Dawson, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dawson, Iowa had a total population of 102, the 859th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,313, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.9% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
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 | 108 | 102 | -5.6% |
| Median household income | $65,667 | $65,313 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $82,000 | $92,500 | +12.8% |
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dawson Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee | 29,236 | $101,029 | 7.4% | $350,500 |
| Perry | 7,985 | $68,910 | 8.9% | $121,400 |
| Adel | 6,430 | $95,250 | 7.2% | $327,900 |
| Dallas Center | 2,161 | $95,854 | 8.8% | $246,800 |
| Van Meter | 1,628 | $135,139 | 2.6% | $264,000 |
| De Soto | 1,041 | $97,109 | 7.3% | $227,700 |
| Woodward | 977 | $65,658 | 7.0% | $179,900 |
| Redfield | 780 | $66,094 | 10.0% | $142,800 |
| Dexter | 620 | $87,250 | 5.8% | $163,500 |
| Minburn | 354 | $71,042 | 3.1% | $134,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradgate | 104 | N/A | $43,100 | 8.7% | 13.5% |
| Clemons | 108 | N/A | $96,400 | 13.9% | 0.9% |
| Hamilton | 107 | $63,750 | $70,000 | 9.5% | 19.6% |
| Cromwell | 103 | $58,750 | $101,600 | 10.4% | 10.7% |
| Marne | 98 | $61,875 | $98,800 | 21.3% | 5.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 102, Dawson's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dawson is a small community located in Iowa, within Dallas County. The total population is 102. It ranks as the 859th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson is 54.3 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dawson is $65,313. This is 13% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.9%. This is 65% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Dawson, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $92,500. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Dawson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dawson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dawson, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Dawson, Iowa has a population of 102 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson, IA?
The median household income in Dawson is $65,313, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson, IA?
The poverty rate in Dawson is 3.9%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson, Iowa?
Dawson's population is 95.1% White, 0.0% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson, IA?
The median home value in Dawson is $92,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Dawson, Iowa?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.