City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Fort Dodge, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Fort Dodge - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

24,788
Residents
$61,769
Median income
$128,900
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Fort Dodge - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fort Dodge lands in the 38th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
6th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Fort Dodge, IA

Fort Dodge is a small city in Iowa, home to 24,788 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $61,769 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.0%. Typical homes in Fort Dodge are valued around $128,900, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. Educational attainment runs 20.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 4 residential building permits were authorized in Fort Dodge (Construction Slowdown), down 71% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Fort Dodge's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 4256.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $919 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 60.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

24,788 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$61,769 /yr

Poverty 7.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Fort Dodge compare to other US cities?

Fort Dodge measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Iowa alone, Fort Dodge ranks #138 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Fort Dodge against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Fort Dodge near the bottom of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Fort Dodge ranks #450 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fort Dodge only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#504 of 845
40th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#367 of 849
57th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#370 of 858
56th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#339 of 858
60th percentile in Iowa

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Iowa only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

38thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fort Dodge's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fort Dodge's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 44 Avg. percentile National median
Fort Dodge's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Fort Dodge's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$128,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Fort Dodge $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Fort Dodge, IA Fort Dodge, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fort Dodge, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Fort Dodge, IA median $61,769/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Fort Dodge, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Fort Dodge, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
24,788
Median Income
$61,769
Median Home Value
$128,900
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor force participation
55.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4256.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1061.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3195.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
24,600 residents24,800 residents25,000 residents25,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 24,891 residents 24,837 residents ▼ -0.2%
Fort Dodge's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 131
2021 5
2022 121
2023 35
2024 4

Permit volume decreased 71% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.9%
Carpool
8.5%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
3.2%
Other
3.0%

Based on 11,273 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Fort Dodge sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$919/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.0 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Clinton
24,425 people
Ottumwa
25,352 people
Johnston
24,196 people
Burlington
23,800 people
Muscatine
23,567 people
Coralville
22,846 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Dodge's 24,788 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pecan Grove, TX
24,798 people
Yukon, OK
24,802 people
Big Spring, TX
24,769 people
Centerville, OH
24,815 people
Westchase, FL
24,818 people
Ardmore, OK
24,757 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fort Dodge's $61,769 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Riverdale, VA
$61,779 median income
South Canal, OH
$61,758 median income
South Greensburg, PA
$61,782 median income
Fort Carson, CO
$61,783 median income
Moyie Springs, ID
$61,783 median income
Nashville, IL
$61,753 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fort Dodge, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Fort Dodge, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.5% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.8% White 83.5% Black or African American 4.5% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 7.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Fort Dodge compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Fort Dodge (this city) 24,788 $61,769
Clinton 24,425 $57,493
Ottumwa 25,352 $56,994
Johnston 24,196 $103,430
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fort Dodge, IA?

What is the population of Fort Dodge, IA? +

Fort Dodge, IA counts 24,788 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fort Dodge, IA? +

Median annual household income in Fort Dodge runs $61,769, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fort Dodge? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fort Dodge; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Fort Dodge, IA safe? +

Fort Dodge has a total crime rate of 4256.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Fort Dodge, IA? +

The median home value in Fort Dodge is $128,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.