At a Glance
Median Income
$53,594
$24,773 per capita
Home Value
$89,100
Zillow: $160,966
Median Rent
$910/mo
18.9% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
8.2%
86.9% high school+
Unemployment
8.8%
21.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
31.9%
21.8% 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
3.0 / 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 $53,594 , which is 29% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $24,773. The unemployment rate stands at 8.8% (144% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 21.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 9,132 business establishments, including 780 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Dawson is $89,100 , 68% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $160,966. Median rent is $910/month, with 18.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1938.
Education
8.2% of adults in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(76% below the national average).
86.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.7/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 46.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Data Overview
People
Population387
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density2,276/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Foreign Born0.0%
Veterans3.5%
Economy
C
Median Income$53,594
Per Capita$24,773
Unemployment8.8%
Poverty21.9%
County GDP$19,388M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,087
Housing
A+
Home Value$89,100
Rent$910
Ownership73.3%
Zillow$160,966
Housing Units174
Rent Burden18.9%
Health
Obesity31.9%
Diabetes10.3%
Smoking21.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death8,507/100K
Climate
Avg Temp52°F
Rain46.9 in/yr
AQI39 (Good)
Elevation851 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+8.2%
High School+86.9%
Graduate+0.4%
School Score6.7/10
Community
2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute24 min
Broadband75.8%
Internet Speed167 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries22
Did You Know?
Dawson was founded in 1866.
The median home in Dawson was built in 1938.
The nearest airport is Arnold Palmer Regional (20 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.451 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
18.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 167 Mbps.
There are 780 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 32 fatal vehicle crashes.