Dawson Springs, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dawson Springs, Kentucky had a total population of 1,951, the 173rd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $32,838, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.3% 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 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Dawson Springs Quick Facts
How Dawson Springs 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 | 1,973 | 1,951 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $31,607 | $32,838 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $73,500 | $70,000 | -4.8% |
How Dawson Springs 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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dawson Springs Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Hopkins County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madisonville | 19,515 | $53,860 | 23.3% | $164,100 |
| Earlington | 1,084 | $38,194 | 39.3% | $64,000 |
| White Plains | 1,021 | $35,625 | 26.4% | $85,700 |
| Hanson | 958 | $95,903 | 7.6% | $141,500 |
| Nortonville | 904 | $55,844 | 14.5% | $69,000 |
| Mortons Gap | 650 | N/A | 24.6% | $96,800 |
| St. Charles | 293 | $44,688 | 33.8% | $55,700 |
| Nebo | 217 | $49,844 | 14.3% | $95,000 |
| Manitou | 93 | $110,313 | 0.0% | $131,000 |
Cities Similar to Dawson Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munfordville | 1,893 | $32,621 | $119,000 | 10.4% | 33.3% |
| Jackson | 2,015 | $32,683 | $77,500 | 13.7% | 27.1% |
| Cumberland | 2,037 | $35,410 | $66,500 | 12.3% | 52.8% |
| Sturgis | 1,864 | $36,780 | $84,500 | 14.4% | 16.4% |
| Hickman | 2,115 | $34,653 | $70,800 | 15.8% | 31.6% |
Population Overview
Dawson Springs is a small community located in Kentucky, within Hopkins County. The total population is 1,951. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson Springs is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.1% 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 is $32,838. This is 48% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 59% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.5%. This is 90% 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 131% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $70,000. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Dawson Springs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dawson Springs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.9%.
Education
6.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dawson Springs, Kentucky 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 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Kentucky city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dawson Springs, Kentucky?
Dawson Springs, Kentucky has a population of 1,951 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson Springs, KY?
The median household income in Dawson Springs is $32,838, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson Springs, KY?
The poverty rate in Dawson Springs is 30.5%. This means approximately 562 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson Springs, Kentucky?
Dawson Springs's population is 87.4% White, 6.9% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson Springs, KY?
The median home value in Dawson Springs is $70,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Dawson Springs, Kentucky?
6.3% of adults (25+) in Dawson Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.