Fort Dodge, IA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In Fort Dodge, Iowa Summary

Life in Fort Dodge research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Fort Dodge over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Fort Dodge:

  • The population in Fort Dodge is 24,788.

  • The median home value in Fort Dodge is $127,253.

  • The median income in Fort Dodge is $61,769.

  • The cost of living in Fort Dodge is 88 which is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Fort Dodge is $764.

  • The unemployment rate in Fort Dodge is 4.1%.

  • The poverty rate in Fort Dodge is 14.4%.

  • The average high in Fort Dodge is 57.9° and the average low is 37.2°.

Fort Dodge SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
4
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
8
Safety
3
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
9.5

Fort Dodge, IA Crime Report

Crime in Fort Dodge summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Fort Dodge. Key points include:

  • There were 1,043 total crimes in Fort Dodge in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Fort Dodge is 4,256.8 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Fort Dodge is 1,061.1 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Fort Dodge is 3,195.7 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Fort Dodge is 100.86% above the national average.

1,043
Total Crimes
100.86%
Above National Average

Crime In Fort Dodge Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Fort Dodge
/ 100k People
Iowa
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 1,043 4,256.8 1,540.0 2,119.2
Violent Crime 260 1,061.1 243.3 359.0
Murder 1 4.1 2.1 5.0
Robbery 13 53.1 18.7 61.0
Aggravated Assault 209 853.0 187.2 256.0
Property Crime 783 3,195.7 1,296.8 1,760.0
Burglary 102 416.3 199.1 229.0
Larceny 604 2,465.1 962.6 1,272.0
Car Theft 77 314.3 135.1 259.0

Fort Dodge, IA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Fort Dodge summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Fort Dodge. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Iowa. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Fort Dodge is 88 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Fort Dodge is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in Fort Dodge is $127,253.

  • The median income in Fort Dodge is $61,769.

88
Fort Dodge's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Fort Dodge Comparison Table

Living Expense Fort Dodge Iowa National Average
Overall 88 90 100
Services 103 96 100
Groceries 97 97 100
Health 112 99 100
Housing 60 75 100
Transportation 97 99 100
Utilities 97 94 100

Fort Dodge, IA Weather

  • The average high in Fort Dodge is 57.9° and the average low is 37.2°.

  • There are 64.9 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 34.7 inches of precipitation each year with 34.7 inches of snow.

StatFort Dodge
Average Annual High57.9
Average Annual Low37.2
Annual Precipitation Days64.9
Average Annual Precipitation34.7
Average Annual Snowfall34.7
57.9°
Average High
64.9
Days of Rain

Fort Dodge, IA Photos

Fort Dodge Iowa
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Ft Dodge Ghost Sign
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Hawkeye Theatre
Source: Wikipedia User ShoopsPedia | GFDL
Fort Dodgec Established In  History Of Iowa
Source: Public Domain
Oleson Park Music Pavilion
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Wahkonsa Hotel
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Methodist Episcopal Fort Dodge Iowa
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Fort Dodge Iowa Ferris Wheel
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk). Or | CC BY-SA 3.0
Webster Co Iowa Courthhouse
Source: Wikipedia User Bill Whittaker (talk). Or | CC BY-SA 3.0

1 Reviews & Comments About Fort Dodge

Overall User Rating
2.0
/5

HomeSnacks User - None

I am from Fort Dodge. I can absolutely assure you this town is NOT redneck. It is full of thug wannabes, criminals, and it's terrible. Maybe do more research before you make such disgusting claims. This is an insult to actual Iowa rednecks.

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Fort Dodge in Iowa

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Map Of Fort Dodge, IA

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Fort Dodge Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Fort Dodge

The current population in Fort Dodge is 24,788. The population has decreased -2.1% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 24,788 -0.2%
2022 24,850 0.1%
2021 24,826 2.7%
2020 24,168 -0.5%
2019 24,278 -0.6%
2018 24,417 -0.6%
2017 24,566 -0.2%
2016 24,626 -0.7%
2015 24,789 -0.2%
2014 24,846 -0.5%
2013 24,972 -0.5%
2012 25,109 -0.5%
2011 25,230 -0.4%
2010 25,323 -

Race / Ethnicity in Fort Dodge

White
80.9% (20,051)
African American
4.5% (1,115)
American Indian
0.2% (51)
Asian
1.6% (401)
Hawaiian
0.0% (0)
Other
0.5% (120)
Two Or More
4.5% (1,110)
Hispanic
7.8% (1,940)

Fort Dodge is:

  • 80.9% White with 20,051 White residents.

  • 4.5% African American with 1,115 African American residents.

  • 0.2% American Indian with 51 American Indian residents.

  • 1.6% Asian with 401 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.5% Other with 120 Other residents.

  • 4.5% Two Or More with 1,110 Two Or More residents.

  • 7.8% Hispanic with 1,940 Hispanic residents.

Race Fort Dodge IA USA
White 80.9% 83.1% 58.2%
African American 4.5% 3.8% 12.0%
American Indian 0.2% 0.2% 0.5%
Asian 1.6% 2.4% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.5% 0.2% 0.5%
Two Or More 4.5% 3.2% 3.9%
Hispanic 7.8% 7.0% 19.0%

Gender in Fort Dodge

Female
48.1% (11,932)
Male
51.9% (12,855)
  • Fort Dodge is 48.1% female with 11,932 female residents.

  • Fort Dodge is 51.9% male with 12,855 male residents.

Gender Fort Dodge IA USA
Female 48.1% 49.9% 50.5%
Male 51.9% 50.1% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Fort Dodge for adults over 25

  • 3.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed < 9th grade.

  • 7.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed 9-12th grade.

  • 33.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed high school / ged.

  • 25.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed some college.

  • 12.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed associate's degree.

  • 15.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed bachelor's degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed master's degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed professional degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Fort Dodge completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
3.0% (743)
9-12th Grade
7.0% (1,735)
High School / GED
33.0% (8,180)
Some College
25.0% (6,197)
Associate's Degree
12.0% (2,974)
Bachelor's Degree
15.0% (3,718)
Master's Degree
3.0% (743)
Professional Degree
1.0% (247)
Doctorate Degree
1.0% (247)
Education Fort Dodge IA USA
< 9th Grade 3.0% 3.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 7.0% 4.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 33.0% 30.0% 26.0%
Some College 25.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 12.0% 12.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 15.0% 21.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 3.0% 7.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 1.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 1.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Fort Dodge, Iowa

  • 6.0% of households in Fort Dodge earn Less than $10,000.

  • 3.9% of households in Fort Dodge earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 10.5% of households in Fort Dodge earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 9.4% of households in Fort Dodge earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 13.0% of households in Fort Dodge earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 17.0% of households in Fort Dodge earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 15.9% of households in Fort Dodge earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 15.1% of households in Fort Dodge earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 6.1% of households in Fort Dodge earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 3.2% of households in Fort Dodge earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
6.0% (147,704)
$10,000 to $14,999
3.9% (97,217)
$15,000 to $24,999
10.5% (259,949)
$25,000 to $34,999
9.4% (233,180)
$35,000 to $49,999
13.0% (322,178)
$50,000 to $74,999
17.0% (421,508)
$75,000 to $99,999
15.9% (393,329)
$100,000 to $149,999
15.1% (373,369)
$150,000 to $199,999
6.1% (151,226)
$200,000 or more
3.2% (79,135)
Income Fort Dodge IA USA
Less than $10,000 6.0% 4.0% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.9% 3.4% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 10.5% 7.0% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.4% 7.3% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 13.0% 11.7% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.0% 17.8% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 15.9% 14.1% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 15.1% 18.4% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 6.1% 8.4% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 3.2% 8.0% 12.6%

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