1st Advantage MortgageDawson County households have a median income of $69,880 and median rent of $925 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Nebraska before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Dawson County
- Household income in Dawson County
- The Dawson County job picture
- Housing costs in Dawson County
- Dawson County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Dawson County
- Room for a loan payment in Dawson County
- Reading the Dawson County data as a borrower
- Dawson County households compared
- Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
- A Dawson County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Dawson County
With an estimated 24,202 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Dawson County ranks 13th of 93 in Nebraska for population. Spread over 1,014 square miles, that works out to roughly 23.9 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Dawson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Lexington, with about 10,862 residents, or 45% of the county.
Household income in Dawson County
Half of Dawson County households take in less than $69,880 a year and half take in more, 9% below the Nebraska median of $76,475. In the state ranking that is 40th of 93.
| Band | Dawson County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.8% | -0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.3% | +6.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.5% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -3.0 pts |
About 20% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 10.8%, the same as the state's 10.6%. For a borrower in Dawson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
The Dawson County job picture
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Dawson County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 26% locally and 10% for Nebraska. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 2% work from home. 5.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Dawson County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 26.2% | +15.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.0% | -6.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.2% | +6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +1.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Dawson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Dawson County
A typical Dawson County rental runs $925 a month including utilities, which is 14% below Nebraska. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 32% of renter households here. Home values center on $166,200, or 2.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 66% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1969.
| Dawson County | Nebraska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $925/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $166,200 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 8% | n/a |
Dawson County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (25 to 47 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Dawson County; Gosper County is highest at $77,500 and Furnas County lowest at $61,048.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson County | - | $69,880 | $925/mo | 66% |
| Gosper County, NE | 25 mi | $77,500 | $664/mo | 81% |
| Phelps County, NE | 32 mi | $68,919 | $815/mo | 68% |
| Custer County, NE | 37 mi | $67,906 | $853/mo | 69% |
| Buffalo County, NE | 39 mi | $75,911 | $936/mo | 66% |
| Frontier County, NE | 39 mi | $70,132 | $666/mo | 74% |
| Furnas County, NE | 47 mi | $61,048 | $763/mo | 76% |
Towns and communities in Dawson County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Dawson County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 19,675 people, so roughly 19% of residents live outside any named place. Gothenburg has the highest median household income on the list ($79,219) and Cozad the lowest ($54,471), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Overton ($850) and steepest in Lexington ($966). Live in one of these Dawson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | city | 10,862 | $67,666 | $966 | 7 mi |
| Cozad | city | 3,937 | $54,471 | $851 | 9 mi |
| Gothenburg | city | 3,452 | $79,219 | $883 | 18 mi |
| Overton | village | 689 | $55,000 | $850 | 17 mi |
| Sumner | village | 353 | $70,000 | $891 | 17 mi |
| Farnam | village | 257 | $45,417 | $820 | 24 mi |
| Eddyville | village | 125 | $95,461 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Willow Island | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Dawson County
Dawson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,823 before taxes
- Less median rent of $925, which is 16% of it
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,113 left for all other debt payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,696 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Reading the Dawson County data as a borrower
Based on the Dawson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Dawson County households compared
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 9.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Dawson County | Nebraska | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.6 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.6% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 22.1% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.9% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.4% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.4% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Dawson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 56.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Dawson County, check the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Nebraska: Nebraska personal loans.
A Dawson County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Dawson County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Nebraska.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Dawson County household make?
About $69,880 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% below the Nebraska median.
What do renters pay in Dawson County?
$925 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Which towns does the Dawson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Lexington, Cozad, Gothenburg, Overton, Sumner.
Will a Dawson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Nebraska as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Dawson County check a lender's license?
With the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.