County · Texas
Dawson County, Texas
Dawson County, Texas. Dawson County had 11,776 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.5% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 48115.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,776
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,456 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,134
Median household income
$54,360
±$12,783 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$103,400
±$14,599 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$777
±$231 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Dawson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,456 residents in Dawson County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,776 for July 1, 2025, down 5.5% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,134 over 900 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dawson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,134 | 30,188,424 | −679 |
| Households | 4,043±207 | 10,992,816 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.13 | 2.69 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,903±43 | 12,128,515 | −284 |
Dawson County's population since 2000
From 14,985 in 2000 to 11,776 in 2025: down 21.4%. 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 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Lamesa with 8,103 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 34.8 years old; 24.3% are under 18 and 13.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 55.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 35.2%. 8.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dawson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.8±0.7 | 35.6 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 24.3%±0.7 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.9%±0.5 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 55.8% | 39.7% | −1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 35.2%±0.4 pts | 39.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.5%±0.7 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.4%±2.4 pts | 17.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 34.9%±3.5 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8%±1.3 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 14.6%±2.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 22.5%±4.5 pts | 17.1% | +5.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 72.1%±3.7 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.7%±2.0 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.9%±1.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 4,043 households earn less than $54,360 a year (±$12,783), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $53,214 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dawson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,360±$12,783 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,550±$11,013 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,655±$3,225 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.6%±5.6 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.5%±13.3 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.6%±4.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.7%±4.2 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 70.6% of Dawson County's occupied homes and renters 29.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $103,400 by its owner (±$14,599). The median renter pays $777 a month including utilities, and 42.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dawson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $103,400±$14,599 | $283,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $777±$231 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.1%±16.1 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,412±$161 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.6%±5.5 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,903±43 | 12,128,515 | −284 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4%±2.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±4.9 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 89.2%±2.8 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.5%±1.6 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.8%±4.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 3 new housing units across Dawson County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.3 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?
68.1% of Dawson County's workers drive alone and 3.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Dawson County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.5%±3.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4%±2.4 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.1%±5.5 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 22.1%±5.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.2%±1.8 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 min±2.8 | 26.7 min | +7.5 min |
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 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,373 (Tract 9505) to $81,250 (Tract 9506).
| Tract 9504.0148115950401 | 3,962±511 | $54,323 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9504.0248115950402 | 3,656±339 | $51,645 |
| Tract 950548115950500 | 3,087±475 | $46,373 |
| Tract 950648115950600 | 1,429±213 | $81,250 |
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 Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 153rd of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 227th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 155th of 254 |
| Median household income | 204th of 253 |
| Median home value | 204th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 204th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 37th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 225th of 252 |
| Median age | 205th of 254 |
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.