Dawson Springs city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Dawson Springs city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 1,973. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Dawson Springs city is 44.3 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Dawson Springs city is $31,607. This is 49% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 60% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.9%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 11.3%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $73,500. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Dawson Springs city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Dawson Springs city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.8%.

Education

5.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Dawson Springs city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.