countyscore
47.6
County Score
Schools 74.9Soil Quality 62.5Income & Jobs 55.7

County Report Card

About Dawson County, Nebraska

Competitive with the National Median

Dawson County posts a composite score of 47.5, placing it just slightly below the national median of 50.0. It performs reasonably well on the national stage.

Trailing Nebraska's State Averages

The county's score of 47.5 falls behind the Nebraska state average of 59.3. While solid, it does not reach the high benchmarks set by the state's top-performing counties.

Strong Educational and Water Foundations

Dawson excels in education with a school score of 74.9. Its income score of 55.7 and water score of 55.0 provide a stable middle-of-the-road foundation for families.

Environmental Risks and Tax Burdens

The risk score of 34.7 is a notable concern, suggesting higher exposure to natural hazards. Tax scores also remain low at 22.7, indicating a higher-than-ideal tax load.

A Solid Choice for Families

Dawson County is a good match for families who value quality schools and moderate living costs. With a median gross rent of $861, it offers a balanced economic profile for the region.

2040608010022.745.647.647.674.955.734.75544Tax22.7Cost45.6Safety47.6Health47.6Schools74.9Income55.7Risk34.7Water55Weather4447.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Dawson County DNA

Foverall

How Dawson County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Dawson County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (22.7/100), though Schools (74.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.7-29.3
Cost
45.6
Safety
47.6
Health
47.6
Schools
74.9+20.900000000000006
Income
55.7
Risk
34.7-12.299999999999997
Water
55
Weather
44-12
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Dawson County?

Many homeowners in Dawson County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$157,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$861/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$157,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,383/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Dawson County with Graham County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Graham County
Arizona
Median income: $67,326
47.6
San Mateo County
California
Median income: $156,000
47.6
Levy County
Florida
Median income: $53,805
47.6
Shoshone County
Idaho
Median income: $49,975
47.6
Grant County
Indiana
Median income: $54,007
47.6
Madison County
Kentucky
Median income: $62,407
47.6
St. Martin Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $53,394
47.6
Washington County
Minnesota
Median income: $114,457
47.6

Nearby counties

Gosper County
Nebraska
67.9
Phelps County
Nebraska
64.7
Buffalo County
Nebraska
38.6
Frontier County
Nebraska
65.1
Furnas County
Nebraska
55.9
Custer County
Nebraska
58.3
Kearney County
Nebraska
61.6
Harlan County
Nebraska
69

Deep Dives

Dawson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Dawson County

via CrimeByCounty

Dawson County Outperforms National Norms

Dawson County reports a total crime rate of 1,177.3 per 100,000, roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. This performance secures a solid safety score of 98.1 for the local area.

Crime Trends Relative to Nebraska Averages

The county's crime rate is higher than the Nebraska state average of 626.7 per 100,000. However, it still maintains a safety score of 98.1, which is close to the state average of 99.0.

Dawson County Safety vs Neighboring Areas

Dawson County sees more crime than neighboring Custer County but remains significantly safer than Dakota County. It acts as a middle ground for safety metrics in central Nebraska.

Property Crime as the Primary Concern

Property crime dominates the local landscape at 1,077.5 per 100,000, compared to a low violent crime rate of 99.8. This violent crime rate is almost identical to the Nebraska state average of 96.4.

Prioritizing Home and Property Defense

Focusing on property protection is the most effective way for residents to stay safe. Simple measures like smart locks and outdoor lighting go a long way in this community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Dawson County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Comprehensive School Network in Dawson

Dawson County manages an extensive system of 19 public schools across five districts, serving 5,516 students. The landscape includes eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and five high schools, plus four specialized facilities. This makes it one of the most significant educational hubs in its part of the state.

High Graduation Rates and Efficient Operations

Dawson County achieves an impressive 92.7% graduation rate, significantly outpacing the Nebraska average of 86.9%. Despite a lower per-pupil expenditure of $8,847, the school score of 58.9 remains nearly identical to the state average. This indicates a highly efficient use of resources to produce strong academic outcomes for a large student body.

Lexington Public Schools Powers the County

Lexington Public Schools is the largest district, educating 3,221 students across eight different schools. Cozad Community Schools and Gothenburg Public Schools also serve significant populations of 949 and 847 students, respectively. No charter schools operate in the county, leaving traditional public districts as the sole providers of education.

Town-Based Learning with Large High Schools

Thirteen of the county’s schools are located in town settings, supporting an average school size of 306 students. Lexington High School is the largest campus with 913 students, followed by Lexington Middle School with 685. This gives the county a more urban educational feel compared to the surrounding rural Nebraska counties.

Strong Academic Results for Your Family

With its high graduation rates and diverse school districts, Dawson County is an excellent choice for relocating families. The strong performance of districts like Lexington and Gothenburg makes the area a secure bet for educational quality. Explore homes in these thriving towns to take advantage of the county's successful school systems.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Dawson County

via WaterByCounty

Moderate Compliance Record in Dawson

Dawson County earns a 'C' grade for drinking water, with two health violations recorded over the past five years. Its violation rate of 10.5 per 100,000 residents is significantly lower than the Nebraska average of 110.3. This indicates that while violations occurred, they are less frequent than in many other parts of the state.

Mercury and Bacteria Affect Most Waters

Approximately 72.7% of assessed water bodies in Dawson County are impaired, which is higher than the state average of 66.4%. The 2022 assessment identified mercury in fish tissue and E. coli as the primary reasons for these eight failing sites. This suggests consistent pressure on local aquatic environments from multiple sources.

Focused Monitoring at Three Key Sites

Three monitoring sites have produced 1,650 measurements in Dawson County over the last five years. Testing focuses on physical properties, nutrients, and habitat assessments to monitor the impact of impairments. While the number of sites is low, the high number of measurements per site provides a deep look at those specific areas.

Platte River Flows Hit Extreme Lows

The Platte River near Overton is currently flowing at just 90 cfs, a mere 6% of its long-term typical mean. This critically low discharge for such a massive drainage area indicates severe drought or high water diversion. These conditions significantly stress the ecosystem and can concentrate pollutants like E. coli.

Caution During Extreme Low Flows

With the Platte River at only 6% of its normal flow, residents should be extremely cautious as stagnant water often harbors higher bacteria levels. Follow all fish consumption advisories related to the mercury impairments found in 72% of local waters. While drinking water compliance is generally good, low source water levels warrant increased vigilance.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dawson County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Central Plains Climate Profile

Dawson County maintains an annual average temperature of 51.0°F, which is warmer than many of its northern neighbors. It receives 24.1 inches of precipitation, typical for the central Great Plains region.

Warmer and Drier than Average

The county's 51.0°F average temperature exceeds the Nebraska state average of 49.7°F. However, its 24.1 inches of precipitation is slightly below the state average of 25.9 inches.

High Heat and Moderate Rainfall

Dawson County experiences 34 days of extreme heat, making it warmer than many eastern Nebraska counties. Its rainfall levels are consistent with the agricultural heartland of the central Platte Valley.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

July averages a warm 75.5°F with over a month's worth of days exceeding 90°F. Winters are relatively mild for the region, with an average temperature of 28.9°F from December to February.

Prioritize Cooling and Irrigation

With 34 extreme heat days, residents should ensure their air conditioning systems are serviced annually. Outdoor activities in the summer should be planned around the high July average of 75.5°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dawson County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced pH for Prime Agriculture

Dawson County soil averages a pH of 6.91, placing it slightly above the state average of 6.79 but remains very close to neutral. This chemistry supports a vast range of crops without needing significant chemical adjustments.

Silt-Rich Loam Composition

The soil contains 48.3% silt, 31.1% sand, and 19.4% clay. This high silt content makes the soil feel silky and ensures it is excellent at holding both water and essential plant nutrients.

Superior Water Storage Capacity

Dawson County shines in moisture retention, with an available water capacity of 0.198 in/in, well above the state average. Although organic matter is 2.12%, the soil's structure makes it highly efficient for irrigation.

Consistent Moisture for Crops

The silt-clay balance indicates a soil that can absorb and hold significant rainfall. This makes it a reliable choice for agriculture, though it may require careful management to avoid surface erosion during heavy Nebraska storms.

Vibrant Gardens in Zone 5b

Hardiness zone 5b is ideal for diverse gardens, from sweet corn to perennial flowers. With a strong soil score of 62.5, this county offers some of the most dependable growing conditions in central Nebraska.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dawson County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Success in the Platte Valley

Dawson County earns a lawn difficulty score of 55.7, aligning closely with the Nebraska state average. Homeowners in this hardiness zone 5b region find that standard lawn care practices generally yield good results.

Average Rainfall and Typical Heat Stress

The county receives 24.1 inches of annual precipitation and experiences 34 extreme heat days, which perfectly matches the state average. This predictability allows for a standard mowing and watering schedule throughout the 3,229 growing degree days.

Healthy Soil for Diverse Grass Types

A soil pH of 6.91 is virtually ideal for most turfgrass varieties, ensuring efficient fertilizer use. The soil composition is well-balanced with 31.1% sand, allowing for decent drainage without drying out too rapidly.

Staying Ahead of the Dry Season

Dawson County saw 26 weeks of drought in the past year, though current conditions are only classified as abnormally dry. Maintaining a consistent watering schedule of 1 inch per week is usually enough to keep lawns from going dormant.

Perfect Timing for a Late April Start

Tall Fescue is highly recommended for its deep roots and heat tolerance in zone 5b. Plan to seed after the last frost on April 30th to take advantage of the peak growing weeks before the summer heat arrives in July.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dawson County's county score?
Dawson County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 47.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Dawson County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Dawson County ranks #78 among all counties in Nebraska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Dawson County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Dawson County is $1,989, with an effective tax rate of 1.26%. This earns Dawson County a tax score of 22.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dawson County?
The median household income in Dawson County, Nebraska is $65,383 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dawson County earns an income score of 55.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dawson County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Dawson County scores 47.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #78 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Dawson County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Dawson County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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