Dawson borough, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Dawson borough, Pennsylvania has a total population of 387, the 1466th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $53,594, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.3%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Dawson borough Quick Facts
How Dawson borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dawson borough Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniontown city | 9,819 | $35,451 | 26.0% | $87,600 |
| Connellsville city | 6,914 | $47,176 | 17.9% | $117,200 |
| Masontown borough | 3,238 | $49,536 | 38.0% | $116,700 |
| Brownsville borough | 2,539 | $28,656 | 36.6% | $63,900 |
| South Connellsville borough | 1,848 | $49,821 | 21.2% | $98,000 |
| North Belle Vernon borough | 1,650 | $52,928 | 19.0% | $112,300 |
| Perryopolis borough | 1,483 | $56,607 | 15.3% | $176,300 |
| Fairchance borough | 1,429 | $38,427 | 28.7% | $159,000 |
| Point Marion borough | 1,151 | $50,781 | 28.1% | $94,700 |
| Smithfield borough | 1,086 | $76,250 | 9.3% | $169,600 |
Cities Similar to Dawson borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry CDP | 379 | N/A | $115,000 | 10.1% | 10.5% |
| Kimberton CDP | 377 | N/A | $397,800 | 57.1% | 0.0% |
| Smithton borough | 388 | $56,250 | $104,800 | 22.5% | 37.4% |
| Wilmore borough | 388 | $56,750 | $105,400 | 16.9% | 29.0% |
| Fredonia borough | 382 | $48,571 | $94,600 | 17.4% | 23.3% |
Population Overview
Dawson borough is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Fayette County. The total population is 387. It ranks as the 1466th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson borough is 40.8 years. This is about average than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dawson borough is $53,594. This is 30% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.3%. This is 115% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 8.8%. This is 67% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $89,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $240,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Dawson borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dawson borough has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.5% of all residents.
Education
8.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dawson borough, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dawson borough, Pennsylvania?
Dawson borough, Pennsylvania has a population of 387 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson borough, PA?
The median household income in Dawson borough is $53,594, which is 32% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson borough, PA?
The poverty rate in Dawson borough is 25.3%. This means approximately 98 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson borough, Pennsylvania?
Dawson borough's population is 98.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson borough, PA?
The median home value in Dawson borough is $89,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Dawson borough, Pennsylvania?
8.2% of adults (25+) in Dawson borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.