Dawson, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dawson, Georgia had a total population of 4,247, the 194th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $28,533, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 53.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (53.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Dawson Quick Facts
How Dawson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,292 | 4,247 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $29,046 | $28,533 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $94,800 | $106,200 | +12.0% |
How Dawson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dawson Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Terrell County
Cities Similar to Dawson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashburn | 4,231 | $29,583 | $101,000 | 7.3% | 26.3% |
| Summerville | 4,408 | $32,662 | $99,000 | 6.5% | 25.5% |
| Baxley | 4,888 | $29,880 | $72,300 | 12.4% | 32.2% |
| Metter | 3,989 | $35,759 | $156,300 | 16.1% | 15.2% |
| Hazlehurst | 4,092 | $38,616 | $145,300 | 16.3% | 28.2% |
Population Overview
Dawson is a small community located in Georgia, within Terrell County. The total population is 4,247. It ranks as the 194th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson is 38.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dawson is $28,533. This is 63% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 65% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 53.8%. This is 302% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $106,200. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 36.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dawson has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.0%) is well below the state average of 49.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (85.5% vs 30.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dawson, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dawson, Georgia?
Dawson, Georgia has a population of 4,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson, GA?
The median household income in Dawson is $28,533, which is 65% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson, GA?
The poverty rate in Dawson is 53.8%. This means approximately 2,248 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson, Georgia?
Dawson's population is 14.0% White, 85.5% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson, GA?
The median home value in Dawson is $106,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Dawson, Georgia?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.