Fort Dodge, IA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

37,114

2.11% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

39.2

0.254% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

14.3%

0.172% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$56,934

9.68% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$110,900

2.78% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

17,548

3.03% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Fort Dodge, IA had a population of 37.1k people with a median age of 39.2 and a median household income of $56,934. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Fort Dodge, IA grew from 36,348 to 37,114, a 2.11% increase and its median household income grew from $51,909 to $56,934, a 9.68% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Fort Dodge, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (85.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.29%), White (Hispanic) (3.26%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.68%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.53%).

None of the households in Fort Dodge, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98% of the residents in Fort Dodge, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Fort Dodge, IA are Iowa Central Community College (1,064 degrees awarded in 2021) and La James International College-Ft Dodge (17 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Fort Dodge, IA was $110,900, and the homeownership rate was 68.1%.

Most people in Fort Dodge, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Fort Dodge, IA was 2 cars per household.

Fort Dodge, IA borders Boone, IA.

United States Iowa

Population & Diversity

Fort Dodge, IA is home to a population of 37.1k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.62% of Fort Dodge, IA residents were born outside of the country (973 people).

In 2021, there were 19.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (31.7k people) in Fort Dodge, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.59k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.21k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2021 Citizenship

98.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98% of Fort Dodge, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Fort Dodge, IA was 98.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Fort Dodge, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Fort Dodge, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
31.7k ± 138
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
1.59k ± 193
White (Hispanic)
1.21k ± 284

5.72%

Hispanic Population

2.12k people

5.72% of the people in Fort Dodge, IA are hispanic (2.12k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Fort Dodge, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,634 ± 4,977 people
India
10,950 ± 2,565 people
Vietnam
8,674 ± 2,283 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,634 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,950 and Vietnam with 8,674.

Foreign-Born Population

2.62%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

973 people

2.75%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

998 people

As of 2021, 2.62% of Fort Dodge, IA residents (973 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Fort Dodge, IA was 2.75%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Fort Dodge, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
7,222 ± 407
Gulf War (2001-)
3,231 ± 378
Korea
2,557 ± 231

Fort Dodge, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.24 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Fort Dodge, IA employs 17.5k people. The largest industries in Fort Dodge, IA are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,643 people), Manufacturing (2,599 people), and Retail Trade (2,236 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($58,750), Public Administration ($56,303), and Manufacturing ($53,340).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,335. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

17.5k

2021 Value

± 878

3.03%

1 Year growth

± 6.72%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Fort Dodge, IA grew at a rate of 3.03%, from 17k employees to 17.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Fort Dodge, IA, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,838 people), Management Occupations (1,786 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,739 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Fort Dodge, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

17.5k

2021 Value

± 878

3.03%

1 Year growth

± 6.72%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Fort Dodge, IA grew at a rate of 3.03%, from 17k employees to 17.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Fort Dodge, IA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,643 people), Manufacturing (2,599 people), and Retail Trade (2,236 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Fort Dodge, IA, though some of these residents may live in Fort Dodge, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,679

Median earning men ± $3,254

$29,669

Median earning women ± $1,921

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($63,080), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,250), and Manufacturing ($54,512).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Construction ($122,763), Manufacturing ($51,275), and Public Administration ($46,006).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

361
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
288
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
202
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$354k
Manufacturing
$268k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$118k
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Fort Dodge, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.16%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Fort Dodge, IA awarded 1,081 degrees. The student population of Fort Dodge, IA in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 2,572 male students and 2,451 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Fort Dodge, IA are White (758 and 74%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (81 and 7.9%), Black or African American (77 and 7.51%), and Unknown (51 and 4.98%).

The largest universities in Fort Dodge, IA by number of degrees awarded are Iowa Central Community College (1,064 and 98.4%) and La James International College-Ft Dodge (17 and 1.57%).

The most popular majors in Fort Dodge, IA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (419 and 38.8%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (133 and 12.3%), and Registered Nursing (75 and 6.94%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 5,023 students enrolled in Fort Dodge, IA, 51.2% men and 48.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,217 records, of which 53% were women and 47% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Criminal Justice - Police Science
22 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
416 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
75 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Fort Dodge, IA was Criminal Justice - Police Science with 22 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Fort Dodge, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Iowa Central Community College
1,064 degrees awarded
La James International College-Ft Dodge
17 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Iowa Central Community College with 1,064 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 447 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Fort Dodge, IA, which is 0.705 times less than the 634 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 758 degrees mean that there were 9.36 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 81 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($5,280) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($720) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,520) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Measure

In 2021, 0.63% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.621% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (742k), Some college (567k), and Bachelors Degree (459k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Fort Dodge, IA was $110,900 in 2021, which is 0.453 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $107,900 to $110,900, a 2.78% increase. The homeownership rate in Fort Dodge, IA is 68.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Fort Dodge, IA have an average commute time of 18.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Fort Dodge, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Fort Dodge, IA is $56,934. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Fort Dodge, IA was Dallas County, IA with a value of $93,492, followed by Warren County, IA and Madison County, IA, with respective values of $85,189 and $79,306.

Housing

Property

$110,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,741

$10,656

Median Property Taxes

±$596

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Fort Dodge, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Fort Dodge, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

68.1%

Homeownership

2021

62%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 68.1% of the housing units in Fort Dodge, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Fort Dodge, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Fort Dodge, IA was Dallas County, IA with a value of $93,492, followed by Warren County, IA and Madison County, IA, with respective values of $85,189 and $79,306.

The following map shows all of the counties in Fort Dodge, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$56,934

Median Household Income

± $2,977

15.7k

Number of Households

± 792

In 2021, the median household income of the 15.7k households in Fort Dodge, IA grew to $56,934 from the previous year's value of $51,909.

The following chart displays the households in Fort Dodge, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Fort Dodge, IA is from Iowa.

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2021, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.221% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (82%)
Carpooled (8.71%)
Walked (3.43%)

In 2021, 82% of workers in Fort Dodge, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.71%) and those who walked to work (3.43%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Fort Dodge, IA have a shorter commute time (18.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.4% of the workforce in Fort Dodge, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Fort Dodge, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Fort Dodge, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Fort Dodge, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Fort Dodge, IA (4.91k out of 34.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 12 - 14.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Fort Dodge, IA is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93.3% of the population of Fort Dodge, IA has health coverage, with 47.3% on employee plans, 20.4% on Medicaid, 13.9% on Medicare, 10.2% on non-group plans, and 1.55% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Iowa see 1347 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.737% decrease from the previous year (1357 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1436 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 569 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

1,347 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Iowa

Primary care physicians in Iowa see an average of 1,347 patients per year. This represents a 0.737% decrease from the previous year (1,357 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Iowa in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.1% under 18 years, 20.6% between 18 and 34 years, 36.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.7%

Uninsured

47.3%

Employer Coverage

20.4%

Medicaid

13.9%

Medicare

10.2%

Non-Group

1.55%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Fort Dodge, IA grew by 16.6% from 5.75% to 6.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Fort Dodge, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.