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Dobson, NC
Town in Surry County, North Carolina.
Population
1,652
Land area
2sq mi
People per sq mi
813
ZIP codes
0
Dobson and its ZIP codes
Dobson at a glance
- Dobson is about 3.7 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $43,750 a year, 40% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $173,900 (40% below North Carolina) and median rent is $528 a month.
Local data for Dobson, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Dobson, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$43,750
Poverty rate
22.4%
Median home value
$173,900
Median rent
$528/mo
Homeownership
48.7%
Bachelor's or higher
24.3%
Median age
35.8
Average commute
18.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (225), Irish Americans (160), German Americans (86).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Surry County. PPP loans are for Dobson.
Unemployment rate
3.3%
Aug 2026, -0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,491
28,718 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$54,267
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$473M
FY 2026, $6,623 per person
How people get to work
Dobson, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone61.4%
- Carpooled30.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other3.2%
- Worked from home5.4%
Average one-way commute: 18.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Dobson, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
866
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
19
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 25°F
50.5 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Dobson, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.1%
U.S. 33.3% +4.8 pts
Diabetes
11.8%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
15.5%
U.S. 12.8% +2.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.8%
U.S. 11.1% +2.7 pts
Cities near Dobson
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| White PlainsCensus-designated place | 5.7 mi | 4 |
| ToastCensus-designated place | 8.7 mi | 1.5 |
| Mount AiryCity | 10 mi | 11.7 |
| BoonvilleTown | 11 mi | 1.2 |
| Flat RockCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 2.6 |
| ElkinTown | 11 mi | 6.8 |
| LowgapCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 1.1 |
| JonesvilleTown | 13 mi | 2.9 |
| Pleasant HillCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.6 |
| Cana, VACensus-designated place | 14 mi | 7.9 |
| SmithtownCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 1.3 |
| Pilot MountainTown | 14 mi | 2 |
| East BendTown | 17 mi | 1.3 |
| PinnacleCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 3.6 |
| RondaTown | 17 mi | 1.1 |
| YadkinvilleTown | 18 mi | 2.9 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Dobson, NC in?
- Dobson is in Surry County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Dobson, NC?
- About 1,652 people live in Dobson, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Dobson?
- Nearby places include White Plains (5.7 mi), Toast (8.7 mi), Mount Airy (10 mi), Boonville (11 mi), Flat Rock (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023