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Fort Dodge, IA

Frequently asked questions

Fort Dodge, IA

Fort Dodge is a city in and the county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 24,871 in the 2020 census, a decrease from 25,136 in 2000. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S. Routes 20 and 169.

Fort Dodge traces its beginnings to 1850 when E Company of the 6th Infantry was sent from Fort Snelling to erect and garrison a fort at the junction of the Des Moines River and Lizard Creek. It was originally named Fort Clarke but was renamed Fort Dodge because there was another fort with the same name in Texas. It was named after Henry Dodge, a governor of Wisconsin Territory (which had included Iowa until Iowa became a state in 1846). The fort was abandoned by the Army in 1853.

The next year William Willams, a civilian storekeeper in Fort Dodge, purchased the land and buildings of the old fort. The town of Fort Dodge was founded in 1869. In 1872 the long and continuing history of gypsum production in Iowa started when George Ringland, Webb Vincent, and Stillman T. Meservey formed the Fort Dodge Plaster Mills to mine, grind, and prepare gypsum for commercial use. The Company constructed the first gypsum mill west of the Mississippi River, at the head of what is now known as Gypsum Creek.

In 2018, Kris Patrick, Executive Director of Fort Dodge Main Street, stated that Fort Dodge is locally referred to as "Little Chicago" because architects modeled downtown buildings to resemble Chicago in the mid-1900s.

Fort Dodge is located at 42°30′25″N 94°10′50″W (42.506803, −94.180271), on the Des Moines River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.31 square miles (42.24 km²), of which 16.05 square miles (41.57 km²) is land and 0.26 square miles (0.67 km²) is water.

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, Fort Dodge boasts several parks and recreational areas, including John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and Snell-Crawford Park, offering residents and visitors opportunities for outdoor activities and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The Community Orchard not only provides a peaceful setting for nature walks but also hosts wellness events focused on healthy living. Serenity Spa specializes in relaxation and rejuvenation treatments, from facials to full-body massages. For golf enthusiasts, Fort Dodge Country Club combines physical activity with leisure, featuring a well-maintained course and fitness facilities. Lastly, Webster County Conservation areas offer numerous trails for hiking and biking, promoting outdoor fitness and wellness activities. 

Top sites in Fort Dodge, IA are The Fort Museum and Frontier Village, Blanden Memorial Art Museum, and Fort Frenzy.

Population: 24,591 (2023). ZIP code: 50501. Area code: 515. Elevation: 1,155 ft (352 m). Area: 16.27 sq mi (42.15 km²).

FAQs

What is Fort Dodge, IA famous for?

The major industries of Fort Dodge are biofuels, livestock feed, gypsum and limestone mining, can production, drywall manufacturing, trucking, the manufacture of veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines, and retail. Gypsum rock is processed into drywall and plaster products at several Fort Dodge manufacturing facilities. Drywall was patented by a Fort Dodge resident, and the gypsum used to create the Cardiff Giant hoax of the late 19th century was mined at Fort Dodge.

What is Fort Dodge's, IA crime rate?

With a crime rate of 36 per one thousand residents, Fort Dodge has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 28. Within Iowa, more than 99% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Fort Dodge.

What are the demographics of Fort Dodge, IA?

Fort Dodge is a city located in Webster County Iowa. Fort Dodge has a 2024 population of 24,500. It is also the county seat of Webster County. Fort Dodge is currently declining at a rate of -0.37% annually and its population has decreased by -1.46% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 24,864 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Fort Dodge was White: 83.91% Two or more races: 6.59% Black or African American: 4.89% Other race: 2.7%, Asian: 1.62%, Native American: 0.29%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Fort Dodge

Webster County

Britannica

World Population Review

Neighborhood Scout

The Fort Museum and Frontier Village

Blanden Memorial Art Museum

Fort Frenzy

John F. Kennedy Memorial Park

Snell-Crawford Park

The Community Orchard

Serenity Spa 

Fort Dodge Country Club

Webster County Conservation

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