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Dawson, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Dawson is a small town in Illinois with a population of 555. Residents earn $82,880 per year, which is 10% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
555 Population 703/sq mi density
$82,880 Median Income $39,447 per capita
$97,500 Home Value $226,241 Zillow
$805 Median Rent 26.4% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$82,880 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$97,500 home value, $805/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,880
10% higher than US avg
Home Value $97,500
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.7%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $805
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

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

People

Population555
Median Age41.0 yrs
Density703/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans7.2%

Economy

A+
Median Income$82,880
Per Capita$39,447
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$15,669M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$97,500
Rent$805
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$226,241
Housing Units289
Rent Burden26.4%

Health

Obesity37.9%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking13.7%
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.0 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation596 ft (182 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.7%
High School+94.5%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute22 min
Broadband91.2%
Libraries13

Is Dawson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dawson receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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 $82,880, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dawson is $97,500, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $805 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

9.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Dawson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.0 inches, including 21.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dawson has a population of 555 with a density of 703 people per square mile. The median age is 41.0 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%), with 3.4% Black.

Population

555
Total Population
703
People / sq mi
41.0yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Dawson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dawson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dawson is $82,880, which is 10% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Dawson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,880
10% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,447
Avg Weekly Wage$1,334
IRS Avg AGI$83,001

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,970
County GDP$15,669M

Business (County)

Restaurants544
Healthcare489
Retail672
Manufacturing92

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,281
108% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate7.47%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.0 min
Drive Alone68.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home26.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Dawson is $97,500, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $805 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $226,241.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$97,500
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$226,241

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$805
31% below US avg
Rent Burden26.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.2%
Housing Units289
Median Year Built1974

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,281
108% above US avg
Effective Rate7.47%
In Dawson, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 23.7% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.0%
Short Sleep35.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.0%
Dental Visits63.6%
Premature Death8,880/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access87.6%
Healthcare Facilities489
Dawson has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.0 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.0°F
0% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.0 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall21.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation596 ft (182 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density703/sq mi
Coordinates39.8530°N, 89.4619°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17167
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 9.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5-point margin. 91.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.6%
D 46.6%

Winner: Republican by 5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.7%
71% below US avg
High School+94.5%
Graduate Degree+0.9%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density703/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.2%
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities489
Restaurants544
Retail Stores672

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.0 min
Drive Alone68.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home26.0%

Nearby Cities

Riverton, IL 3,506 pop · 4.0 mi Sherman, IL 4,211 pop · 8.0 mi Williamsville, IL 1,519 pop · 8.3 mi Grandview, IL 1,077 pop · 8.6 mi Rochester, IL 3,784 pop · 9.3 mi Springfield, IL 113,714 pop · 10.6 mi Southern View, IL 1,838 pop · 12.2 mi Leland Grove, IL 1,595 pop · 12.8 mi Jerome, IL 1,910 pop · 12.9 mi Edinburg, IL 1,163 pop · 14.0 mi Mount Pulaski, IL 1,513 pop · 14.4 mi Athens, IL 2,146 pop · 15.7 mi Chatham, IL 14,740 pop · 17.4 mi Kincaid, IL 1,243 pop · 18.5 mi
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