Dawson ZIP Codes — Lac Qui Parle County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Dawson, Minnesota and it is 56232. Area code: 320.

ZIP codes

141.83

sq mi land

0.18

sq mi water

320

area code

Dawson, MN ZIP code map

About Dawson, MN

Dawson, Minnesota, is a charming city nestled in the heart of Lac Qui Parle County. Known for its small-town ambiance and friendly residents, it offers a peaceful lifestyle amidst picturesque natural settings. The city is an ideal spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquility of rural Minnesota.

Location & geography

Dawson is located in the southwestern region of Minnesota, surrounded by lush landscapes and agricultural fields. It is approximately 26 miles from the larger city of Willmar, 30 miles from Montevideo, 17 miles from Madison, and 40 miles from Morris. The city covers a total area of 141.83 square miles, with a minimal 0.18 square miles of it being water, making it predominantly land-based.

Community & economy

The community in Dawson is characterized by its engaged residents who take pride in their city and its heritage. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, along with small businesses that cater to the daily needs of residents. Daily life in Dawson is marked by a strong sense of connection among residents, with community events and gatherings fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Transportation

Dawson is accessible via State Highway 212, which runs east-west through the region, connecting it to other towns and cities. The nearest major airport is located in Willmar, providing broader travel options for residents and visitors. Local transit options may be limited, but the city's compact size makes it easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle.

History

Dawson was founded in the late 19th century and quickly developed into a hub for agriculture and trade in the region. The city witnessed a growth spurt with the arrival of the railroad, enhancing its industrial capabilities and connectivity. Notable events in its history include the establishment of various local businesses that have contributed to Dawson's economic strength.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Dawson is that it features the historic Dawson Bay, which attracts visitors looking for scenic views and recreational opportunities. Additionally, the city hosts various annual events that celebrate the local heritage and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Dawson, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56232	Dawson	Lac Qui Parle	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,308

Population

41.1

Median age

$76,667

Median household income

$37,650

Per capita income

$158,900

Median home value

$573

Median monthly rent

83.5%

Home ownership

4.8%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

854

Housing units

23.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

107

5–9

102

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

160

35–44

152

45–54

55–59

60–64

161

65–74

153

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	577	25.0%
18 and over	1,731	75.0%
65 and over	551	23.9%
Median age	41.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.2%

Two or more races 4.8%

Black or African American 1.2%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 0.8%

Asian 0.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,130	91.2%
Two or more races	113	4.8%
Black or African American	29	1.2%
Hispanic or Latino	27	1.2%
Other race	18	0.8%
Asian	16	0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	2	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%

$10k–$15k 4.7%

$15k–$25k 4.5%

$25k–$35k 4.8%

$35k–$50k 11.5%

$50k–$75k 21.0%

$75k–$100k 16.4%

$100k–$150k 20.4%

$150k–$200k 5.0%

$200k+ 8.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.3%
$10k–$15k	4.7%
$15k–$25k	4.5%
$25k–$35k	4.8%
$35k–$50k	11.5%
$50k–$75k	21.0%
$75k–$100k	16.4%
$100k–$150k	20.4%
$150k–$200k	5.0%
$200k+	8.4%
Median income	$76,667

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.6%

$50k–$100k 16.5%

$100k–$150k 16.2%

$150k–$200k 14.4%

$200k–$300k 19.6%

$300k–$500k 13.9%

$500k–$1M 4.0%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$158,900
Median rent / month	$573
Owner occupied	83.5%
Renter occupied	16.5%
Vacant	12.6%
Single-family detached	85.3%
Large apartment buildings	3.0%
Mobile homes	1.7%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.71

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.8%
2000–2009	4.2%
1990–1999	5.2%
1980–1989	6.2%
1970–1979	17.9%
1960–1969	6.0%
1950–1959	10.1%
1940–1949	5.7%
1939 or earlier	39.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.4%
1 bedroom	5.9%
2 bedrooms	22.2%
3 bedrooms	37.1%
4 bedrooms	21.6%
5+ bedrooms	10.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.1%
1 vehicle	20.5%
2 vehicles	42.5%
3 or more	33.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	51.8%
Electricity	24.5%
Propane / LP gas	19.8%
Fuel oil	1.5%
Wood	0.5%
Solar	0.8%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	531	60.9%
Cohabiting couple	59	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	129	14.8%
Female householder, no spouse	153	17.5%
Households with children under 18	274	31.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	360	41.3%
Average household size	2.55

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.8%	22.8%
Married	56.6%	59.0%
Separated	0.5%	0.4%
Widowed	6.7%	6.2%
Divorced	6.3%	11.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 7.5%

HS graduate 30.1%

Some college, no degree 22.1%

Associate's degree 15.9%

Bachelor's degree 18.3%

Graduate / professional 5.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.7%
Bachelor's or higher	23.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	15	3.1%
Kindergarten	55	11.3%
Elementary school	216	44.5%
High school	150	30.9%
College / grad school	49	10.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 32.8%

Manufacturing 16.9%

Retail trade 10.3%

Agriculture & mining 7.8%

Professional & management 5.7%

Finance & real estate 5.5%

Construction 4.7%

Other services 4.2%

Wholesale trade 3.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.5%

Public administration 1.4%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	47.0%
Service	9.5%
Sales & office	14.3%
Natural resources & construction	9.5%
Production & transportation	19.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.1%
Government	15.6%
Self-employed	11.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.5%
Carpool	6.0%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	5.7%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	15.3

Poverty

All people 4.8%

Under 18 years 1.1%

18 and over 6.1%

Married-couple families 1.7%

Female-led households 8.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.8%
Retirement income	28.9%
Supplemental Security	3.1%
Cash public assistance	1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.1%
High cholesterol	33.8%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	8.7%
Arthritis	27.7%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.7%
No physical activity	22.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.2%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	10.3%
No health insurance	10.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.6%
Visited dentist	68.2%
Cholesterol screening	91.2%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	141	8.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.7%
Under 18	3.6%
18–64 years	10.7%
65 and over	35.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.5%
Public insurance	39.9%
Uninsured under 19	1.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,174	94.2%
Spanish	7	0.3%
Other Indo-European	3	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.1%
Other languages	2	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,264	98.1%
Born in same state	2,264	98.1%
Born in different state	1,793	77.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	44	1.9%
Not a US citizen	34	77.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	1,038	45%
Italian	96	4.2%
Arab	64	2.8%
French	49	2.1%
English	41	1.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	30	1.3%
Dutch	23	1%
Irish	7	0.3%
Norwegian	2	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.8%
Internet access	91.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Dawson, MN have?

Dawson, MN has one ZIP code: 56232. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.