County · Nebraska
Dawson County, Nebraska
Dawson County, Nebraska. Dawson County had 24,452 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 8 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 31047.
Dawson County is one of the 2 counties of the Lexington, NE micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
24,452
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,111 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,202
Median household income
$69,880
±$4,325 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$166,200
±$6,735 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$925
±$29 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Dawson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 24,111 residents in Dawson County. The Census Bureau estimates 24,452 for July 1, 2025, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 24,202 over 1,014 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dawson County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,202 | 1,978,707 | +469 |
| Households | 9,145±180 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.62±0.05 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,958±37 | 863,444 | −310 |
Dawson County's population since 2000
From 24,365 in 2000 to 24,452 in 2025: up 0.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Dawson County?
Dawson County holds 8 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Lexington with 11,176 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lexington | 10,348 | $67,666 |
|---|---|---|
| Cozad | 3,988 | $54,471 |
| Gothenburg | 3,478 | $79,219 |
| Overton | 607 | $55,000 |
| SumnerGEOID 3147675 | 252 | $70,000 |
| Farnam | 182 | $45,417 |
| EddyvilleGEOID 3114380 | 88 | $95,461 |
| Willow IslandGEOID 3153205 | 25 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Dawson County?
The median resident of Dawson County is 35.6 years old; 27.8% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 37.4%. 22.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dawson County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6±0.4 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.8%±0.1 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 37.4% | 12.7% | +4.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.8%±0.3 pts | 75.3% | −6.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.4%±0.9 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 22.7%±2.0 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 37.2%±1.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±0.8 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.9%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.9%±1.8 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 77.9%±2.6 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.6%±2.1 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.4%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.7 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Dawson County earn?
Half of Dawson County's 9,145 households earn less than $69,880 a year (±$4,325), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $66,114 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dawson County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,880±$4,325 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,897±$10,082 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,285±$7,145 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.8%±2.3 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6%±4.9 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.2%±1.9 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.7%±2.8 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Dawson County?
Owners occupy 66.4% of Dawson County's occupied homes and renters 33.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,200 by its owner (±$6,735). The median renter pays $925 a month including utilities, and 23.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dawson County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $166,200±$6,735 | $238,600 | +$39,931 |
| Median gross rent | $925±$29 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.1%±6.5 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,420±$84 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.4%±3.2 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,958±37 | 863,444 | −310 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.8%±2.8 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.4%±1.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7%±1.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.9%±2.8 pts | 18.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Dawson County building?
Builders took permits for 31 new housing units across Dawson County in 2025 (27 single-family), 1.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Dawson County get to work?
78.8% of Dawson County's workers drive alone and 2.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.4%.
| Measure | Dawson County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.2%±2.1 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | −2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.8%±2.8 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.6%±2.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.5 min±1.7 | 19.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Dawson County's census tracts?
Dawson County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,135 (Tract 9683) to $98,167 (Tract 9680).
| Tract 968031047968000 | 2,563±221 | $98,167 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 968131047968100 | 1,319±179 | $90,750 |
| Tract 968231047968200 | 3,683±163 | $80,825 |
| Tract 968331047968300 | 4,001±68 | $54,135 |
| Tract 968431047968400 | 5,557±386 | $66,444 |
| Tract 968531047968500 | 5,490±418 | $68,040 |
| Tract 968631047968600 | 1,589±204 | $82,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Dawson County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 28th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 93 |
| Median household income | 40th of 93 |
| Median home value | 42nd of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 38th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 90th of 93 |
| Median age | 86th of 93 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Dawson County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.