The numbers behind Medicare in Dawson County
| Dawson County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,692 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 14.1% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 2,245 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,076 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 47.9% | 54.9% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 1,692 residents age 65 and older, Dawson County is 172nd among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 14.1% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. About 651 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 58% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 32% is 75 to 84 and 10% is 85 or older. Medicare Advantage enrollment in Dawson County is 47.9% of people with Medicare, lower than the Texas average of 54.9%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Dawson County
Dawson County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 2,328 Medicare beneficiaries in Dawson County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the Texas average of 73. About 19% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 11%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Dawson County, CMS reported about 810 emergency room visits and 231 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (580) and close to it for hospital stays (226). About 12% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Dawson County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Dawson County; we help Dawson County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Dawson County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Dawson County:
- Medical Arts Hospital — Lamesa (acute care; government-owned; emergency services)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Where people live in Dawson County
The largest communities in Dawson County by 2023 Census population estimates are Lamesa (8,266), Ackerly (162), O'Donnell (98), Los Ybanez (21). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Dawson County number 2: 79331, 79377. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Dawson County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Dawson County residents
Here is what we can help Dawson County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Ready to compare plans in Dawson County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Medicare 101 for families
Dawson County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry County | 1,758 | 59.6% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Zapata County | 1,856 | 74.9% | 45% | Smaller city/town |
| Ward County | 1,518 | 39.8% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Reeves County | 1,501 | 34.7% | 27% | Smaller city/town |
| Andrews County | 1,936 | 50.5% | 17% | Smaller city/town |
| Stephens County | 1,939 | 40.6% | 12% | Smaller city/town |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.