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CITY

Fort Dodge

Iowa · 24,837 residents (2025 est.) · 16.008 sq mi
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The short version

Fort Dodge has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,649. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $144,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,827
−1%since 2000
from 25,136 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,551 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,570 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.6
−1%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:24,837 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K25K26K26K1990201020202024Fort Dodge
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,649
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,361 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,706
+87%since 2000
from $18,018 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.9%
+21.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.455
+5%since 2010
from 0.433 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,100
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$785
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $418 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.4% in 2000
35.6% rent
Vacancy rate
10.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 37.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+24%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fort Dodge on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(22,904)
Black3.7%(931)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(739)
Asian0.8%(213)
Other0%
Diversity Score18%(4,518)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.6%(19,759)
Black4.6%(1,149)
Hispanic / Latino8.9%(2,214)
Asian1.5%(381)
Other5.3%(1,324)
Diversity Score44.2%(10,968)
Diversity Score
44
+146%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.8%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+90%since 2000
from 10.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.2%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.3%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 65.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.8%
−32.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
48.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.4%
−43.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 14.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.2%
−80.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.9%
+14.0 ptssince 2017
from 71.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2016
from 95.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 2.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Fort Dodge to nearby cities

FORT DODGE VS
Boone
Income$69,222+14%
Home value$173,000+20%
Population12,471−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT DODGE VS
Ames
Income$60,991+1%
Home value$277,400+93%
Population68,220+175%
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FORT DODGE VS
Carroll
Income$69,706+15%
Home value$188,700+31%
Population10,085−59%
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FORT DODGE VS
Perry
Income$68,910+14%
Home value$121,400−16%
Population8,208−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fort Dodge, Iowa?

Fort Dodge, Iowa has about 24,827 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fort Dodge, Iowa?

The typical household in Fort Dodge, Iowa earns about $60,649 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fort Dodge, Iowa expensive?

In Fort Dodge, Iowa, the median home is worth about $144,100, and the typical rent is about $785 a month.

How educated are people in Fort Dodge, Iowa?

About 21.7% of adults age 25 and over in Fort Dodge, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fort Dodge, Iowa?

About 15.9% of people in Fort Dodge, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fort Dodge, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Fort Dodge, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,067 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →