Fort Dodge: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Fort Dodge center on a median $40,217 (1.8× below Ford County median $70,781; 1.8× below Kansas median $74,275), with homes at a median value of $-666,666,666. The surrounding county supports 17,354 jobs (avg $45,212).
- $63,070 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Kansas $76,783).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $40,217 — below the Kansas median ($64,620).
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 25.6% |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 20.9% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $16,460 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,038,139 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $63,070 (vs Kansas $76,783) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $36,085 |
| Median Household Income | $40,217 (vs Kansas $64,620) |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Transportation |
| Economic Character · Income Level | working-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $40,217 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents.
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 17.80 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 17,354 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $784,634,014 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $45,212 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,412,000 |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 64 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 87,428 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1,366.10 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Grain, Animal Totals, Cattle, Soybeans |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 957 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 15,240 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 609,657 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 7 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 17 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 8 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 36 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 25 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 6 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (10)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Dollar General 3246 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 1.5 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | MERIDEN-OZAWKIE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $235,968,185 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,054.81 (vs Kansas $6,960) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 38,972 people (vs Kansas 58,384) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Retirement Score · Median age | 67.9 years (vs Kansas 36.5y) |
|---|---|
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 100.0% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |