Fort Madison, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Madison, Iowa had a total population of 10,133, the 42nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $50,705, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% 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 Quick Facts
How Fort Madison 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 | 10,221 | 10,133 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $49,359 | $50,705 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $95,900 | $94,200 | -1.8% |
How Fort Madison 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 Madison Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | 18.3% | $104,300 |
| West Point | 840 | $73,125 | 10.2% | $178,700 |
| Denmark | 835 | $136,875 | 1.0% | $194,400 |
| Donnellson | 776 | $54,453 | 14.1% | $147,800 |
| Montrose | 744 | $66,250 | 11.7% | $103,500 |
| Sandusky | 354 | $108,977 | 11.6% | $331,300 |
| Franklin | 148 | N/A | 1.4% | $111,300 |
| Mooar | 144 | $69,423 | 4.9% | $77,200 |
| Wever | 142 | $43,750 | 16.2% | $311,100 |
| Houghton | 72 | $106,042 | 1.4% | $252,800 |
Cities Similar to Fort Madison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | $104,300 | 17.4% | 18.3% |
| Fairfield | 9,456 | $51,311 | $156,000 | 52.9% | 20.7% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
| Grinnell | 9,505 | $65,320 | $209,500 | 37.5% | 11.1% |
| Spencer | 11,400 | $59,667 | $184,800 | 29.8% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Fort Madison is a small city located in Iowa, within Lee County. The total population is 10,133. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Madison is 42.1 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Madison is $50,705. This is 32% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $94,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Fort Madison is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Madison has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 90.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Madison, 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.
Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Madison, Iowa?
Fort Madison, Iowa has a population of 10,133 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Madison, IA?
The median household income in Fort Madison is $50,705, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Madison, IA?
The poverty rate in Fort Madison is 15.0%. This means approximately 1,400 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Madison, Iowa?
Fort Madison's population is 87.9% White, 3.5% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Madison, IA?
The median home value in Fort Madison is $94,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Fort Madison, Iowa?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Fort Madison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.