Dawson, GA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Dawson Safe?
No — Dawson has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
Dawson has a crime rate that is 256% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 68.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 68
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
287% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 12
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
343% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Dawson Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
338 | +238% | High | |
|
Assault
|
400 | +300% | Very High | |
|
Robbery
|
321 | +221% | High | |
|
Rape
|
432 | +332% | Very High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
388 | +288% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
406 | +306% | Very High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
429 | +329% | Very High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Dawson Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Dawson Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Dawson zip codes.
Dawson Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Dawson, GA?
Dawson, GA has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 256% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 68 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 12 chance for property crime. Dawson has higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Dawson, GA safe to live in?
Dawson has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Dawson is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Dawson?
The estimated violent crime rate in Dawson is 1,472.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 287% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 68 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 16.9 per 100K (238% above average); aggravated assault at 1,073.0 per 100K (300% above average); robbery at 237.0 per 100K (221% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Dawson?
The estimated property crime rate in Dawson is 8,108.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 343% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 12 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 1,047.7 per 100K (288% above average); larceny/theft at 5,691.1 per 100K (306% above average); vehicle theft at 1,369.2 per 100K (329% above average).
How does Dawson crime compare to the national average?
Dawson's overall crime rate is 256% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (332% above average), while robbery is 221% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dawson has higher crime than 99% of them.
Is Dawson safe to visit?
Visitors to Dawson should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 343% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Dawson crime compare to the rest of Georgia?
Georgia as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Dawson's crime rate is 256% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Georgia city.
What type of crime is most common in Dawson?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dawson, with an estimated rate of 5,691.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 306% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (8,108 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,472 per 100K) in Dawson, which is consistent with national trends.