At a Glance
Median Income
$82,880
$39,447 per capita
Home Value
$97,500
Zillow: $236,936
Median Rent
$805/mo
26.4% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
9.7%
94.5% high school+
Unemployment
2.6%
2.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
37.9%
13.7% smoking rate
How Dawson Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Dawson's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Dawson a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.8 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Dawson residents earn a median household income of $82,880 , which is 10% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $39,447. The unemployment rate stands at 2.6% (28% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 4,970 business establishments, including 544 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Dawson is $97,500 , 65% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $236,936. Median rent is $805/month, with 26.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1974.
Education
9.7% of adults in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(71% below the national average).
94.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.4/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Data Overview
People
Population555
Median Age41.0 yrs
Density703/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born1.3%
Veterans7.2%
Economy
A+
Median Income$82,880
Per Capita$39,447
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$15,669M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,334
Housing
A+
Home Value$97,500
Rent$805
Ownership76.2%
Zillow$236,936
Housing Units289
Rent Burden26.4%
Health
Obesity37.9%
Diabetes8.7%
Smoking13.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
Premature Death8,880/100K
Climate
Avg Temp54°F
Rain38.6 in/yr
AQI41 (Good)
Elevation596 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+9.7%
High School+94.5%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score5.4/10
Community
2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute22 min
Broadband91.2%
Internet Speed110 Mbps
EV Stations33
Libraries13
Did You Know?
Dawson was founded in 1883.
The median home in Dawson was built in 1974.
26.0% work from home.
The nearest airport is Central Il Regional/Bloomington-Normal (52 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.460 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
15.4% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 110 Mbps.
There are 544 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 30 fatal vehicle crashes.