Small-town market profile · Iowa
Fort Dodge, IA area market data
How the Fort Dodge area compares with other small-town markets for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 36,838
- −0.4% since 2020
- Households
- 15,375
- Median household income
- $68,975
- +45.3% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $153,800
- Jobs located here
- 17,395
- Highest market score
- 66
- Fast food and sandwich shops, #123 of 537 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Fort Dodge area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Fort Dodge area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Fort Dodge area has an estimated 36,838 people and 15,375 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of the Fort Dodge area declined 0.4%, against +3.1% for the U.S. Median household income in the Fort Dodge area is $68,975, 15% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 45.3%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Fort Dodge area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 114, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (59).
Of the business types scored in the Fort Dodge area, fast food and sandwich shops (66), barbershops (64) and restaurants and cafes (63) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For fast food and sandwich shops, that ranks #123 of 537 scored small-town markets.
The Fort Dodge area is made up of one county, Webster County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for car washes and detailers (89% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate agents and brokers (42% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Fort Dodge area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Fort Dodge area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 66 | #123 of 537 | 18 | 11.7 | $3M | 99 | 22 |
| Barbershops | 64 | #106 of 377 | 5 | 3.3 | $2.8M | 148 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 63 | #143 of 538 | 141 | 91.7 | $386K | 104 | 53 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 61 | #150 of 529 | 12 | 7.8 | $4.5M | 122 | 6 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 61 | #169 of 538 | 31 | 20.2 | $2.8M | 84 | 7 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 58 | #125 of 387 | 5 | 3.3 | $3.4M | 109 | 5 |
| Nail salons | 57 | #147 of 387 | 6 | 3.9 | $2.3M | 139 | Under 3 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 57 | #179 of 507 | 12 | 7.8 | $4.5M | 109 | 6 |
| Grocery stores | 57 | #188 of 506 | 9 | 5.9 | $9.8M | 105 | 6 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 56 | #206 of 538 | 74 | 48.1 | $736K | 111 | 25 |
| Physical therapy | 55 | #170 of 400 | 7 | 4.6 | $2.9M | 120 | 6 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 52 | #178 of 387 | 5 | 3.3 | $2.4M | 93 | 4 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 51 | #230 of 458 | 14 | 9.1 | $1.4M | 81 | 15 |
| Funeral homes | 50 | #177 of 365 | 5 | 3.3 | $484K | 71 | 5 |
| Chiropractors | 50 | #215 of 426 | 8 | 5.2 | $2.5M | 106 | 7 |
| Pizza | 50 | #259 of 520 | 17 | 11.1 | $3.2M | 63 | 22 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 50 | #274 of 538 | 60 | 39.0 | $233K | 109 | 9 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 49 | #264 of 526 | 13 | 8.5 | $1.6M | 158 | 17 |
| Hair salons | 48 | #294 of 538 | 33 | 21.5 | $423K | 98 | 7 |
| Veterinarians | 46 | #235 of 398 | 7 | 4.6 | $1.7M | 62 | 4 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 45 | #317 of 536 | 31 | 20.2 | $897K | 71 | 6 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 45 | #318 of 536 | 41 | 26.7 | $678K | 77 | 6 |
| Convenience stores | 45 | #330 of 529 | 17 | 11.1 | $5.2M | 66 | Under 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 45 | #334 of 535 | 19 | 12.4 | $604K | 91 | 6 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 41 | #253 of 378 | 7 | 4.6 | $1.6M | 81 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | 40 | #314 of 454 | 6 | 3.9 | $877K | 88 | 12 |
| Gas stations | 40 | #375 of 536 | 24 | 15.6 | $1.8M | 76 | 25 |
| Tire shops | 39 | #305 of 431 | 11 | 7.2 | $1.5M | 61 | 4 |
| Car washes and detailing | 38 | #320 of 441 | 11 | 7.2 | $1.5M | 61 | 3 |
| Spas and skin care | 38 | #388 of 504 | 16 | 10.4 | $873K | 100 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 38 | #401 of 527 | 21 | 13.7 | $561K | 64 | 8 |
| Property management | 36 | #146 of 180 | 7 | 4.6 | Index only | 52 | 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 36 | #376 of 476 | 10 | 6.5 | $3.8M | 80 | 15 |
| Gyms | 36 | #401 of 506 | 12 | 7.8 | $956K | 73 | 6 |
| Auto repair shops | 36 | #411 of 538 | 44 | 28.6 | $383K | 86 | 31 |
| Laundromats | 35 | #115 of 150 | 5 | 3.3 | $5.6M | 44 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 34 | #466 of 533 | 27 | 17.6 | Index only | 137 | 11 |
| Auto repair and car care | 33 | #427 of 538 | 80 | 52.0 | $210K | 78 | 38 |
| Real estate | 33 | #471 of 536 | 35 | 22.8 | Index only | 133 | 18 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 31 | #337 of 399 | 11 | 7.2 | $1.6M | 54 | 11 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 31 | #337 of 400 | 11 | 7.2 | $1.8M | 59 | 5 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 31 | #447 of 538 | 171 | 111.2 | $118K | 78 | 50 |
| Electricians | 29 | #271 of 295 | 7 | 4.6 | $5.4M | 45 | 12 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 29 | #430 of 481 | 14 | 9.1 | $1.2M | 74 | 20 |
| Home repair trades | 24 | #508 of 526 | 25 | 16.3 | $1.5M | 63 | 33 |
| Roofing and gutters | 19 | #282 of 288 | 8 | 5.2 | $4.8M | 56 | 6 |
| Insurance agencies | 19 | #492 of 537 | 27 | 17.6 | $975K | 78 | 31 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 2.6 | $2.9M | 65 | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.0 | $5.8M | 91 | 9 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.0 | $5.6M | 41 | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.3 | $10.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.7 | $27.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.7 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 6 |
Household spending in the Fort Dodge area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $16.8M | $1,095 | 114 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $43.3M | $2,819 | 109 |
| Food away from home | $54.4M | $3,540 | 87 |
| Groceries | $88.1M | $5,728 | 91 |
| Personal care products and services | $14M | $909 | 90 |
| Child care and other personal services | $5.3M | $342 | 59 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $11.5M | $746 | 76 |
| Medical and dental services | $20.2M | $1,316 | 102 |
| Pets | $11.8M | $766 | 84 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $27.8M | $1,808 | 88 |
| Vehicle insurance | $26.3M | $1,712 | 88 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $38.1M | $2,476 | 82 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $17.5M | $1,135 | 80 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $201.3M | $13,090 | 79 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Fort Dodge area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 36,838−0.4% since 2020
- Households
- 15,375
- Median age
- 39.6
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 70%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 716 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 52
- Median household income
- $68,975+45.3% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $83,997
- Median home value
- $153,800
- Jobs located here
- 17,395
- Daytime population
- 38,670Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Fort Dodge area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Fort Dodge area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Fort Dodge area 1
- Webster County, IA36,886 people
Other markets based in Iowa 12
- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area731,120 people
- Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area381,503 people
- Cedar Rapids, IA metro area276,624 people
- Iowa City, IA metro area179,200 people
- Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area168,637 people
- Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area144,682 people
- Ames, IA metro area127,134 people
- Dubuque, IA metro area99,030 people
- Mason City, IA area49,982 people
- Clinton, IA area46,268 people
- Burlington, IA-IL area44,680 people
- Muscatine, IA area42,559 people
Questions
How fast is the Fort Dodge, IA area growing?
Population estimates put the Fort Dodge area at 36,838 people in 2025, down 0.4% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 15,375 households. Median household income rose 45.3% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Fort Dodge, IA area spend?
Households in the Fort Dodge area spend about $201.3M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $88.1M on groceries and $54.4M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Fort Dodge area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 114, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (59).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Fort Dodge, IA area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Fort Dodge area are for fast food and sandwich shops (66), barbershops (64) and restaurants and cafes (63). The Fort Dodge area ranks #123 of 537 scored small-town markets for fast food and sandwich shops.
How does the Fort Dodge, IA area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Fort Dodge area is $68,975 a year, 15% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 0.4% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $153,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Fort Dodge area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for car washes and detailers (89% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate agents and brokers (42% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 47 of the 56 business types have a score in the Fort Dodge area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Fort Dodge area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Fort Dodge area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Fort Dodge area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.