Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Dawson has a population of around 399 people. The township's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Dawson has decreased by ▼ -14.74%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 468 | 399 | --14.74% |
2026 Population Projection
Dawson's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 399 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Dawson Population Trend & Context
Dawson is the 367th-largest township in Ontario, with a 2021 census population of 399 — a decline of 69 (▼ 14.74%) people from the 468 recorded in 2016.
The township's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Ontario townships. The township's median age of 56.4 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
How does Dawson compare to other Ontario townships?
- Kee-Way-Win: 409 (2021)
- Kenora 38B: 402 (2021)
- Dawson: 399 (2021) ← 367th largest
- Pickle Lake: 398 (2021)
- Sabaskong Bay 35D: 383 (2021)
Population By Genders
The male population of Dawson is around 210 while the female population is around 195.
Of the 399 total population in Dawson, the largest gender is male with around 210 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 210 | 195 | -7.14% |
Is Dawson a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Dawson compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Ontario, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Dawson Population Compared to Ontario
Ontario's population in 2021 was 14,223,942, spread across the area. Here's how Dawson compares to the township's key indicators:
| Indicator | Dawson | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,000 | $91,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 12.2% |
| Median age | 56.4 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.5% | 33.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 9.8% | 30.0% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Dawson has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 13.80% of the total population. The township median age is 56.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 58 57.60% | 54 53.60% | 6.94% | 56 56.40% |
| 60 to 64 years | 30 14.30% | 25 12.80% | 16.67% | 55 13.80% |
| Average age of the population | 49 49.20% | 49 49.00% | 0.00% | 49 49.10% |
| 65 to 69 years | 25 11.90% | 25 12.80% | 0.00% | 45 11.30% |
| 70 to 74 years | 20 9.50% | 20 10.30% | 0.00% | 40 10.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 15 7.10% | 10 5.10% | 33.33% | 30 7.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 25 11.90% | 10 5.10% | 60.00% | 30 7.50% |
| 50 to 54 years | 10 4.80% | 20 10.30% | 50.00% | 25 6.30% |
| 10 to 14 years | 10 4.80% | 10 5.10% | 0.00% | 20 5.00% |
| 45 to 49 years | 10 4.80% | 15 7.70% | 33.33% | 20 5.00% |
| 75 to 79 years | 10 4.80% | 5 2.60% | 50.00% | 20 5.00% |
| 5 to 9 years | 10 4.80% | 5 2.60% | 50.00% | 15 3.80% |
| 20 to 24 years | 10 4.80% | 10 5.10% | 0.00% | 15 3.80% |
| 25 to 29 years | 5 2.40% | 10 5.10% | 50.00% | 15 3.80% |
| 40 to 44 years | 10 4.80% | 5 2.60% | 50.00% | 15 3.80% |
| 30 to 34 years | 10 4.80% | 5 2.60% | 50.00% | 10 2.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 10 4.80% | 5 2.60% | 50.00% | 10 2.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 5 2.40% | 5 2.60% | 0.00% | 10 2.50% |
| 85 years and over | 0 0.00% | 5 2.60% | 100.00% | 10 2.50% |
Broader Age Groups
If the township's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 58.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 15 to 64 years, account for 30.00% and 58.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Dawson are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Dawson
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Population of Dawson by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Dawson is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Dawson is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the township appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Dawson are English, which accounts for 34.15% of the total population, followed by Scottish (31.71%), Irish (21.95%), Canadian (18.29%), and Swedish (17.07%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Dawson include French, Ukrainian, German, Polish, and Norwegian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 36.73% | 29.41% | 34.15% |
| Scottish | 28.57% | 32.35% | 31.71% |
| Irish | 10.20% | 38.24% | 21.95% |
| Canadian | 24.49% | 11.76% | 18.29% |
| Swedish | 14.29% | 20.59% | 17.07% |
| French | 8.16% | 20.59% | 13.41% |
| Ukrainian | 8.16% | 17.65% | 12.20% |
| German | 10.20% | 8.82% | 9.76% |
| Polish | 14.29% | 0.00% | 9.76% |
| Norwegian | 10.20% | 5.88% | 7.32% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Dawson's population profile.
About 9.8% of Dawson's population are immigrants (40 people).
The top countries of origin for Dawson's immigrant population are United States of America (20), Hong Kong (0), Korea, South (0), Taiwan (0), Philippines (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United States of America | 20 |
| Hong Kong | 0 |
| Korea, South | 0 |
| Taiwan | 0 |
| Philippines | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 185 of Dawson's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 21.05% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 17.10% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.25%, 5.25%, and 2.65%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 80 | 21.05% |
| 1 person | 65 | 17.10% |
| 3 persons | 20 | 5.25% |
| 4 persons | 20 | 5.25% |
| 5 or more persons | 10 | 2.65% |
Income in Dawson
Analyzing income distribution in Dawson can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Dawson is $40,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Dawson population or around 50 people falls in the Under $10,000 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 45 and 40 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Dawson's median household income is $75,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Dawson's median household income is 9,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the township's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the township's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Dawson
This data sheds light on the distribution of Dawson residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
51.75% or most of the Dawson population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 35.85% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 14.50% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.10% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 135 | 145 | 275 | 51.75% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 130 | 65 | 195 | 35.85% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20 | 55 | 80 | 14.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 50 | 25 | 75 | 13.10% |
Below national average 14.5% of Dawson's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Dawson
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Dawson. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Dawson is at 2.74% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 43.84% |
| Unemployment rate | 2.74% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the township who work as an employee. The majority of Dawson's population (around 71.40%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 40 men and 0 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 45.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 40 | 0 | 45 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Dawson industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Dawson is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Dawson has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (23%) works in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector. The Wholesale trade sector comes second at 14%, followed by Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 30 | 0 | 23% |
| Wholesale trade | 15 | 10 | 14% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 15 | 0 | 11% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 15 | 9% |
| Construction | 10 | 0 | 6% |
| Retail trade | 10 | 0 | 6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 10 | 0 | 6% |
| Educational services | 0 | 10 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 0 | 6% |
| Public administration | 0 | 0 | 6% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Dawson residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Dawson: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (23%), Wholesale trade (14%), Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (11%)
Top occupation categories in Dawson: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (29%), Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (14%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the township. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 65 | 50 | 120 | 75.00% |
| Worked at home | 20 | 0 | 20 | 12.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 15 | 0 | 15 | 9.40% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 10 | 6.30% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Dawson residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Dawson residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Dawson spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the township's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the township.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 32.10% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 25.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 21.40% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 10.70% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Dawsonshed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the township's social fabric. We can gain insights into Dawson's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights township's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in Dawson. About 395 people living in the province speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 395 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 92.5% | 100.0% |
| Non-official languages | 5.0% | 1.3% |
| French | 1.3% | 0.0% |
Religion
Dawson is predominantly Christian. About 240 of its population is Christian (135 males and 135 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 58.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Dawson
Hospitals
Schools
Parks
Libraries
Places to Visit in Dawson
Museums
Green Spaces in Dawson
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Peace Park | Parks | 2.6 ha |
| Timber Mill Park | Parks | 11.8 ha |
| Clementson Wayside Park | Parks | 3.3 ha |
| Hannam Park | Parks | 1.7 ha |
| Spooner Wildlife Management Area | Nature Reserves | 144.6 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Other Townships in Ontario
- Alberton 954
Frequently Asked Questions about Dawson
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Dawson has a population of 399 people, making it the 367th township in Ontario. The population declined significantly from 468 in 2016, a decrease of 69 people or 14.74%. The township has a population density of 1.2 people per km² across a land area of 343.42 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Dawson's population declined by 14.74% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 468 to 399 people, a loss of 69 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Ontario townships during this period. The median age of 56.40 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (34.2%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Dawson has a population density of approximately 1.20 people per square kilometre.
Dawson covers a land area of approximately 343.42 km².
The median age of the population in Dawson is 56.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Dawson is English.
The median household income in Dawson is $75,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Dawson.
Christian is the predominant religion in Dawson.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.