Dawson is a city in and the county seat of Terrell County, Georgia, United States. Its population was 4,414 at the 2020 census. Incorporated on December 22, 1857, the city is named for Senator William Crosby Dawson. Dawson is part of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Dawson ranks

All →

#21Most affordable in GA #29Cheapest rent in GA #71Shortest commute in GA All GA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code39842

Area code229

Living in Dawson

Housing in Dawson

$85K▲ 2.2% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Dawson home is worth about $85,000, up 2.2% in a year, 74% below the Georgia typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Dawson

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Dawson reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 61% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Dawson 4.1

Georgia 3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Dawson 5.3

Georgia 14

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Dawson

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Dawson for work: only 19% work in town. The top destinations are Albany (20%), Vienna (3%) and Camilla (2%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Albany

20%

Vienna

Camilla

Americus

19%Work in townlive and work in Dawson 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,321Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Dawson →

Health in Dawson

D⁻

Health Grade D−

Healthier than 1% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 18% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Georgia

4better than GA·22worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 6 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 9▼ 2 close Habits 1▲ 3▼ 0 close Care 2▲ 2▼ 3 close Mind 4▼ 1 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

9.8%Fewer binge drinkersGA 14.5% · better 6.1%Fewer adults who have had cancerGA 7% · better 22.7%More adults facing a utility shut-offGA 9.6% · worse

Care nearby

Phoebe Putney Memorial HospitalAlbany · 21 mi · ER

Careconnect Convenient CareDawson · 0.3 mi · sliding-scale fees

2 health centers in Dawson →

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Dawson · CMS · HRSAHealth in Dawson →

Natural hazards in Dawson

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 25% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌵 Drought

1Does Dawson flood?paid flood claims since 2018 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Dawson

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Dawson →

Climate in Dawson

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Dawson has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 91°, a January night drops to 37°, and snow is almost unheard of.

62° / 39°Winter

78° / 53°Spring

91° / 70°Summer

78° / 55°Fall

How much snow does Dawson get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 19, with the last in spring around Mar 12.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.7° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Dawson →

Schools in Dawson

All Dawson schools →

School Grade D

The public schools Dawson’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 88% of Georgia’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

Schools1

Terrell AcademyOther · Grades PK–12 · 558 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within GA. Ratings are from neighbors.