It is located in the municipality of Groningen, about 4 km northwest of the city center.

[3] Recent construction of new residential areas have brought the city to less than 500 meters from the village of Dorkwerd, and the postal authorities have placed it under Groningen.

van der Aa,[6] Dorkwerd (also written Dorkwert or Dorquert) consisted of 19 houses, with a population of almost 140.

The village was first mentioned in 1335 as Dorquerth, and means terp probably in combination with dregs (sediment settled in the water).

[7] Dorkwerd was built on a terp (artificial living hill).