1st Advantage MortgageThe median Dawson County household earns $92,991, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Dawson County, GA: the basics
- Household income in Dawson County
- Employment and commuting in Dawson County
- Dawson County housing compared with Georgia
- Towns and communities in Dawson County
- Regional comparison for Dawson County
- Debt-to-income at Dawson County's medians
- Who lives in Dawson County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Dawson County
- Checking a lender's license in Georgia
- Before you sign
- More guides for Dawson County
- Frequently asked questions
Dawson County, GA: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Dawson County's population at 30,242; only 61 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 211 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 143 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Dawsonville, with about 4,403 residents, or 15% of the county.
Household income in Dawson County
The median household income in Dawson County is $92,991; statewide it is $77,353, so Dawson County runs 20% above Georgia as a whole. That places it 12th among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Household income | Dawson County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.3% | -7.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.1% | -0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.1% | +7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.5% | +0.6 pts |
Some 14% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 47% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.5% of Dawson County residents in poverty, against 13.4% across Georgia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.414 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Dawson County median.
Employment and commuting in Dawson County
The biggest employer of Dawson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (13%). Public administration stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.5% in Dawson County. Long commutes are common here: 27% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Dawson County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.4% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% | 0.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +1.8 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | +2.7 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Dawson County housing compared with Georgia
Renters in Dawson County pay a median of $1,626 a month, 17% above the Georgia figure of $1,393. 52% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. Home values center on $406,700, or 4.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 79%. Half the housing stock was built before 1999.
| Dawson County | Georgia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,626/mo | $1,393/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $406,700 | $303,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Dawson County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Towns and communities in Dawson County
Dawsonville is the only Census place mainly inside Dawson County, with about 4,403 of the county's 30,242 residents. None of the 1 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawsonville | city | 4,403 | $90,929 | $1,208 | 3 mi |
Regional comparison for Dawson County
Lumpkin County is closest, 13 miles from center to center; the sixth, Gilmer County, is 23 miles off. Forsyth County leads the group on income ($143,784), Gilmer County trails ($74,499), and Dawson County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson County | - | $92,991 | $1,626/mo | 79% |
| Lumpkin County, GA | 13 mi | $77,448 | $1,142/mo | 76% |
| Forsyth County, GA | 15 mi | $143,784 | $2,090/mo | 84% |
| Pickens County, GA | 18 mi | $78,930 | $1,136/mo | 81% |
| Hall County, GA | 22 mi | $80,901 | $1,341/mo | 69% |
| Cherokee County, GA | 22 mi | $108,115 | $1,799/mo | 77% |
| Gilmer County, GA | 23 mi | $74,499 | $998/mo | 81% |
Debt-to-income at Dawson County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Dawson County's medians:
- $7,749 a month: gross income for a household at the Dawson County median
- 21% goes to median rent ($1,626)
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,706 a month
If your rent is above $1,626, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Dawson County, in numbers
Degree holders: 36% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 11.8%, against 12.4% for Georgia.
| Measure | Dawson County | Georgia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 37.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.4% | 34.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.0% | 10.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.8% | 12.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.6% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.7% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 13.4% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Dawson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.6% |
| 60+ min | 11.1% |
Before borrowing in Dawson County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Dawson County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Long drives. With 27% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Dawson County budgets.
- Higher earners. 47% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 52% of Dawson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Checking a lender's license in Georgia
Consumer lenders serving Dawson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Georgia that is the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Georgia state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Dawson County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Dawson County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Dawson County-area credit union.
- Verify the Georgia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Dawson County
The Georgia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dawson County a high-income county?
Its $92,991 median ranks 12th of 159 Georgia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Dawson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,626 against $1,393 statewide, and 52% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Dawson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Dawsonville?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Dawson County.
Can Dawson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Georgia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.