Dobson, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dobson, North Carolina had a total population of 1,652, the 372nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $43,750, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Dobson Quick Facts
How Dobson 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 | 1,521 | 1,652 | +8.6% |
| Median household income | $44,531 | $43,750 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $168,300 | $173,900 | +3.3% |
How Dobson 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dobson Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Surry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | 26.9% | $181,900 |
| Elkin | 4,043 | $60,740 | 22.3% | $226,900 |
| Pilot Mountain | 1,483 | $49,200 | 12.4% | $203,600 |
| Flat Rock | 1,062 | $42,018 | 11.9% | $95,400 |
| Toast | 893 | $35,111 | 14.0% | $104,800 |
| White Plains | 795 | $44,242 | 10.7% | $231,700 |
| Lowgap | 264 | $60,368 | 8.7% | $163,500 |
Cities Similar to Dobson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | $215,400 | 15.3% | 9.7% |
| Princeville | 1,619 | $46,406 | $106,000 | 8.1% | 36.2% |
| Weldon | 1,642 | $48,350 | $100,500 | 17.9% | 17.5% |
| Hertford | 1,618 | $40,250 | $176,500 | 12.2% | 24.7% |
| Gorman | 1,591 | $47,297 | N/A | 22.5% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Dobson is a small community located in North Carolina, within Surry County. The total population is 1,652. It ranks as the 372nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dobson is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dobson is $43,750. This is 40% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.4%. This is 72% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 4.9%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $173,900. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dobson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.6% vs 11.3%).
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dobson, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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 Dobson, North Carolina?
Dobson, North Carolina has a population of 1,652 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dobson, NC?
The median household income in Dobson is $43,750, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dobson, NC?
The poverty rate in Dobson is 22.4%. This means approximately 298 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dobson, North Carolina?
Dobson's population is 60.7% White, 11.3% Black, 21.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dobson, NC?
The median home value in Dobson is $173,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Dobson, North Carolina?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Dobson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.