Living in Fort Madison, Iowa

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Madison · Census data 2020–2024

Fort Madison has 10,133 residents with a median age of 42.1. The median household income is $50,705 (32% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $94,200, the median rent is $826/month.

Fort Madison at a glance

Population
10,133
Median age
42.1State: 38.6
Median household income
$50,705State: $75,059
Median home value
$94,200State: $208,000
Median rent
$826/moState: $972
Homeowners
72.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
18.5%
Average commute
23 min

Is Fort Madison a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 55% lower than the state median.

Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 15%.

The weather is best in May–June and August–September.

Cost of living in Fort Madison

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Madison the median home value is $94,200, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $826 per month, which is 30.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,021 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Fort Madison$94,200
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Fort Madison$826
Iowa$972
United States$1,413

Fort Madison median household income

The median household income in Fort Madison is $50,705 and the income per person is $29,507. 15% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).

Median household income

Fort Madison$50,705
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734

Housing in Fort Madison: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
5,030
Owner-occupied
72.4%
Renter-occupied
27.6%
Vacant
9.6%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1952
Average household size
2.05

Fort Madison demographics

Population
10,133
Median age
42.1
Under 18
19.7%
65 and older
21.8%
Households
4,548
Foreign-born
2.3%
Veterans
7.5%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White89.4%
Hispanic or Latino4.8%
Black3.8%
Asian0.6%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Madison ›

Education in Fort Madison

18.5% of adults 25 and older in Fort Madison have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 3.7% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Fort Madison18.5%
Iowa31.4%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Fort Madison

Unemployment rate
7.3%State: 3.6%
Average commute
23 minState: 20 min
Work from home
6.6%
Drive alone
73.3%
Public transit
0.7%
Walk to work
1.8%
Homes with broadband
80.9%

Fort Madison vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Fort Madison10,133$50,705$94,200$826
Nauvoo931$68,750$156,700$775
Pontoosuc108$62,500$66,700—
Denmark835$136,875$194,400—
Montrose744$66,250$103,500$625
Wever142$43,750$311,100—
West Point840$73,125$178,700$617
Dallas City894$63,056$90,000$866
Donnellson776$54,453$147,800$644

More for people moving to Fort Madison

Fort Madison ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Fort Madison: FAQ

What is the median household income in Fort Madison, IA?

The median household income in Fort Madison is $50,705, 32% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Fort Madison?

The median home value in Fort Madison is $94,200, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.

How much is rent in Fort Madison?

The median gross rent in Fort Madison is $826 per month, about 30.6% of household income.

Is Fort Madison, IA a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 55% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 15%.

What is the median age in Fort Madison?

The median age in Fort Madison is 42.1 years (Iowa: 38.6).

How long is the commute in Fort Madison?

The average commute to work in Fort Madison is 23 minutes; 6.6% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Fort Madison?

The unemployment rate in Fort Madison is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Fort Madison?

18.5% of adults in Fort Madison have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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