CountyScore

Dawson County

Nebraska · NE

#85 in Nebraska
64.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Dawson County, Nebraska

Solid standing above the national norm

Dawson County's composite score of 64.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 15 points, placing it in the 61st percentile nationally. It's a reasonably livable county by U.S. standards.

Below Nebraska's average, middle tier

Dawson County's 64.8 falls short of Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 93 counties. It's a moderate performer regionally.

Low taxes and strong housing affordability

Dawson County's tax score of 66.8 backed by a 1.260% effective rate and cost score of 79.4 create excellent affordability. Median rent of $861 and home values near $157,800 are among the state's most accessible.

Low income and health weaknesses

Dawson County's income score of 26.1 (median $65,383) and health score of 66.2 represent its softest dimensions. The risk score of 34.7 is the lowest in this group, signaling potential vulnerability to economic disruption or other hazards.

Best for budget-focused households seeking stability

Dawson County appeals to cost-conscious families and retirees prioritizing extreme affordability and low taxes over vibrant employment or healthcare options. Those with remote work or outside income will find genuine financial advantages here.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax66.8Cost79.4SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.1Risk34.7WaterComing Soon
🏛66.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Dawson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glenn County
California
64.8
Median income: $70,487
Coweta County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $94,142
Glynn County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $68,546
Harper County
Kansas
64.8
Median income: $55,417
Gallatin County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $87,454

Deep Dives

Dawson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dawson County

via TaxByCounty

Dawson's tax rate nears national median

Dawson County's 1.260% effective rate sits above the national median of 0.84% but reflects a moderate burden nationally, placing it around the 60th percentile. This is fairly typical for rural Great Plains counties compared to the broader U.S.

Slightly below Nebraska's average

At 1.260%, Dawson runs just shy of Nebraska's 1.281% statewide average, ranking it near the middle of the state's 93 counties. It's a representative example of Nebraska's moderate property tax environment.

Dawson sits squarely in regional middle

Dawson's 1.260% ranks fourth in the eight-county survey, below high-tax Dakota and Cheyenne but above low-tax Cuming. It exemplifies the typical rural Nebraska tax burden.

Median annual bill totals $1,989

On Dawson's median home value of $157,800, homeowners pay approximately $1,989 per year in property taxes. Mortgage payers see $2,263 in total liability; mortgage-free owners pay $1,676.

Appeal your assessment if values seem high

Even in moderate-tax counties like Dawson, assessment errors can inflate your bill unnecessarily. Request a review of your assessed value—if it exceeds recent comparable sales, filing a simple appeal could lower your annual payment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dawson County

via CostByCounty

Dawson rents moderately above average

Dawson County residents spend 15.8% of their median household income on rent, slightly above Nebraska's state average of 14.2% and in the middle range nationally. With a median income of $65,383—below the national median of $74,755—but modest rent of $861 monthly, housing costs create moderate pressure for local earners.

Slightly above Nebraska's norm

Dawson County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio places it modestly above Nebraska's state average, ranking it among the more expensive counties but not among the hardest-hit. The county represents mild affordability stress rather than severe constraints.

Mid-range rent, below-average income

Dawson County's $861 monthly rent falls in the middle of this region's range, but its median income of $65,383 is among the lowest surveyed. This combination creates slightly tighter affordability than the statewide average despite modest rents.

Rent and ownership costs balanced

Monthly rent of $861 consumes 15.8% of the median income, while homeownership costs $885—nearly identical despite a median home value of $157,800. Both pathways create roughly equal housing burden for Dawson residents.

Modest affordability pressure, stable options

Dawson County offers moderate housing costs with modest affordability challenges relative to state averages. If relocating, expect to allocate slightly more than the statewide norm to housing, but nothing extreme by national standards.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dawson County

via IncomeByCounty

Dawson moderately below U.S. norm

Dawson County's median household income of $65,383 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $9,372, or 12.5%. This gap places Dawson in the lower-to-middle tier of U.S. counties, below typical American household earnings but not at the bottom.

Below-average within Nebraska

Dawson County earns $65,383, falling $1,497 below Nebraska's state median of $66,880. The county ranks in the lower half of Nebraska counties, reflecting economic performance slightly weaker than the state baseline.

Mid-range among surrounding counties

Dawson's $65,383 outpaces Custer ($66,310) and Dawes ($54,381) but trails Colfax ($79,720), Clay ($75,938), and Dakota ($71,655). The county sits in the middle range of rural Nebraska economically.

Housing costs reasonable

Dawson's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, with renters spending roughly one-sixth of income on housing. This affordability provides households meaningful room to cover other essential expenses.

Build incremental wealth strategically

Dawson households with slightly below-average income can pursue steady wealth-building through employer 401(k) contributions, automatic savings transfers, and diversified low-cost investments. Consistency and time horizon matter more than earning power when building long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dawson County

via HealthByCounty

Dawson County near U.S. life expectancy

At 77.4 years, Dawson County's life expectancy sits just 2.3 years below the U.S. average of 79.7 years. However, a 20.2% poor/fair health rate—among the highest in this group—suggests significant chronic disease burden.

Slightly below Nebraska's health baseline

Dawson County's 77.4-year life expectancy sits just 0.1 year below Nebraska's 77.5-year average, placing it squarely in the state's middle band. Its 12.6% uninsured rate substantially exceeds the state average of 8.1%.

Solid provider access overall

Dawson County provides 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 166 mental health providers per 100,000—reasonable coverage for both physical and behavioral health needs. These levels align with state-competitive peer counties.

Coverage gaps strain the system

With 12.6% of residents uninsured—the second-highest rate in this group—many Dawson County residents face barriers to preventive care despite adequate provider availability. The elevated poor/fair health rate may reflect delayed care due to lack of insurance.

Don't let coverage gaps worsen health

One in eight Dawson County residents (12.6%) is uninsured, risking expensive emergency care and delayed treatment. Healthcare.gov and local enrollment partners can connect you with affordable plans and the providers available in your county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dawson County

via RiskByCounty

Dawson County's High Risk Profile

Dawson County has a composite risk score of 65.30 with a Relatively Low rating, significantly exceeding the national average for natural disaster exposure. Tornado (72.68), wildfire (65.71), and flood (43.61) risks all contribute meaningfully to this elevated profile.

Among Nebraska's Highest-Risk Counties

At 65.30, Dawson County's composite risk score is nearly 2.5 times Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. The county's tornado risk (72.68) ranks among the highest in the state.

Significantly Riskier Than Peers

Dawson County (65.30) faces substantially higher composite risk than all regional neighbors in this group, surpassing Cuming County (57.28) and Clay County (56.04). Its tornado exposure (72.68) is particularly severe compared to surrounding areas.

Tornado, Wildfire, and Flood Exposure

Tornado risk (72.68) is Dawson County's primary threat, followed closely by wildfire (65.71) and flood (43.61) risks. This multi-hazard exposure is among the most severe in Nebraska, requiring comprehensive preparation across all three categories.

Comprehensive Multi-Hazard Protection

Dawson County residents must secure robust coverage for tornado/windstorm, wildfire, and flood risks—unusual for Nebraska. A safe room or storm shelter is essential, flood insurance should be evaluated based on property location, and defensible space around structures is critical.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.