher Estates in ZIP 33527 with plans from $548,900 to $628,900 and about 1,680 to 2,409 square feet, and Sunrise Homes' Durant Ridge without a published price. Ask each builder about lot size, HOA dues and any CDD assessment on the tax bill.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Dover, Florida
- Zip-Codes.com: ZIP Code 33527 profile
- Zillow Research: Home Value Index and market data, August 2026
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey, September 24, 2026
- Wikipedia: Strawberry Crest High School
- NewHomeSource: New home communities in Plant City, FL (September 2026 listings)
- Wikipedia: Edward Medard Park and Reservoir
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: Homestead and other exemptions
- Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Hillsborough County: Water and sewer (unincorporated county service)
- Florida Statutes 196.011: Annual application for exemption (March 1)
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Hillsborough County: Trash and recycling
Florida home prices, once a month.
What changed in Florida home values and mortgage rates, from our housing tracker, plus new guides. Free, one email a month, unsubscribe any time.
Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
More about Antonio and how the service works →