Road trips across Iowa often pause in Fort Dodge, a regional manufacturing hub at the intersection of U.S. Route 169 and Historic Route 20, about 100 miles north of Des Moines. “We have more hotel rooms than needed for most towns our size,” says Troy Anderson, longtime local and Broker at Coldwell Banker Associated Realtors. “We have so many people traveling through, some stopping here and some moving on. Our hotels are full throughout the week.” Though the city’s meatpacking industry has shrunk since its midcentury heyday, today’s major employers pull from surrounding farmland to turn corn into ethanol, lysine and high-protein animal feed. “We’re still a pretty small town and focusing on that small-town atmosphere,” Anderson says. “The local economy has a lot of good-paying industrial and professional jobs.”
Fort Dodge is the county seat of Webster County and is home to about 25,000 residents.
The historic Downtown Fort Dodge has a variety of buildings, businesses, and entertainment.
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A housing stock from the early- to mid-1900s and sparse Fort Dodge developments
The median price for a home in Fort Dodge is $132,500, far below the national average. Homes from the early- to mid-1900s occupy gridded streets throughout the city. "1980 hit us hard during a farm crisis, so there wasn't a whole lot built in the '80s or even into the '90s," Anderson says. "Our boom of new homes didn't really start until the 2000s." Newer subdivisions on the north side of town contain ranch-style and New Traditional homes with two- to three-car garages. "We have an aging population here where our young people tend to leave and come back later," Anderson says. "We do have some townhomes for people who are downsizing."
Data from the Iowa Department of Public Safety shows that crimes against people in Fort Dodge have increased by about 16% since 2019. Meanwhile, property crime grew by 6%.
Many homes surrounding the downtown Fort Dodge area are pushing 100 years old.
Newer homes can be found in developments and neighborhoods on the outskirts of Fort Dodge.
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Bus routes throughout Fort Dodge and direct flights to Chicago
Though most residents drive, Dodger Area Rapid Transit operates six fixed bus routes throughout Fort Dodge to destinations like Iowa Central Community College and UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center. The crossroads between U.S. Routes 20 and 169 puts the city on the path across Iowa and state lines. Fort Dodge Regional Airport runs two direct flights to Chicago a day. “It’s another plus that many towns our size don’t have, and a good connection to get to an international airport that can take you anywhere,” Anderson says.
Des Moines River parks and the Fort Museum
Most city parks are on the west side of town along the Des Moines River shoreline or Soldier Creek. Race courses and motocross tracks neighbor cornfields and industrial centers on the city’s outskirts. The Fort Museum and Frontier Village bring the city’s military history to life from spring to fall, showcasing a replica stockade and artifact-filled exhibit, including a one-room schoolhouse and log cabin.
Loomis Park sits along the Des Moines River and provides a natural respite from the city.
Frontier Village is home to over a dozen original buildings dating back to the 1800s.
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From the downtown historic district to the future Corridor of Commerce
The Webster County Courthouse looks out over mom and pop shops, breweries and professional offices in the Fort Dodge Downtown Historic District. Meanwhile, the former site of Crossroads Mall on Business Route 20 is now one of Fort Dodge's most significant developments. "They're calling it the Corridor of Commerce," Anderson says. "We're getting new sports facilities, restaurants, and reimagined mall settings with mostly outdoor strip malls and individual stores." Chain fare and big-box stores also line this stretch; some options, like Aldi and Walmart, are the only locations for miles.
Downtown Fort Dodge is home to the Webster County Courthouse and many other historical and charming buildings.
The "Corridor of Commerce" is located on Fort Dodge's west side.
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A school district hub for Webster County
The Fort Dodge Community School District scores a C from Niche and extends to surrounding towns like Badger and Coalville. The new Fort Dodge Early Childhood Center opened its doors in 2021 to all prekindergarten and kindergarten students in the district. From there, kids attend one of four elementary schools before heading to Fort Dodge Middle School and Fort Dodge Senior High School. Iowa Central Community College offers dual enrollment courses to high schoolers virtually or in person at its campus off U.S. Route 169.
Fort Dodge Senior High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Iowa Central Community College is located on the south side of Fort Dodge.
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Music in Fort Dodge calls for a “Shellabration”
Getting involved in Fort Dodge often means putting on a show. The city is home to three independent theater organizations that recruit local talent for plays and musicals throughout the year. Civil War reenactors, a chain saw artist and a parade down Central Avenue are highlights of Frontier Days, a three-day celebration hosted by the museum. And what began as a partnership to restore the Oleson Park Bandshell has grown into Shellabration, Inc.: an all-volunteer board that organizes a namesake music event in July and the Downtown Country Jam in September. Cheering crowds and live acts replace traffic at the corner of Central Avenue and Ninth Street during each event.
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