Dawes County, NE

County

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2024 Population

8,140

US Senator

Deb Fischer

Republican Party

US Senator

Pete Ricketts

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

35.8

1.7% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

13.1%

4.15% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$56,280

3.49% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$150,900

3% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

4,264

0.0234% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Dawes County, NE reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

100% of the residents in Dawes County, NE are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dawes County, NE are Chadron State College (559 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Dawes County, NE was $150,900, and the homeownership rate was 61.8%.

Most people in Dawes County, NE drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Dawes County, NE was 2 cars per household.

Dawes County, NE borders Box Butte County, NE, Sheridan County, NE, Sioux County, NE, Fall River County, SD, and Oglala Lakota County, SD.

United States Nebraska

Population & Diversity

Dawes County, NE is home to a population of 8.14k people, from which 100% are citizens. As of 2024, 0.958% of Dawes County, NE residents were born outside of the country (78 people).

In 2024, there were 19.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (6.99k people) in Dawes County, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 356 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 241 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

100%

2024 Citizenship

99.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 100% of Dawes County, NE residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Dawes County, NE was 99.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Dawes County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Dawes County, NE

White (Non-Hispanic)
6.99k ± 42
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
356 ± 115
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
241 ± 168

5.05%

Hispanic Population

411 people

5.05% of the people in Dawes County, NE are hispanic (411 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Dawes County, NE as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
47,802 ± 5,303 people
Guatemala
13,722 ± 2,866 people
El Salvador
6,860 ± 2,030 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Nebraska was Mexico, the natal country of 47,802 Nebraska residents, followed by Guatemala with 13,722 and El Salvador with 6,860.

Foreign-Born Population

0.958%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

78 people

0.828%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

68 people

As of 2024, 0.958% of Dawes County, NE residents (78 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dawes County, NE was 0.828%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Dawes County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (1990s)
78 ± 72
Vietnam
76 ± 52
Gulf War (2001-)
37 ± 31

Dawes County, NE has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (1990s), 1.03 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Dawes County, NE.

Health

90.4% of the population of Dawes County, NE has health coverage, with 47.9% on employee plans, 9.27% on Medicaid, 14.9% on Medicare, 16.8% on non-group plans, and 1.45% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Dawes County, NE see 1,358 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,358 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 824 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 290 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,358 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Dawes County, NE

Primary care physicians in Dawes County, NE see an average of 1,358 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,358 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Dawes County, NE in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.2% under 18 years, 27.3% between 18 and 34 years, 32.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.64%

Uninsured

47.9%

Employer Coverage

9.27%

Medicaid

14.9%

Medicare

16.8%

Non-Group

1.45%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dawes County, NE declined by 4.98% from 10.1% to 9.64%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Dawes County, NE changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.64 in Dawes County, NE.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dawes County, NE.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.5% in Dawes County, NE.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dawes County, NE.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 7.87% in Dawes County, NE.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dawes County, NE.

Economy

The economy of Dawes County, NE employs 4.26k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Dawes County, NE were Educational Services (1,099 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (553 people), and Retail Trade (467 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($74,141), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,511), and Finance & Insurance ($68,641).

Employment

Occupations

4.26k

2024 Value

± 505

−0.0234%

1 Year decline

± 16%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Dawes County, NE declined at a rate of −0.0234%, from 4.27k employees to 4.26k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dawes County, NE, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (596 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (490 people), and Management Occupations (427 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dawes County, NE.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Nebraska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.26k

2024 Value

± 505

−0.0234%

1 Year decline

± 16%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Dawes County, NE declined at a rate of −0.0234%, from 4.27k employees to 4.26k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dawes County, NE, are Educational Services (1,099 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (553 people), and Retail Trade (467 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dawes County, NE, though some of these residents may live in Dawes County, NE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,037

Median earning men ± $9,365

$28,134

Median earning women ± $2,543

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($108,393), Manufacturing ($77,621), and Public Administration ($72,995).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,125), Public Administration ($48,704), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,750).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Y-Axis

2.25%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.03M people employed in Nebraska. This represents a 2.25% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 8.87%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Nebraska.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

21
Other Services (except Public Administration)
21
Health Care and Social Assistance
21
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$21k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$19.8k
Retail Trade
$6.17k
Accommodation and Food Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 59.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.9%), followed by Other (0.849%).

Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing the state of Nebraska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Dawes County, NE. Showing the available data for Nebraska.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (59.3%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (38.9%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.849%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 59.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.9%), followed by Other (0.849%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Nebraska for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Nebraska

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Deb Fischer

Senator from Nebraska

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Pete Ricketts

Senator from Nebraska

Assumed office on January 12, 2023
Appointed to the seat on January 12, 2023 following the resignation of Ben Sasse.

Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing Nebraska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Nebraska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Dawes County, NE awarded 559 degrees. The student population of Dawes County, NE in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 709 male students and 1,389 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dawes County, NE are White (471 and 85.3%), Hispanic or Latino (47 and 8.51%), Black or African American (14 and 2.54%), and Two or More Races (12 and 2.17%).

The largest universities in Dawes County, NE by number of degrees awarded are Chadron State College (559 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Dawes County, NE are General Business Administration & Management (138 and 24.7%), Elementary Education & Teaching (49 and 8.77%), and School Counseling & Guidance Services (33 and 5.9%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $5,880 for in-state students and $5,880 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 2,098 students enrolled in Dawes County, NE, 33.8% men and 66.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,628 records, of which 68.8% were women and 31.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
95 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
49 degrees awarded
General Special Education & Teaching
30 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Dawes County, NE was General Business Administration & Management with 95 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Dawes County, NE according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Chadron State College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

559 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Chadron State College with 559 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 183 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dawes County, NE, which is 0.487 times less than the 376 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 471 degrees mean that there were 10 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 47 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($5,880) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,414) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Dawes County, NE was $150,900 in 2024, which is 0.454 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $146,500 to $150,900, a 3% increase. The homeownership rate in Dawes County, NE is 61.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Dawes County, NE have an average commute time of 15.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Dawes County, NE is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dawes County, NE. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.6%.

Housing

Property

$150,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$44,669

$2,133

Median Property Taxes

±$315

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dawes County, NE the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Dawes County, NE compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.8%

Homeownership

2024

59.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 61.8% of the housing units in Dawes County, NE were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Dawes County, NE compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$56,280

Median Household Income

± $5,544

3.45k

Number of Households

± 444

In 2024, the median household income of the 3.45k households in Dawes County, NE grew to $56,280 from the previous year's value of $54,381.

The following chart displays the households in Dawes County, NE distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $50k - $60k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Dawes County, NE is from Nebraska.

0.447

2024 Wage GINI in Nebraska

0.447

2023 Wage GINI in Nebraska

In 2024, the income inequality in Nebraska was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.182% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Nebraska was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Nebraska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Nebraska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (72.4%)
Carpooled (10.4%)
Walked (8.25%)

In 2024, 72.4% of workers in Dawes County, NE drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.4%) and those who walked to work (8.25%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

15.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dawes County, NE have a shorter commute time (15.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.01% of the workforce in Dawes County, NE have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Dawes County, NE compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Dawes County, NE distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Dawes County, NE have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dawes County, NE. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dawes County, NE (965 out of 7.35k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Dawes County, NE is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 17.3% of the children was living in poverty in Dawes County, NE. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 144 in Dawes County, NE. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 11% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.