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Dover is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,815 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Dover is located at (40.003846, -76.849397).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²), all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,815 people, 770 households, and 489 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,401.6/km² (3,623.6/mi²). There were 790 housing units at an average density of 610.0/km² (1,577.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.47% White, 1.05% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.
There were 770 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $41,250, and the median income for a family was $46,086. Males had a median income of $33,796 versus $22,826 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,108. About 4.3% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Education
Dover's public schools are operated by the Dover Area School District.
Intelligent design controversy
Dover received national attention in 2004-05, after the Dover Area School District voted to include the following statement about intelligent design in the biology curriculum of its schools:
- The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin's Theory of Evolution and eventually to take a standardized test of which evolution is a part.
- Because Darwin's Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered. The Theory is not a fact. Gaps in the Theory exist for which there is no evidence. A theory is defined as a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations.
- Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin's view. The reference book Of Pandas and People is available for students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves.
- With respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open mind. The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to individual students and their families. As a Standards-driven district, class instruction focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on Standards-based assessments.
The controversial ruling triggered the court case Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District in late 2005.
In an upset, on November 8, 2005, the eight Republican school board members who voted for the ruling were all defeated by the challengers on the Democratic ticket--four Democrats and four Republicans--who opposed the teaching of intelligent design in a science class. Two days later, Pat Robertson commented on the election results on the 700 Club *:
- I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city.
- God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in his eye forever. If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them.
On December 20, 2005, Judge John E. Jones III ruled in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that a public school district in Pennsylvania cannot teach Intelligent Design in a science class room. *
External links
- Robertson: God May Smite Down Town, a November 2005 Fox News article
"Dover, Pennsylvania"