CREATE TABLE table_204_279 (id DECIMAL, "name of place" TEXT, "number\ of\ counties" DECIMAL, "principal\ county" TEXT, "zip code\ lower" DECIMAL, "zip code\ upper" DECIMAL)

how many places are listed previous to dixon ?
SELECT COUNT("name of place") FROM table_204_279 WHERE id < (SELECT id FROM table_204_279 WHERE "name of place" = 'dixon')
SELECT COUNT("name of place") FROM "table_204_279" WHERE "id" < (SELECT "id" FROM "table_204_279" WHERE "name of place" = 'dixon')