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CITY

Dawson

Illinois · 507 residents (2025 est.) · 0.792 sq mi
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The short version

Dawson has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $76,339. Population has grown 15% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $91,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
536
+15%since 2000
from 466 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
677 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 588 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.1
+9%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:507 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4465075686286891990201020202024Dawson
2024536
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,339
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,943
+98%since 2000
from $19,686 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.4%
+38.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.356
+16%since 2010
from 0.306 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade12.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction9.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade8.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information6.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing1%
US avg: 0.4%
Public administration1%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$91,000
−32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $73,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$850
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $465 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.1%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 82.4% in 2000
22.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.5%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
23.5%
−14.7 ptssince 2009
from 38.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
−17%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
30
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dawson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(459)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.1%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(517)
Black0.4%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(7)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.9%(10)
Diversity Score8.6%(46)
Diversity Score
9
+700%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.4%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 88.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.2 min
+99%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.9%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 91.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
27.9%
+26.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.0%
−7.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
69.3%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 72.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.5%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.3%
−47.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2012
from 13.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.6%
−88.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.5%
+30.7 ptssince 2017
from 60.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Dawson to nearby cities

DAWSON VS
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Income$66,064−13%
Home value$162,100+78%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DAWSON VS
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Income$106,773+40%
Home value$243,200+167%
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DAWSON VS
Lincoln
Income$57,340−25%
Home value$124,300+37%
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DAWSON VS
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Income$57,552−25%
Home value$104,100+14%
Population10,522+1975%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Dawson, Illinois?

Dawson, Illinois has about 536 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dawson, Illinois?

The typical household in Dawson, Illinois earns about $76,339 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dawson, Illinois expensive?

In Dawson, Illinois, the median home is worth about $91,000, and the typical rent is about $850 a month.

How educated are people in Dawson, Illinois?

About 10.4% of adults age 25 and over in Dawson, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dawson, Illinois?

About 6.6% of people in Dawson, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dawson, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Dawson, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 35 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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