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Dawson, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Dawson is a small town in Iowa with a population of 108. Residents earn $65,667 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
108 Population 216/sq mi density
$65,667 Median Income $36,113 per capita
$82,000 Home Value $245,285 Zillow
$642 Median Rent 13.6% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$65,667 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$82,000 home value, $642/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,667
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $82,000
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.6%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $642
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

How Dawson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population108
Median Age44.5 yrs
Density216/mi²
Male / Female65% / 35%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans92.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,667
Per Capita$36,113
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$11,107M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$82,000
Rent$642
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$245,285
Housing Units73
Rent Burden13.6%

Health

Obesity35.8%
Uninsured7.0%
Smoking15.2%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.1 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation1,036 ft (316 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.6%
High School+87.1%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute21 min
Broadband54.0%
Libraries12

Is Dawson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dawson receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Dawson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dawson is $65,667, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dawson is $82,000, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $642 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Dawson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dawson has a population of 108 with a density of 216 people per square mile. The median age is 44.5 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.3%).

Population

108
Total Population
216
People / sq mi
44.5yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 64.8%
Female 35.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Dawson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dawson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dawson is $65,667, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Dawson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,667
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,113
Avg Weekly Wage$1,468
IRS Avg AGI$126,108

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,600
County GDP$11,107M

Business (County)

Restaurants211
Healthcare263
Retail299
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,070
102% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.62%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.1 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Dawson is $82,000, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $642 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $245,285.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$82,000
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$245,285

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$642
45% below US avg
Rent Burden13.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.5%
Housing Units73
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,070
102% above US avg
Effective Rate8.62%
In Dawson, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.0% of residents lack health insurance. 15.2% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Dawson vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma9.9%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.2%
9% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress12.0%
Short Sleep30.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.7%
Uninsured7.0%
19% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.2%
Dental Visits65.7%
Premature Death4,244/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.5/10
Exercise Access68.5%
Healthcare Facilities263
Dawson has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.1 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.1 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,036 ft (316 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density216/sq mi
Coordinates41.8431°N, 94.2203°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19049
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 8.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 4.8-point margin. 54.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.7%
D 46.9%

Winner: Republican by 4.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.6%
74% below US avg
High School+87.1%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density216/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access54.0%
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities263
Restaurants211
Retail Stores299

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.1 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.0%

Nearby Cities

Perry, IA 7,928 pop · 6.6 mi Panora, IA 1,520 pop · 12.8 mi Jefferson, IA 4,164 pop · 14.6 mi Woodward, IA 1,002 pop · 15.4 mi Dallas Center, IA 2,058 pop · 16.5 mi Ogden, IA 1,902 pop · 16.8 mi Guthrie Center, IA 1,603 pop · 18.4 mi Adel, IA 6,259 pop · 19.4 mi Madrid, IA 2,803 pop · 20.7 mi Granger, IA 1,919 pop · 21.2 mi Boone, IA 12,445 pop · 22.9 mi Coon Rapids, IA 1,403 pop · 23.7 mi Stuart, IA 1,642 pop · 24.2 mi Grimes, IA 15,810 pop · 24.4 mi
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