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City Profile

Fort Dodge, Iowa

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Fort Dodge Custom Comparison
62
Overall Score

Fort Dodge, located along the Des Moines River in Webster County, Iowa, is a historic Midwestern hub with a strong industrial and agricultural heritage. Founded in the mid-19th century as a military post, the city grew significantly due to its rich gypsum deposits, earning it a reputation as a major center for building materials and manufacturing. Today, Fort Dodge serves as a regional commercial and healthcare center for north-central Iowa, offering a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. People are drawn to the area for its rich history, affordable living, and tight-knit community feel.

About Iowa

Iowa, located in the Midwest, is characterized by its expansive farmlands and a generally relaxed, community-focused lifestyle. The state's economy is diverse, with major industries including advanced manufacturing, biosciences, finance and insurance, and its foundational agricultural sector, which leads in corn, soybean, ethanol, and pork production. Living in Iowa is notably affordable, with the cost of living, particularly housing, being significantly lower than the national average. The climate is humid continental, featuring hot, humid summers and cold winters, with seasonal precipitation and susceptibility to various natural disasters like snowstorms, floods, and tornadoes.

24,869
Population
$52K
Avg Salary
82
Cost Index
62.0
Quality Score
How this 62/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 65 / 100 65.0 30% 19.5
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 82.0 66.3 25% 16.6
Economy & jobs Median household income: $53,500 Income needed to live here: $42,000 Unemployment rate: 4.2% 65.9 20% 13.2
Growth Population growth rate: no usable reading Job growth rate: 1.1% 42.0 15% 6.3
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 65 / 100 65.0 10% 6.5
Overall score 62.0

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
65
Livability
72
Affordability
85
Growth
62

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Fort Dodge is notably lower than the national average, making it an attractive destination for families and retirees looking to stretch their budgets. Housing costs, in particular, remain very affordable compared to larger metropolitan areas across the United States. Everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and transportation also track below national norms, contributing to overall financial ease for local residents.

Average Rent
$850/mo
Groceries
$350/mo
Transport
$110/mo
Utilities
$170/mo
Healthcare
$220/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$40.00
Cinema ticket
$11.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$18.00
Monthly groceries
$350.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$130.00

Income

Salary Insights

Fort Dodge features a diverse economy anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and retail trade. Major employers in the area include UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center, Georgia-Pacific, and various regional agricultural enterprises. The local job market remains stable with steady employment opportunities in production, healthcare services, and education. While traditional industries dominate, the city also supports a growing network of small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

The average salary in Fort Dodge is $52,000 per year. You would need approximately $42,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Retail Trade +0.80% Manufacturing +1.20% Educational Services +1.00% Healthcare and Social Assistance +1.80% Agriculture and Agribusiness +1.50%

Weather

Climate

🌡️
50°F
Avg Temp
☀️
81°F
Summer High
❄️
13°F
Winter Low
🌧️
40.80"
Annual Rain
💧
68.00%
Humidity
🌤️
255
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Fort Dodge is primarily car-dependent, with well-maintained roadways and manageable traffic patterns that ensure short commute times. US Routes 20 and 169 intersect near the city, providing convenient regional connectivity to Des Moines and other Iowa hubs. While public transit options are limited, the compact layout of the city makes driving and parking straightforward for residents.

16 min
Avg Commute
35.00/10
Transit Score
45.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average per Census Bureau data.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time on personal pursuits.
Strong regional healthcare presence anchored by UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
Active local arts scene highlighted by the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
Drawbacks
Cold winter climates with significant snowfall can pose challenges for daily travel and outdoor activities.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Slower population growth compared to larger metropolitan areas in Iowa like Des Moines.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions within the immediate city limits.
Nightlife and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger urban centers.

Head to Head

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Community Q&A

Questions about Fort Dodge

What people ask about living in and moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa.

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Gathering the most common questions about Fort Dodge…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.
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