Fort Dodge city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fort Dodge city, Iowa has a total population of 24,788, the 20th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $61,769, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Fort Dodge city Quick Facts
How Fort Dodge city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Dodge city Rankings in Iowa
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Cities Similar to Fort Dodge city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton city | 24,425 | $57,493 | $115,400 | 21.6% | 18.2% |
| Ottumwa city | 25,352 | $56,994 | $92,400 | 20.1% | 18.9% |
| Muscatine city | 23,567 | $59,332 | $146,900 | 21.2% | 16.5% |
| Mason City city | 27,135 | $62,369 | $130,000 | 21.3% | 10.6% |
| Burlington city | 23,800 | $55,274 | $115,800 | 23.0% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Fort Dodge city is a small city located in Iowa, within Webster County. The total population is 24,788. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Dodge city is 38.2 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Dodge city is $61,769. This is 16% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $128,900. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Fort Dodge city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Dodge city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Dodge city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Dodge city, Iowa?
Fort Dodge city, Iowa has a population of 24,788 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Dodge city, IA?
The median household income in Fort Dodge city is $61,769, which is 21% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Dodge city, IA?
The poverty rate in Fort Dodge city is 14.4%. This means approximately 3,184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Dodge city, Iowa?
Fort Dodge city's population is 80.9% White, 4.5% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Dodge city, IA?
The median home value in Fort Dodge city is $128,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Fort Dodge city, Iowa?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Fort Dodge city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.