Town in Navarro County

Living in Dawson, TX

C

436th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 41 of 100

Dawson gets an overall grade of C and ranks 436th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and cost of living, and trails on internet access and health.

  • Affordable
  • Getting around scores low (14 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (18 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Dawson isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthDawson
Where Dawson is in Texas.
Population
8220.0% since 2020
Median rent
$74847% lower than Texas
Median home value
$140,70050% lower than Texas
Household income
$51,042Median
Average commute
36 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Dawson

Dawson is a town in Navarro County. 822 people lived here in 2025, about the same as 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 40.7, 45% of households have children, 58% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $51,042 a year (35% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Dawson

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $748, 47% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Dawson

  • Higher poverty. 22% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 36 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 78% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Dawson suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 73% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 35% lower than the Texas median, with 2 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 18% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 78% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $748 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $748 is 47% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for people on a budget.

Dawson report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Dawson with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B+

    Median rent $748, homes cost 2.8x income.

    76 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $51,042, 3.3% unemployed.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    81 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 2 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 36 min, 19% work from home.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    13% have a bachelor’s degree.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    16% of adults uninsured.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    58% of homes owner-occupied.

    30 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    78% of homes have broadband.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

Where Dawson stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $74847% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.8x24% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 44%8 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $51,04235% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Average commute: 36 min35% higher than Texas (27 min)

Cost of living in Dawson

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Dawson is $748 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $30,000 a year. Right now 44% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $951 for a one-bedroom, $1,139 for a two-bedroom and $1,499 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $140,700, 50% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $770 before tax, or $958 with property tax. That is $210 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Dawson pays $2,253 a year, 47% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in DawsonStudio$8211 bedroom$9512 bedrooms$1,1393 bedrooms$1,4994 bedrooms$1,505
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Navarro County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent47% lower than Texas$748$1,403$1,413
Median home value50% lower than Texas$140,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income24% lower than Texas2.8x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent8 points lower than Texas44%52%51%
Median property tax per year47% lower than Texas$2,253$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them5 points lower than Texas58%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196719921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$958
Mortgage payment
$770
Property tax
$188
Median rent, for comparison
$748

Based on a $140,700 home in Dawson, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Schools in Dawson

Dawson has 1 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Dawson ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
81
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
87
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BDawson Pk-12Other, Dawson ISD87 of 100

Daily life in Dawson

Everyday places mapped inside Dawson, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Dawson City Park.

The average one-way commute is 36 minutes, 35% longer than the Texas average. 19% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Corsicana is about 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Dawson work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $51,042, income per person is $31,189, unemployment is 3.3% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
2
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income35% lower than Texas$51,042$78,476$80,734
Income per person23% lower than Texas$31,189$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.3%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line8 points higher than Texas22%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas13%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higherAbout the same as Texas87%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points lower than Texas16%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet13 points lower than Texas78%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute35% higher than Texas36 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home4 points higher than Texas19%14%15%
Workers who work from home19%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.5%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Dawson

Under 1830%
18 to 3416%
35 to 6440%
65 and over14%

Median age 40.7 years. 45% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White81%
Hispanic or Latino4.6%
Black12%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race2.3%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Dawson

Dawson has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 35°F. There are about 109 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 41 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Dawson30°50°70°90°57J62F68M76A83M91J95J96A89S79O68N59DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Navarro Mills Dam, 5 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Dawson

    Nearby, Hubbard gets a D, Wortham gets an F and Corsicana gets a D+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. DHubbardTown, 1,327 people6 mi
    2. FWorthamTown, 1,160 people16 mi
    3. D+CorsicanaSmall city, 25,511 people18 mi
    4. D-MexiaTown, 6,859 people20 mi
    5. DItalyTown, 2,372 people22 mi
    6. A-WestTown, 2,576 people23 mi

    Living in Dawson: common questions

    Is Dawson, TX a good place to live?

    Dawson gets an overall grade of C and ranks 436th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and cost of living, and trails on internet access and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Dawson?

    Median rent in Dawson is $748 a month, 47% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $140,700, 50% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $958, including property tax.

    Is Dawson safe?

    In 2025, Dawson Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 0 per 100,000, 100% lower than the Texas rate. This agency reported only part of the year, so the rate is shown but not scored.

    Are the schools good in Dawson?

    We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Dawson. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 81 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Dawson?

    Summers in Dawson peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 35°F. Expect around 109 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 41 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Dawson?

    The average one-way commute is 36 min, 35% higher than the Texas average. About 19% of workers work from home. It is about 20 miles from downtown Corsicana.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.