Fort Madison city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fort Madison city, Iowa has a total population of 10,221, the 42nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $49,359, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Fort Madison city Quick Facts
How Fort Madison 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 Madison city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Fort Madison city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk city | 9,748 | $49,340 | $93,700 | 17.4% | 20.3% |
| Fairfield city | 9,438 | $48,302 | $152,900 | 51.2% | 19.2% |
| Carroll city | 10,261 | $59,323 | $184,100 | 25.6% | 10.4% |
| Spencer city | 11,393 | $57,068 | $178,300 | 28.2% | 14.1% |
| Storm Lake city | 11,275 | $58,341 | $163,600 | 18.9% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Fort Madison city is a small city located in Iowa. The total population is 10,221. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Madison city is 43.9 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Madison city is $49,359. This is 33% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $95,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Fort Madison city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Madison city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Madison 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 Madison city, Iowa?
Fort Madison city, Iowa has a population of 10,221 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Madison city, IA?
The median household income in Fort Madison city is $49,359, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Madison city, IA?
The poverty rate in Fort Madison city is 14.8%. This means approximately 1,395 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Madison city, Iowa?
Fort Madison city's population is 85.6% White, 4.6% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Madison city, IA?
The median home value in Fort Madison city is $95,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Fort Madison city, Iowa?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Fort Madison city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.