Fort Dodge, IA vs Spencer, IA

Side-by-side comparison from the latest government data.

MetricFort Dodge, IASpencer, IA
Population24,82711,400
Median Household Income$60,649$59,667
Median Rent$785/mo$805/mo
Median Home Value$144,100$184,800
Cost of Living (US = 100)——
Renters Paying 30%+ of Income42.2%36.9%
Poverty Rate15.9%14%
Unemployment Rate3.8%3.2% (county)
Violent Crime Rate /100k94096
Property Crime Rate /100k2,848874
Median AQI45—
Good AQI Days /yr——
Summer Highs81°F82°F
Winter Lows11°F10°F
Snowfall39 in/yr43 in/yr
Avg Commute19 min15.8 min
Hospitals11
Avg Hospital Rating2.0 / 54.0 / 5
Students per Teacher16.515.2
College Degree Rate21.7%29.8%
Foreign-Born %4.1%3.3%
Population Growth (2020–2025)-0.2%-0.9%

Green = clearly better (more than 5% apart). Population, growth, weather, hospital count and foreign-born share aren’t scored.