Population 8,640 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Dobson
Household size in Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.66 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.50 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.62 | 2.49 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.55 | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.03 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Dobson run a little small, averaging 2.55 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Locally, though, the typical household here is bigger than in the Winston-Salem area overall, where it has 2.46 people. Household size has dropped from 2.66 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.4 | 39.1 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.6 | 40.2 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.3 | 41.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.1 | 41.5 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.7 | +2.4 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
At 39.1, the median age in Dobson is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in the Winston-Salem area overall, where the median age is 41.5. The median age has crept up from 38.4 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 12.1% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 12.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 11.7% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 11.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Dobson: 15.6% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 7.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Dobson has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five North Carolina cities.
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 Dobson
Renters in Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.2% | 29.2% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.7% | 31.4% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.8% | 33.2% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.0% | 30.8% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.3 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.0% of households in Dobson rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 57.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the south. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 7.3 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 11.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 11.5% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 11.4% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.3% | 9.9% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Dobson: 11.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 0.5 points, even as the national rate fell.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1980 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1980 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1982 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1985 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +5 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Dobson is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $511 | $700 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $559 | $751 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $674 | $830 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $670 | $1,102 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$159 | +$403 | +$528 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Dobson costs $670 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $159 a month since 2006–10, up 31%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the north.
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 Dobson
Bachelor's degrees in Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 25.2% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 25.9% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.8% | 27.2% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 31.2% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +6.0 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Dobson have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 6.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Dobson has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five North Carolina cities.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 72.0% | 83.9% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.9% | 84.4% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.7% | 87.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.4% | 89.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in Dobson never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.4 points, as it has nationally. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only five have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Dobson
| Period | Dobson | Winston-Salem area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 8.4% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 10.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.5% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −3.5 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.2%, unemployment in Dobson is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.3 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Dobson compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dobson | 2.55 | 39.1 | 15.6% | 23.0% | 11.3% | 1986 | $670 | 16.2% | 78.4% | 5.2% |
| Zephyr | 2.13 | 48.7 | 12.4% | 30.3% | 12.8% | 1984 | $830 | 21.7% | 74.0% | 2.6% |
| Burch | 2.51 | 41.5 | 17.0% | 21.6% | 8.9% | 1983 | $805 | 10.9% | 73.7% | 6.2% |
| Ararat | 2.41 | 35.6 | 10.1% | 23.1% | 10.7% | 1984 | $771 | 21.9% | 85.7% | 2.0% |
| Siloam | 2.61 | 38.2 | 17.1% | 18.7% | 10.2% | 1982 | $753 | 25.8% | 91.7% | 7.5% |
| State Road | 2.27 | 50.2 | 9.0% | 23.2% | 11.2% | 1980 | $786 | 26.8% | 85.9% | 3.1% |
| Rockford | 2.44 | 43.9 | 17.6% | 14.5% | 9.9% | 1982 | $745 | 22.2% | 90.0% | 9.0% |
| Bottom | 2.51 | 41.6 | 12.9% | 19.7% | 19.7% | 1997 | $672 | 20.0% | 76.5% | 4.8% |
| Elkin | 2.28 | 46.8 | 12.1% | 28.0% | 13.8% | 1971 | $738 | 21.2% | 84.1% | 4.5% |
| Ash Hill | 2.51 | 47.0 | 14.1% | 20.2% | 11.6% | 1985 | $978 | 18.5% | 79.5% | 2.2% |
| Mount Airy | 2.33 | 43.5 | 12.0% | 29.9% | 10.8% | 1976 | $732 | 18.3% | 83.6% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Rockdale, TX · Mechanicstown, NY · Mendenhall, MS · Mendota, IL · Middleborough Center, MA · Red Hook, NY · Rhinebeck, NY · Richland Hills, TX · Riverside, CT · Riviera Beach, MD
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 Dobson. 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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