Fort Dodge, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Webster County County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
24,788 Population 1,548/sq mi density
$61,769 Median Income $32,899 per capita
$128,900 Home Value $132,254 Zillow
$764 Median Rent 27.1% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
1,082 Violent Crime/100K 3,281 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$61,769 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$128,900 home value, $764/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,082 violent crimes/100K (185% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Fort Dodge, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$61,769
18% below
$32,899 per capita
Home Value
$128,900
54% below
Zillow: $132,254
Median Rent
$764/mo
34% below
27.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,082/100K
185% above
3,281/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%
40% below
90.8% high school+
Unemployment
4.1%
14% above
7.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.0%
34% above
18.0% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
47°F

How Fort Dodge Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Fort Dodge's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
82%
Home Value
46%
Rent
66%
Poverty
56%
Bachelor's
60%
Unemployment
114%
Crime
285%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Fort Dodge a Good Place to Live?

B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Fort Dodge residents earn a median household income of $61,769 , which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $32,899. The unemployment rate stands at 4.1% (14% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,198 business establishments, including 82 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Fort Dodge is $128,900 , 54% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $132,254. Median rent is $764/month, with 27.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1956.

Safety & Crime

Fort Dodge reports 1,082 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 185% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,281/100K.

Education

20.1% of adults in Fort Dodge hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below the national average). 90.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.8/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Fort Dodge has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population24,788
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density1,548/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Foreign Born4.6%
Veterans7.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,769
Per Capita$32,899
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$2,759M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,091

Housing

A+
Home Value$128,900
Rent$764
Ownership64.0%
Zillow$132,254
Housing Units11,297
Rent Burden27.1%

Crime

F
Violent1,082/100K
Property3,281/100K

Health

Obesity43.0%
Diabetes10.5%
Smoking18.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
Premature Death10,249/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation1,115 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.1%
High School+90.8%
Graduate+5.5%
School Score4.8/10

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute18 min
Broadband81.0%
Internet Speed119 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries9

Did You Know?

Fort Dodge was founded in 1850.
The median home in Fort Dodge was built in 1956.
The nearest airport is Fort Dodge Regional (3 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.438 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
16.8% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 119 Mbps.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.