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CITY

Fort Madison

Iowa · 9,935 residents (2025 est.) · 9.652 sq mi
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#299Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-7.1%
The short version

Fort Madison has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,705. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $94,200. Households here earn about 32% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% 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
10,133
−5%since 2000
from 10,715 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,050 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 1,110 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.1
+6%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,935 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K10K11K11K12K1990201020202024Fort Madison
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,705
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,318 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,507
+63%since 2000
from $18,124 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.0%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.429
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.429 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,200
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$826
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.4%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 69.6% in 2000
27.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+21%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fort Madison on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.9%(9,629)
Black2.6%(274)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(583)
Asian0.6%(65)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.4%(2,188)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.9%(8,905)
Black3.5%(354)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(483)
Asian0.6%(56)
Other3.3%(335)
Diversity Score27.9%(2,826)
Diversity Score
28
+37%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.5%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 85.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.1 min
+94%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.3%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 82.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.5%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.5%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.3%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.6%
−7.7 ptssince 2011
from 63.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.2%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Female
47.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.5%
−43.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.2%
+6.5 ptssince 2012
from 15.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.4%
−79.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.9%
+10.0 ptssince 2017
from 70.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 97.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Fort Madison to nearby cities

FORT MADISON VS
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Income$52,711+4%
Home value$104,300+11%
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FORT MADISON VS
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FORT MADISON VS
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Income$61,042+20%
Home value$160,900+71%
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FORT MADISON VS
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Income$44,411−12%
Home value$103,300+10%
Population14,530+46%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Fort Madison, Iowa?

Fort Madison, Iowa has about 10,133 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Fort Madison, Iowa earns about $50,705 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fort Madison, Iowa expensive?

In Fort Madison, Iowa, the median home is worth about $94,200, and the typical rent is about $826 a month.

How educated are people in Fort Madison, Iowa?

About 18.5% of adults age 25 and over in Fort Madison, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fort Madison, Iowa?

About 15.0% of people in Fort Madison, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fort Madison, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Fort Madison, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,485 residents, a change of about -13 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 →