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Dobson town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Dobson town, North Carolina has a total population of 1,521, the 382nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $44,531, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.

Key Takeaways

Dobson town Quick Facts

Population 1,521
Median Household Income $44,531
Median Home Value $168,300
Poverty Rate 16.1%
Unemployment Rate 6.6%
Median Age 37.9 years
Homeownership Rate 41.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 19.1%
High School Graduation Rate 79.3%
Diversity Index 53/100
Population 1,521 382nd of 774
Median Income $44,531 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 16.1% 29% higher national
Median Home Value $168,300 average

How Dobson town Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
42.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 41.3%
Renter 58.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

53out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Dobson town Rankings in North Carolina

#382 Population of 774
#534 Median Income of 774
#442 Education of 774
#434 Home Value of 774

Other Cities in Surry County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Franklin town 4,221 $43,991 21.6% $190,600
Elkin town 4,025 $60,434 23.0% $187,200

Cities Similar to Dobson town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Rose Hill town1,501$44,722$116,2009.1%23.1%
Princeville town1,502$49,583$99,1006.8%24.1%
Weldon town1,522$38,725$96,00018.2%24.8%
Bethel town1,528$51,489$114,00017.1%12.0%
Pilot Mountain town1,584$48,239$185,20021.7%15.4%

Population Overview

Dobson town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Surry County. The total population is 1,521. It ranks as the 382nd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Dobson town is 37.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 11.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Dobson town is $44,531. This is 36% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $168,300. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 41.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Dobson town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.6%.

Education

19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Dobson town, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Dobson town, North Carolina?

Dobson town, North Carolina has a population of 1,521 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Dobson town, NC?

The median household income in Dobson town is $44,531, which is 43% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Dobson town, NC?

The poverty rate in Dobson town is 16.1%. This means approximately 188 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Dobson town, North Carolina?

Dobson town's population is 65.7% White, 13.6% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Dobson town, NC?

The median home value in Dobson town is $168,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.

How educated is Dobson town, North Carolina?

19.1% of adults (25+) in Dobson town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.