Dawson, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Dallas County County
3.7
/5.0
B+
Good
108
Population
216/sq mi density
$65,667
Median Income
$36,113 per capita
$82,000
Home Value
$261,778 Zillow
$642
Median Rent
13.6% income on rent
49°F
Avg Temperature
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
Dawson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.1 inches. The area receives 31.7 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 48.9°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,036 ft (316 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 216/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8431°N, 94.2203°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dallas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.4 in |
Dawson has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (1.0").