Population 30,242 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Dawson County
Household size in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.66 | 2.74 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.72 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.73 | 2.81 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.67 | 2.79 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | +0.05 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
At 2.67 people per household, Dawson County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is smaller than in the Atlanta area as a whole, where it has 2.79 people. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the northwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1 | 35.5 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.3 | 36.5 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.3 | 37.5 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.7 | 38.2 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.6 | +2.7 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Dawson County is 42.7 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.1, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 13.3% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 13.6% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 12.5% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 12.7% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Dawson County (10.1%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Dawson County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Georgia counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Dawson County
Renters in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.1% | 32.1% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.7% | 35.5% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.5% | 36.7% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.3% | 33.9% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Dawson County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (40.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the northwest.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 11.9% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 11.4% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 8.6% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 8.0% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −9.1 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Just as many homes sit empty in Dawson County as nationally: 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Atlanta area as a whole (8.0%). Vacancy has fallen 9.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1988 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1994 | 1989 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1996 | 1990 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2000 | 1993 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Dawson County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2000, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the northwest. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only nine have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $930 | $1,050 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,027 | $1,116 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $870 | $1,293 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,541 | $1,799 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$610 | +$749 | +$609 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Dawson County costs $1,541 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the Atlanta area overall ($1,799). Rents are up $610 a month from 2006–10, a 66% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 35.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Dawson County
Bachelor's degrees in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 34.5% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 35.2% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.3% | 38.2% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.3% | 42.0% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +15.6 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Dawson County (35.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the wider Atlanta area (42.0%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 15.6 points, as it has nationally. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only 15 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.9% | 87.2% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.7% | 88.0% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.1% | 89.4% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.3% | 90.9% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +3.6 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Dawson County is the same as the national rate: 89.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent. The rate is lower than in the Atlanta area overall (90.9%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.4 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Dawson County
| Period | Dawson County | Atlanta area | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 9.0% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −3.8 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Dawson County has been low: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Dawson County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson County | 2.67 | 42.7 | 10.1% | 21.3% | 9.6% | 2000 | $1,541 | 35.3% | 89.3% | 3.3% |
| Lumpkin County | 2.80 | 37.2 | 6.8% | 23.7% | 13.9% | 1997 | $1,130 | 32.9% | 90.1% | 5.4% |
| Pickens County | 2.62 | 46.7 | 12.5% | 18.8% | 12.8% | 1995 | $1,231 | 25.7% | 89.9% | 2.9% |
| White County | 2.68 | 45.0 | 6.9% | 21.2% | 19.8% | 1993 | $1,067 | 23.9% | 84.3% | 3.6% |
| Habersham County | 2.81 | 39.9 | 9.2% | 27.2% | 12.7% | 1990 | $976 | 24.9% | 82.7% | 2.9% |
| Banks County | 2.82 | 41.9 | 7.9% | 21.3% | 8.6% | 1994 | $915 | 19.0% | 83.4% | 3.3% |
| Gordon County | 2.80 | 39.9 | 12.2% | 26.1% | 10.3% | 1987 | $993 | 19.0% | 81.2% | 3.5% |
| Stephens County | 2.56 | 43.2 | 13.6% | 26.4% | 13.7% | 1981 | $868 | 15.9% | 86.0% | 5.7% |
| Franklin County | 2.70 | 39.8 | 12.5% | 22.8% | 17.0% | 1988 | $833 | 18.4% | 83.2% | 5.4% |
| Hart County | 2.45 | 43.8 | 10.1% | 22.2% | 15.4% | 1987 | $918 | 20.6% | 85.3% | 3.6% |
| Chattooga County | 2.66 | 41.5 | 14.7% | 33.2% | 16.2% | 1975 | $859 | 12.9% | 76.4% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Yell County, AR · Wayne County, GA · Washington County, ME · Williamsburg County, SC · Amherst County, VA · Alcorn County, MS · Wyoming County, WV · Wythe County, VA · Yabucoa Municipio, PR · Yankton County, SD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Dawson County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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