Dawson, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dawson, Nebraska had a total population of 166, the 385th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $60,913, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
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 3.7% — among the lowest in Nebraska.
- Only 7.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
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 | 193 | 166 | -14.0% |
| Median household income | $58,317 | $60,913 | +4.5% |
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 Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Richardson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls City | 4,077 | $51,706 | 11.4% | $89,800 |
| Humboldt | 775 | $41,786 | 14.4% | $67,500 |
| Shubert | 214 | $37,500 | 8.5% | $61,300 |
| Verdon | 185 | $78,750 | 11.9% | $55,000 |
| Rulo | 164 | $45,625 | 9.2% | $94,600 |
| Stella | 126 | $56,250 | 8.7% | $62,500 |
| Salem | 102 | N/A | 8.8% | $42,500 |
| Barada | 35 | N/A | 8.6% | $69,000 |
| Preston | 16 | $50,417 | 0.0% | $103,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bladen | 166 | $66,875 | $72,500 | 19.5% | 2.4% |
| Oconto | 167 | $55,625 | $60,000 | 27.3% | 6.0% |
| Creston | 170 | $64,792 | $122,700 | 19.1% | 4.7% |
| Talmage | 155 | $63,929 | $83,600 | 19.8% | 27.1% |
| Octavia | 153 | $59,375 | $100,000 | 7.8% | 31.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 166, 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 Nebraska, within Richardson County. The total population is 166. It ranks as the 385th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson is 53.9 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 24.1% 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 is $60,913. This is 20% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.7%. This is 65% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 171% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. 89.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dawson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents.
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dawson, Nebraska 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 Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. 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, Nebraska?
Dawson, Nebraska has a population of 166 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson, NE?
The median household income in Dawson is $60,913, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson, NE?
The poverty rate in Dawson is 3.7%. This means approximately 6 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson, Nebraska?
Dawson's population is 96.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Dawson — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Dawson, Nebraska?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.