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CITY · 2020 ACS

Fort Dodge

Iowa · 24,871 residents · 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 $44,290. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $99,200. Households here earn about 28% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,871
−1%since 2000
from 25,136 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,554 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,570 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+1%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K25K26K26K1990201020202024Fort Dodge
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,290
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,361 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,938
+44%since 2000
from $18,018 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.8%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.8%
US avg: 10%
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,200
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$667
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $418 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 66.4% in 2000
36.9% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+17%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic80.7%(20,075)
Black6.8%(1,702)
Hispanic / Latino6.8%(1,693)
Asian1%(250)
Other2.8%(704)
Diversity Score39.2%(9,756)
Diversity Score
39
+118%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.0%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.7 min
+57%since 2000
from 10.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.4%
−9.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.5%
−31.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
48.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.8%
−80.5 ptssince 2013
from 87.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Fort Dodge

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Compare Fort Dodge to nearby cities

FORT DODGE VS
Boone
Income$69,222+56%
Home value$173,000+74%
Population12,471−50%
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FORT DODGE VS
Ames
Income$60,991+38%
Home value$277,400+180%
Population68,220+175%
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FORT DODGE VS
Carroll
Income$69,706+57%
Home value$188,700+90%
Population10,085−59%
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FORT DODGE VS
Perry
Income$68,910+56%
Home value$121,400+22%
Population8,208−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fort Dodge, Iowa?

Fort Dodge, Iowa has about 24,871 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Fort Dodge, Iowa earns about $44,290 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 $99,200, and the typical rent is about $667 a month.

How educated are people in Fort Dodge, Iowa?

About 20.7% 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 17.0% 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 1,023 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

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