Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Dawson’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Dawson differs from Georgia on 26 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Dawson. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Dawson
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Dawson
1 in 14 adults have had a stroke (7.1%), about twice the Georgia rate. 1 in 8 adults have COPD (11.9%), vs 6.5% across Georgia. Diabetes is also above the state: 23.9%, vs 13.3% across Georgia. In all, Dawson runs above Georgia on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Dawson adults get no exercise
43.8% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 26.5% across Georgia. Habits ↓
Dental care lags in Dawson
42.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.2% across Georgia. Among those 65 and older, 29% have lost all their teeth (Georgia 14.5%). Checkups ↓
Dawson is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Dawson is healthier than 1%. Against the 440 towns with similar household incomes ($21K–$36K), it’s healthier than 17%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Georgia figure falls outside Dawson’s likely range.
What’s behind Dawson’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Dawson is near the bottom of U.S. towns, #257 of 261 in Georgia. All seven of Dawson’s estimates fall in the lowest 5% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 23.9% of adults, against 13.3% across Georgia and 12% nationally.
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Dawson’s median household income is $28,533; among the 440 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($21K–$36K), it’s healthier than 17%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Dawson compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.1% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 9.8% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 82.3% (U.S. 77.4%).
Out of every 100 Dawson adults…
Dawson runs below GA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 9. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Georgia
Share of adults, with the Georgia figure marked.
Keeping up with care
Share of Dawson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Georgia.
Care in and near Dawson
2 community health centers in Dawson, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Dawson; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
How Dawson adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Dawson runs above Georgia.
2 in 5 Dawson adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
41.3% of Dawson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.2% across Georgia.
Dawson and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson | D− | 47.6% | 23.9% | 23% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Dawson adults live with a disability (Georgia 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Dawson
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Dawson is better than Georgia on 4 and worse on 22; on the rest, the Georgia figure falls inside Dawson’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Dawson | GA | U.S. | vs GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 36.3%32.2–40.8 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.9%17.6–22.4 | 13.5% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21%18.6–23.6 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.6%39.3–56.2 | 35.2% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 23.9%21.2–26.6 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 52.3%47.9–56.5 | 37.4% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.9%35.6–44.4 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33%29.6–36.5 | 24.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.9%11.4–14.5 | 10.1% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.1%5.5–6.7 | 7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.4%8.5–10.6 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.9%10.5–13.6 | 6.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 7.1%6.5–7.9 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 29%24.4–33.7 | 14.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23%19.7–26.5 | 13.6% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 43.8%38–50 | 26.5% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 9.8%7.9–11.9 | 14.5% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 47.8%40.4–55.3 | 38.4% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 18.8%15.8–22.1 | 13.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.3%79.2–85.1 | 78.4% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 42.3%38.6–46 | 59.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.8%82.7–86.9 | 86.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.7%79.5–83.9 | 77.4% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.1%57.5–68.1 | 64.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75%66.8–81.7 | 75.8% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 18.8%15.8–21.9 | 19% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 42.4%36.6–48.3 | 37.3% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.8%28.2–37.4 | 24.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 40.9%36.1–45.8 | 17.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 30.6%26.8–34.3 | 15% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 22.7%19.9–25.7 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 20.6%18.1–23.1 | 9.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 41.3%36.6–45.8 | 14.2% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.5%39.4–49.8 | 29.6% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.8%23.7–30.2 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21.1%18.5–23.9 | 14.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.5%6.6–8.4 | 6.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 12.4%11–14 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 16.5%14.6–18.7 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 9.8%8.7–11 | 4.2% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Georgia figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Dawson
Is Dawson a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Dawson is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health, #257 of 261 in Georgia. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 17%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Dawson?
CDC estimates 47.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.3% and 56.2%, against 35.2% across Georgia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Dawson?
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, 20.6 miles in a straight line from Dawson’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Dawson have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 18.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 15.8–22.1%), against 13.1% across Georgia.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Dawson more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Dawson.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Georgia figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.