Dawson County grew from 26,798 people in the 2020 Census to an estimated 35,365 in 2025. The 2020 Census counted 11,926 housing units.
Utilities
- Power: Amicalola EMC, Georgia Power and Sawnee EMC split the county.
- Water and sewer: the Etowah Water & Sewer Authority and the City of Dawsonville; many rural homes use septic and wells.
- Gas and internet: Atlanta Gas Light lines with a marketer you choose; Kinetic by Windstream and North Georgia Network fiber.
- Garbage: city service inside the limits; private haulers and the Burt Creek landfill outside.
Getting set up
- Buy a Georgia tag within 30 days; driver’s licenses come from the DDS center in Cumming.
- Tags and tax bills: the Tax Commissioner, 706-344-3520. Homestead: the Tax Assessor, 706-344-3590.
- The post office and sheriff: 452 Hwy 53 East and 19 Tucker Avenue.
Health, library and services
Dawson County Library
Chestatee Regional Library System · 342 Allen Street
Phone (706) 344-3690.
Source: City of Dawsonville, checked Oct 19, 2026
Dawson County Health Department
Public health · 751 Hwy 53 East, Suite 100
Phone 706-265-2611.
Source: District 2 Public Health, checked Oct 19, 2026
NGHS Medical Plaza 1
Family medicine, imaging, lab · 108 Prominence Ct.
Family medicine, pediatrics, lab work and an imaging center.
Source: NGHS, checked Oct 19, 2026
NGMC Lumpkin
Hospital with 24/7 emergency care · 495 GA-400, Dahlonega
Opened April 15, 2024.
Source: NGHS, checked Oct 19, 2026
Dawson County Senior Center
Seniors and Dawson Transit · 201 Recreation Rd
(706) 344-3700; Dawson Transit (706) 344-3603.
Source: City of Dawsonville, checked Oct 19, 2026
Parks and the outdoors
Amicalola Falls State Park
State park · 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Drive
829 acres; the 729-foot falls; a new visitor center opened in late 2023.
Source: Amicalola Falls State Park, checked Oct 19, 2026
Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area
Public forest · 5872 Highway 53 W
25,500 acres; trails close to non-hunters during firearms deer hunts.
Source: Georgia DNR, checked Oct 19, 2026
River Park on the Etowah
County canoe launch · Off Highway 9 South
Free launch about 4 miles from downtown; $3 take-out at Kelly Bridge.
Source: Dawson County Parks, checked Oct 19, 2026
Rock Creek Sports Complex
County parks headquarters · 445 Martin Road
Splash pad, ball fields, gyms, tennis and pickleball, a walking trail.
Source: Dawson County Parks, checked Oct 19, 2026
Veterans Memorial Park
County park · Highway 9 North
Football field, swimming pool and walking trail.
Source: Dawson County Parks, checked Oct 19, 2026
Commutes
| From | Cumming | Alpharetta | Gainesville | Dahlonega | Downtown Atlanta | Atlanta airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawsonville square | 28 min19.6 mi | 45 min33.5 mi | 38 min23.4 mi | 26 min14.4 mi | 74 min57.9 mi | 92 min68.2 mi |
| GA 400 at GA 53 | 18 min13.3 mi | 35 min27.2 mi | 27 min16.8 mi | 21 min14.6 mi | 64 min51.5 mi | 82 min61.8 mi |
| War Hill Park (Lake Lanier) | 29 min16.7 mi | 45 min30.5 mi | 33 min19.0 mi | 34 min20.2 mi | 75 min54.9 mi | 92 min65.2 mi |
| Big Canoe main gate | 47 min32.2 mi | 62 min31.6 mi | 57 min36.0 mi | 44 min27.0 mi | 82 min67.1 mi | 100 min77.4 mi |
| Amicalola Falls visitor center | 49 min36.2 mi | 66 min50.1 mi | 56 min36.8 mi | 28 min18.5 mi | 96 min74.4 mi | 113 min84.8 mi |
Schools are on their own page: Dawson County schools.