City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Dawson, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Dawson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,292
Residents
$29,046
Median income
$94,800
Median home
$1,129
Median rent (state)

Dawson - the verdict

Nationally, Dawson sits in the 2nd percentile for household income and the 46th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

2nd
percentile, household income
8th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
46th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Dawson, GA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,292 residents in Dawson, a small town within Georgia. Median household income here is $29,046 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 41.0%. Typical homes in Dawson are valued around $94,800, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. About 9.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 42.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Dawson (Construction Slowdown), down 60% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Dawson reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1497.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: the state registers 96.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,129 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Georgia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 16.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

4,292 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$29,046 /yr

Poverty 41.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Dawson compare to other US cities?

Dawson measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 2% higher than other cities
Home value 8% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities
Safety 46% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Georgia alone, Dawson ranks #71 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Dawson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Georgia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Georgia-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Dawson's strongest outlier among Georgia cities

Among the 637 Georgia cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Dawson ranks #26 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Dawson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#574 of 610
6th percentile in Georgia
Median Gross Rent
#318 of 638
48th percentile in Georgia
Median Home Value
#468 of 577
19th percentile in Georgia
Poverty Rate
#26 of 637
96th percentile in Georgia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#492 of 638
22nd percentile in Georgia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Georgia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

2ndIncome percentile
46thSafety percentile

2nd percentile nationally for median household income · 46th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Dawson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Dawson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 43 Avg. percentile National median
Dawson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Dawson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$94,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Dawson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Dawson, GA Dawson, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dawson, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Dawson, GA median $29,046/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Dawson, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Dawson, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 41.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 42.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,292
Median Income
$29,046
Median Home Value
$94,800
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
41.0%
Labor force participation
42.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1497.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
483.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1014.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,100 residents4,200 residents4,300 residents4,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,347 residents 4,131 residents ▼ -5.0%
Dawson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 6
2021 7
2022 6
2023 3
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 60% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
65.1%
Carpool
21.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.9%
Work from Home
7.1%
Other
2.1%

Based on 1,259 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Dawson sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,129/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
16.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Chattanooga Valley
4,298 people
Euharlee
4,251 people
Ashburn
4,226 people
Lyons
4,217 people
Jasper
4,374 people
Summerville
4,406 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dawson's 4,292 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Long Hill CDP (Southeastern Connecticut County), CT
4,292 people
Adamsville, AL
4,291 people
Lamar, MO
4,290 people
Holiday City South, NJ
4,294 people
McGovern, PA
4,290 people
Sinking Spring, PA
4,288 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dawson's $29,046 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fair Bluff, NC
$29,063 median income
Cheshire, OR
$29,063 median income
Junior, WV
$29,063 median income
Cannonville, UT
$29,079 median income
Cullison, KS
$29,010 median income
South Shore, KY
$29,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dawson, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Dawson, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 15.2% 84.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 15.2% Black or African American 84.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Dawson compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Dawson (this city) 4,292 $29,046
Chattanooga Valley 4,298 $44,308
Euharlee 4,251 $83,750
Ashburn 4,226 $32,692
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dawson, GA?

What is the population of Dawson, GA? +

Dawson, GA has a population of 4,292 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Dawson, GA? +

Median annual household income in Dawson runs $29,046, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dawson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Dawson; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

Is Dawson, GA safe? +

Dawson has a total crime rate of 1497.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Dawson, GA? +

The median home value in Dawson is $94,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.