Dawson, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dawson, Minnesota had a total population of 1,513, the 300th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $68,929, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
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 | 1,441 | 1,513 | +5.0% |
| Median household income | $70,286 | $68,929 | -1.9% |
| Median home value | $118,800 | $137,500 | +15.7% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dawson Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Lac qui Parle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renville | 1,503 | $69,306 | $126,400 | 18.7% | 13.1% |
| Lakefield | 1,507 | $71,648 | $133,800 | 18.7% | 10.5% |
| St. John's University | 1,580 | N/A | N/A | 78.6% | 28.4% |
| Clara City | 1,466 | $63,636 | $114,300 | 16.5% | 7.3% |
| Richmond | 1,431 | $71,438 | $241,300 | 17.8% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Dawson is a small community located in Minnesota, within Lac qui Parle County. The total population is 1,513. It ranks as the 300th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson is 44.5 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.0% 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 is $68,929. This is 23% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Dawson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dawson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dawson, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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, Minnesota?
Dawson, Minnesota has a population of 1,513 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson, MN?
The median household income in Dawson is $68,929, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson, MN?
The poverty rate in Dawson is 7.6%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson, Minnesota?
Dawson's population is 85.2% White, 0.6% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson, MN?
The median home value in Dawson is $137,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Dawson, Minnesota?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.