Dawson Springs, KY

Kentucky

Dawson Springs is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 1,973. Residents earn $31,607 per year, which is 58% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,973 Population 514/sq mi density
$31,607 Median Income $20,609 per capita
$73,500 Home Value $119,650 Zillow
$546 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
36 Violent Crime/100K 1,417 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$31,607 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$73,500 home value, $546/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
36 violent crimes/100K (90% below avg)
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,607
58% lower than US avg
Home Value $73,500
74% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 36/100K
90% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.0%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $546
53% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.0%
77% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,973
Median Age44.3 yrs
Density514/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

C+
Median Income$31,607
Per Capita$20,609
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty22.0%
County GDP$543M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$73,500
Rent$546
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$119,650

Crime

F
Violent36/100K
Property1,417/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault36/100K
Burglary727/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain50.9 in/yr
Elevation464 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.0%
High School+78.8%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute22 min
Libraries2

Is Dawson Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dawson Springs receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Dawson Springs has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dawson Springs is $31,607, 58% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 22.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dawson Springs is $73,500, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $546 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Dawson Springs is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 36 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,417 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Dawson Springs enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.9 inches, including 8.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Dawson Springs has a population of 1,973 with a density of 514 people per square mile. The median age is 44.3 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

1,973
Total Population
514
People / sq mi
44.3yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.7%
Female 57.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Dawson Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dawson Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dawson Springs is $31,607, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Dawson Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,607
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,609
Avg Weekly Wage$842
IRS Avg AGI$53,817

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.0%
77% above US avg
Establishments (County)380
County GDP$543M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare25
Retail56
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,653
53% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Work from Home5.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Dawson Springs is $73,500, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $546 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $119,650.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$73,500
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$119,650
Median List Price$132,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$132,450
$/Sq Ft$59
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.1%
Price Drops42.9%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$546
53% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,653
53% below US avg
Effective Rate2.25%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Premature Death12,822/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access57.0%
Healthcare Facilities25
Dawson Springs has a violent crime rate of 36 per 100,000 residents, 90% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,417 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Dawson Springs vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent36.3/100K
90% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault36.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,417.2/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary726.7/100K
Theft617.7/100K
Vehicle Theft72.7/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Dawson Springs has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.6°F
9% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.9 inches
34% above US avg
Snowfall8.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation464 ft (141 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²)
Population Density514/sq mi
Coordinates37.1742°N, 87.6886°W
County FIPS21033
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.5%
D 20.3%

Winner: Republican by 58.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.0%
85% below US avg
High School+78.8%
School Test Score5.50
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density514/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants28
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Work from Home5.9%

Nearby Cities

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