City · Iowa
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge, city, in Webster County, Iowa. Fort Dodge had 24,837 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 24,871 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 24,827 (±47). GEOID 1928515.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
24,837
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,871 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,827 ±47
Median household income
$60,649
±$6,463 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$144,100
±$11,581 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$785
±$35 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Fort Dodge and what county is it in?
Fort Dodge is a city in Webster County, Iowa. It covers 16.0 square miles of land, 1,554 residents per square mile in 2020.
Fort Dodge is in the Fort Dodge, IA micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Fort Dodge, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 24,837 people lived in Fort Dodge on July 1, 2025, down 0.2% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020 Census counted 24,871 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 24,827 (±47).
| Measure | Fort Dodge | Webster County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,827 ±47 | 36,886 | +549 |
| Households | 10,272 ±353 | 15,375 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.15 ±0.07 | 2.21 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,475 ±193 | 17,082 | +304 |
Fort Dodge's population since 2000
From 25,136 in 2000 to 24,837 in 2025: down 1.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Fort Dodge as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fort Dodge?
The median resident of Fort Dodge is 37.6 years old; 20.7% are under 18 and 19.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.9%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fort Dodge | Webster County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.6 ±1.5 | 39.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.7% ±0.9 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.0% ±0.8 pts | 19.9% | – |
| Male | 51.6% ±0.9 pts | 52.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.9% ±0.5 pts | 6.6% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.6% ±1.0 pts | 83.9% | −3.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±0.9 pts | 3.3% | −2.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1% ±1.1 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2% ±1.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4% ±1.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2% ±1.7 pts | 14.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2% ±1.5 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8% ±1.4 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.7% ±2.3 pts | 22.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6% ±1.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.4% ±2.9 pts | 84.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±0.9 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Fort Dodge earn?
Half of Fort Dodge's 10,272 households earn less than $60,649 a year (±$6,463), against $68,975 in Webster County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,318 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,331 after inflation. 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fort Dodge | Webster County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,649 ±$6,463 | $68,975 | +$10,331 |
| Mean household income | $78,288 ±$5,809 | $83,997 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,706 ±$2,375 | $35,947 | +$3,825 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.9% ±2.6 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.9% ±5.7 pts | 14.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.6% ±2.3 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.6% ±1.5 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.9% ±2.3 pts | 87.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Fort Dodge?
Owners occupy 64.4% of Fort Dodge's occupied homes and renters 35.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $144,100 by its owner (±$11,581). The median renter pays $785 a month including utilities, and 34.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fort Dodge | Webster County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $144,100 ±$11,581 | $153,800 | +$28,907 |
| Median gross rent | $785 ±$35 | $785 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.5% ±6.0 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,260 ±$74 | $1,276 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.4% ±3.9 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.6% ±3.9 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Housing units | 11,475 ±193 | 17,082 | +304 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7% ±1.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9% ±2.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.7% ±3.4 pts | 75.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.5% ±0.8 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.0% ±1.8 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.1% ±3.0 pts | 32.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.6% ±2.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Fort Dodge building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in Fort Dodge in 2025 (4 in single-family houses), 0.2 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fort Dodge work and get to work?
80.2% of Fort Dodge's workers drive alone and 4.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Fort Dodge | Webster County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.3% ±2.1 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% ±1.5 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.2% ±3.8 pts | 82.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9% ±2.2 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.4% ±1.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4% ±1.4 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min ±2.3 | 20.2 min | +4.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Fort Dodge?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Fort Dodge, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $30,860 (Tract 7) to $86,069 (Tract 1.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1.01Webster County | 4,571 | $86,069 |
| Tract 6Webster County | 3,962 | $55,777 |
| Tract 2Webster County | 3,747 | $80,617 |
| Tract 1.02Webster County | 2,992 | $45,996 |
| Tract 9Webster County | 4,653 | $58,125 |
| Tract 4Webster County | 2,414 | $53,162 |
| Tract 7Webster County | 1,641 | $30,860 |
| Tract 3Webster County | 1,404 | $55,368 |
| Tract 5Webster County | 1,719 | $70,662 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Fort Dodge) · Census block assignment files
How does Fort Dodge compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Fort Dodge is the 1,631st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 21st-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Fort Dodge ranks 213th of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 21st | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 126th | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 45th | 279 |
| Median household income | 213th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 208th | 279 |
| Median home value | 189th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 177th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 38th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 175th | 279 |
| Median age | 187th | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 237th | 279 |
| Work from home | 205th | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 164th | 279 |
Fort Dodge's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Fort Dodge with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Fort Dodge?
6 of the 57 figures for Fort Dodge on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fort Dodge are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Fort Dodge.