Dawson, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dawson, Texas had a total population of 1,322, the 903rd largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $51,042, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 1,324 | 1,322 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $57,596 | $51,042 | -11.4% |
| Median home value | $125,400 | $140,700 | +12.2% |
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: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dawson Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Navarro County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsicana | 25,511 | $57,212 | 18.1% | $168,900 |
| Kerens | 1,778 | $56,771 | 16.3% | $128,000 |
| Rice | 1,241 | $65,958 | 16.2% | $79,500 |
| Frost | 968 | $115,500 | 7.1% | $123,900 |
| Retreat | 707 | $85,179 | 8.8% | $190,800 |
| Blooming Grove | 658 | $76,771 | 10.1% | $124,200 |
| Angus | 475 | $76,250 | 23.6% | $187,500 |
| Oak Valley | 364 | $85,000 | 13.5% | $114,600 |
| Richland | 353 | $56,667 | 17.3% | $68,900 |
| Mildred | 312 | $81,500 | 16.0% | $177,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubbard | 1,327 | $50,859 | $134,900 | 16.7% | 15.4% |
| San Felipe | 1,334 | $51,875 | $232,700 | 14.9% | 24.7% |
| Encinal | 1,298 | $50,833 | $86,900 | 12.0% | 19.4% |
| Stratford | 1,326 | $49,286 | $129,900 | 31.9% | 8.1% |
| César Chávez | 1,351 | N/A | $162,300 | 0.0% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Dawson is a small community located in Texas, within Navarro County. The total population is 1,322. It ranks as the 903rd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dawson is 40.7 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 35.6 years. With 29.5% of the population under 18, Dawson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dawson is $51,042. This is 35% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 3.3%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $140,700. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Dawson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dawson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.9% vs 39.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 39.7%.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% 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, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Dawson, Texas has a population of 1,322 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dawson, TX?
The median household income in Dawson is $51,042, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dawson, TX?
The poverty rate in Dawson is 21.7%. This means approximately 285 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dawson, Texas?
Dawson's population is 80.9% White, 12.2% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dawson, TX?
The median home value in Dawson is $140,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Dawson, Texas?
13.0% of adults (25+) in Dawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.