Fort Dodge, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Dodge, Iowa had a total population of 24,827, the 20th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,649, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Fort Dodge Quick Facts
How Fort Dodge Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,788 | 24,827 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $61,769 | $60,649 | -1.8% |
| Median home value | $128,900 | $144,100 | +11.8% |
How Fort Dodge Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Dodge Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Webster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gowrie | 932 | $80,417 | 9.4% | $109,900 |
| Stratford | 735 | $47,875 | 9.0% | $89,300 |
| Dayton | 689 | $57,500 | 9.8% | $114,800 |
| Coalville | 649 | $78,000 | 14.0% | $197,500 |
| Badger | 433 | $72,750 | 5.1% | $142,800 |
| Callender | 413 | $75,000 | 5.0% | $107,100 |
| Farnhamville | 386 | $57,188 | 16.2% | $72,300 |
| Otho | 380 | $43,482 | 15.5% | $89,900 |
| Duncombe | 376 | $52,500 | 8.6% | $117,100 |
| Lehigh | 340 | $54,500 | 15.3% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Fort Dodge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $118,200 | 20.8% | 18.5% |
| Ottumwa | 25,430 | $61,103 | $106,300 | 20.8% | 17.2% |
| Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | $114,300 | 22.5% | 13.2% |
| Muscatine | 23,489 | $58,117 | $153,600 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | $142,000 | 20.8% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
Fort Dodge is a small city located in Iowa, within Webster County. The total population is 24,827. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Dodge is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Dodge is $60,649. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $144,100. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Fort Dodge is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Dodge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.9%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Dodge, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Dodge, Iowa?
Fort Dodge, Iowa has a population of 24,827 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Dodge, IA?
The median household income in Fort Dodge is $60,649, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Dodge, IA?
The poverty rate in Fort Dodge is 15.9%. This means approximately 3,524 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Dodge, Iowa?
Fort Dodge's population is 79.6% White, 4.6% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Dodge, IA?
The median home value in Fort Dodge is $144,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Fort Dodge, Iowa?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Fort Dodge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.