Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, situated on the Des Moines River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 25,136. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S. Highways 20 and 169.

Geography

Fort Dodge is located at 42°30'24" North, 94°10'49" West (42.506803, -94.180271)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.4 km² (14.8 mi²). 37.7 km² (14.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.89% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 25,136 people, 10,470 households, and 6,376 families residing in the city. The population density was 666.6/km² (1,726.1/mi²). There were 11,168 housing units at an average density of 296.2/km² (766.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.47% White, 3.79% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 2.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,470 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,361, and the median income for a family was $42,555. Males had a median income of $31,253 versus $23,360 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,018. 11.6% of the population and 7.7% of families were below the poverty line. 14.2% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Major industries

The major industries of Fort Dodge are: gypsum and limestone mining, drywall manufacturing, trucking, veterinary pharmaceuticals/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.

Fort Dodge is the home of Fort Dodge Animal Health (division of Wyeth) USA manufacturing. A major producer of pharmaceuticals and vaccines for veterinarians, the company's headquarters were moved from Fort Dodge to Overland Park Kansas in 1995. Two of the copmany's three USA manufacturing plants are located in Fort Dodge.

At least three major national trucking companies (primarily flatbed carriers serving the drywall industry) are based out of Fort Dodge.

Fort Dodge serves as a retail center for North-Central Iowa.

The Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, 1,250-bed medium security state prison, opened in 1998.

For most of the 20th century, meatpacking was a major industry in Fort Dodge. The last two large meatpacking plants (owned by IBP and Hormel) closed during the 1980s.

Cultural

Cultural Attractions in Fort Dodge are the Fort Museum which has a replica of the Cardiff Giant, which was a fossilized giant humanoid "discovered" at Cardiff, New York. The Cardiff Giant was later proved to be a hoax, sculpted from gypsum mined at Fort Dodge. The Fort Museum is a full scale recreation of a military outpost on the prairie from the 19th century. Also in Fort Dodge is the Blanden Memorial Art Museum, the first public museum of art in the state of Iowa. The Blanden, opened June 5, 1932, is renowned as one of the finest small museums in the nation for its extensive permanent collection as well as popular touring exhibits.

Iowa Central Community College's main campus is located in Fort Dodge. The Fort Dodge Municipal Band is the Karl King Band

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