City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Dawson Springs, KY

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

1,973
Residents
$31,607
Median income
$73,500
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Dawson Springs - the verdict

Nationally, Dawson Springs sits in the 3rd percentile for household income and the 74th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

3rd
percentile, household income
2nd
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
74th
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 Springs, KY

Dawson Springs is a small town in Kentucky, home to 1,973 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Dawson Springs households earn a median of $31,607 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 22.0%. Typical homes in Dawson Springs are valued around $73,500, and the median resident age is 44.3 years. About 5.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 28.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Dawson Springs reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 748.3 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kentucky scores 90.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $866 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Kentucky, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 39.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,973 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$31,607 /yr

Poverty 22.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Dawson Springs compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 2% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 74% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kentucky, Dawson Springs ranks #84 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Kentucky-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Dawson Springs near the bottom of Kentucky's cities

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Dawson Springs ranks #366 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Dawson Springs only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#441 of 485
9th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#366 of 520
0th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#447 of 484
8th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#124 of 519
76th percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#465 of 520
10th percentile in Kentucky

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 Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

3rdIncome percentile
74thSafety percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income · 74th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Dawson Springs's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Dawson Springs'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 59 Avg. percentile National median
Dawson Springs'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 Springs's home value compares nationally

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

$73,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 98% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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 Springs $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 Springs, KY Dawson Springs, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dawson Springs, KY-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 Springs, KY median $31,607/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 Springs, KY'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 Springs, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 5.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 28.8%

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

Population
1,973
Median Income
$31,607
Median Home Value
$73,500
Median Age
44.3
Poverty Rate
22.0%
Labor force participation
28.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
5.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
748.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
93.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
654.8
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
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,100 residents2,200 residents2,300 residents2,400 residents2,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,451 residents 2,231 residents ▼ -9.0%
Dawson Springs's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.7%
Carpool
5.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
1.4%

Based on 422 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky 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 Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Dawson Springs sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$866/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
39.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Albany
1,972 people
Owingsville
1,977 people
Hurstbourne Acres
1,984 people
Beattyville
1,948 people
Whitesburg
1,998 people
Orchard Grass Hills
2,008 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dawson Springs's 1,973 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Salt Creek Commons, IN
1,973 people
Saranac, MI
1,973 people
Forest Ranch, CA
1,974 people
Century, FL
1,972 people
Groton, NY
1,974 people
Amity, OR
1,972 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dawson Springs's $31,607 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Beaverton, MI
$31,625 median income
Kingstown, NC
$31,625 median income
Monroeville, AL
$31,629 median income
Eutaw, AL
$31,583 median income
Winnsboro, LA
$31,635 median income
Coburn, PA
$31,635 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dawson Springs, KY 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 Springs, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.4% White 96.3% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 1.4% 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 Springs compares to nearby Kentucky 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 Springs (this city) 1,973 $31,607
Albany 1,972 $40,301
Owingsville 1,977 $40,150
Hurstbourne Acres 1,984 $68,229
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dawson Springs, KY?

What is the population of Dawson Springs, KY? +

Dawson Springs, KY counts 1,973 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Dawson Springs, KY? +

Dawson Springs households earn a median of $31,607 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dawson Springs? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Dawson Springs; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Dawson Springs, KY safe? +

Dawson Springs has a total crime rate of 748.3 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 Springs, KY? +

A typical home in Dawson Springs is worth $73,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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.