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Dawson, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Dawson is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 387. Residents earn $53,594 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
387 Population 2,276/sq mi density
$53,594 Median Income $24,773 per capita
$89,100 Home Value $147,719 Zillow
$910 Median Rent 18.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$53,594 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$89,100 home value, $910/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,594
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $89,100
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.2%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $910
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.9%
77% higher than US avg

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

People

Population387
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density2,276/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans3.5%

Economy

C+
Median Income$53,594
Per Capita$24,773
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty21.9%
County GDP$19,388M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$89,100
Rent$910
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$147,719
Housing Units174
Rent Burden18.9%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation851 ft (259 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.2%
High School+86.9%
Graduate+0.4%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute24 min
Broadband75.8%
Libraries22

Is Dawson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dawson receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. 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 $53,594, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 21.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dawson is $89,100, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $910 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Dawson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 21.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Dawson has a population of 387 with a density of 2,276 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.4%).

Population

387
Total Population
2,276
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Dawson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dawson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dawson is $53,594, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 21.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Dawson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,594
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,773
Avg Weekly Wage$1,087
IRS Avg AGI$80,248

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate21.9%
77% above US avg
Establishments (County)9,132
County GDP$19,388M

Business (County)

Restaurants780
Healthcare1,116
Retail1,146
Manufacturing486

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,108
75% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Drive Alone74.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Dawson is $89,100, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $910 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $147,719.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$89,100
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$147,719

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$910
22% below US avg
Rent Burden18.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.3%
Housing Units174
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,108
75% above US avg
Effective Rate6.86%
Dawson has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall21.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation851 ft (259 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density2,276/sq mi
Coordinates40.0472°N, 79.6569°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42129
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.4-point margin. 75.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.9%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 28.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.2%
76% below US avg
High School+86.9%
Graduate Degree+0.4%
School Test Score5.95
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,276/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.8%
Public Libraries22
Healthcare Facilities1,116
Restaurants780
Retail Stores1,146

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Drive Alone74.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home9.1%

Nearby Cities

Connellsville, PA 6,914 pop · 4.2 mi Scottdale, PA 4,392 pop · 5.3 mi South Connellsville, PA 1,848 pop · 5.7 mi Perryopolis, PA 1,483 pop · 5.8 mi Mount Pleasant, PA 4,215 pop · 9.4 mi Oliver, PA 2,198 pop · 9.7 mi East Uniontown, PA 2,181 pop · 10.7 mi Fairhope, PA 1,113 pop · 10.7 mi Uniontown, PA 9,819 pop · 10.8 mi South Uniontown, PA 1,201 pop · 11.6 mi Bear Rocks, PA 1,239 pop · 11.6 mi Lynnwood-Pricedale, PA 2,316 pop · 11.8 mi Hopwood, PA 1,628 pop · 12.0 mi New Stanton, PA 2,538 pop · 12.4 mi
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