In 1893, the Waldheim–Rochlitz railway line was opened with a station (a halt with a team track and a loading stage) at the western edge of Döhlen, on the border to neighbouring Stöbnig. Construction of the line required the removal of part of "Hausberg" hill to make room for the road which had to be relocated. This line was closed to freight in 1996, to passengers in 1997, and decommissioned in 1998. A schoolhouse was built in 1817. It was used until 1897 when a larger one was opened, and turned into a tailor's workshop. The primary school in the new schoolhouse closed in the early 1970s, and the building was transformed into a kindergarten in 1981. Since 2008, the latter has been administered by a foundation of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Saxony. Döhlen is characterised by agriculture. The main enterprises are a large fruit farm ("Obstgut Seelitz"), a fur farm, and a builders' merchant. Public transport is provided by buses to Rochlitz, Geithain, Grimma, and Waldheim.