Dobson is a town and the county seat in Dobson Township, Surry County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 1,396. Dobson is the home of the Shelton Vineyards, the largest winery in North Carolina. It is also home to a significant Latino population due to the large number of farms in the area. The main crops in the area are corn, tobacco and soy beans.

Official town website ↗

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

Town numbers

ZIP code27017

Area code336

Living in Dobson

Housing in Dobson

$266K▲ 9.4% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Dobson home is worth about $266,000, up 9.4% in a year, 21% below the North Carolina typical home.

Only 2 sales in April 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Dobson

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Dobson's police department reported none of them, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Dobson 2.2

North Carolina 4.1

U.S. 4

Property crime per 1,000

Dobson 14.4

North Carolina 21

U.S. 20

FBI crime data, 2022 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Dobson

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Dobson for work: only 17% work in town. The top destinations are Mount Airy (16%), Winston-Salem (7%) and Elkin (4%). Half commute less than 11 miles.

Mount Airy

16%

Winston-Salem

Elkin

Charlotte

17%Work in townlive and work in Dobson 11 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 2,877Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Dobson →

Health in Dobson

C⁺

Health Grade C+

Healthier than 42% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 89% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with North Carolina

1better than NC·2worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 29 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 1▼ 10 close Habits all close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

11.3%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethNC 13.9% · better 13.8%More uninsured adultsNC 10.4% · worse

Care nearby

Northern Regional HospitalMount Airy · 9.1 mi · ER

High Country Community Health at Surry Medical MinistriesMount Airy · 9 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

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

Natural hazards in Dobson

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 20% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Dobson flood?no paid flood claims on record 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Dobson

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

Climate in Dobson

Full climate →

Dobson has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 27°, and about 8 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

50° / 29°Winter

69° / 44°Spring

85° / 63°Summer

70° / 46°Fall

How much snow does Dobson get?About 8 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 23, with the last in spring around Apr 19.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.4° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in Dobson

All Dobson schools →

B⁺

School Grade B+

The public schools Dobson’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 72% of North Carolina’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictSurry County SchoolsSchools3

Dobson Elementary A-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 350 students Surry Central High BHigh · Grades 9–12 · 679 students Surry Early College A+High · Grades 9–13 · 296 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 NC. Ratings are from neighbors.