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Fort Dodge, Iowa

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**History and Geography**:
– Fort Dodge was established in 1850 by E Company of the 6th Infantry and was originally named Fort Clarke before being renamed after Henry Dodge.
– The town of Fort Dodge was founded in 1869 and is located at the junction of the Des Moines River and Lizard Creek in Webster County, Iowa.
– Gypsum production in Iowa began in 1872 with the Fort Dodge Plaster Mills.
– The city covers a total area of 16.31 square miles, with 0.26 square miles being water.
– Fort Dodge is known for its scenic riverfront and natural surroundings.

**Climate and Demographics**:
– Fort Dodge experiences a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
– Average daily maximum temperatures range from 25.5°F in January to 94.2°F in July.
– Average daily minimum temperatures vary from 7.4°F in January to 58.4°F in July.
– Fort Dodge receives an average of 39 inches of snowfall annually.
– In the 2010 census, the city had 25,206 residents living in 10,275 households with a predominantly White population and notable African American and Hispanic communities.
– The median age in Fort Dodge was 36.8 years, with a fairly balanced gender distribution, and a median household income of $33,361 with a poverty rate of 7.7%.

**Economy and Infrastructure**:
– Major industries in Fort Dodge include biofuels, livestock feed, gypsum and limestone mining, drywall manufacturing, and trucking services.
– Companies like National Gypsum, Georgia Pacific, and United States Gypsum operate in Fort Dodge.
– Fort Dodge is home to Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Boehringer Ingelheim, and retail also plays a significant role in the local economy.
– U.S. Route 20 and U.S. 169 bypass Fort Dodge, Iowa Highway 7 terminates at the northwest edge, and DART operates six local bus routes on weekdays.
– Jefferson Bus lines link Fort Dodge to Williams and offer expanded services.

**Arts, Culture, and Recreation**:
– Fort Museum and Frontier Village is a full-scale recreation of a 19th-century military outpost, and the Blanden Memorial Art Museum is the first public art museum in Iowa.
– Annual events like Frontier Days and Shellabration feature historical reenactments and rock concerts.
– Oleson Park, Snell-Crawford Park, Rosedale Rapids, and John F. Kennedy Park offer various recreational activities like hiking, disc golf, aquatic centers, and camping.
– Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park opened in 2006 on abandoned gypsum mines.

**Education, Media, Transportation, and Healthcare**:
– Iowa Central Community College’s central campus is in Fort Dodge, and the Fort Dodge Community School District serves the area.
– Public schools include Fort Dodge Senior High School and Fort Dodge Middle School, with private schools like St. Edmond and Community Christian School also present.
– Various radio stations serve the community, covering news, music, and sports.
– Fort Dodge Regional Airport primarily serves general aviation and is located conveniently for residents.
– Unity Point Hospital, formerly Trinity Regional Medical Center, is the city’s main healthcare provider, offering essential medical services to the community.

Fort Dodge, Iowa (Wikipedia)

Fort Dodge is a city in and the county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 24,871 in the 2020 census, a decrease from 25,136 in 2000. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S. Routes 20 and 169.

Fort Dodge, Iowa
Central Avenue
Central Avenue
Flag of Fort Dodge, Iowa
Official seal of Fort Dodge, Iowa
Official logo of Fort Dodge, Iowa
Motto: 
Frontier of the Future
Location in the State of Iowa
Location in the State of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°30′24″N 94°10′49″W / 42.50667°N 94.18028°W / 42.50667; -94.18028
CountryUnited States
State Iowa
CountyWebster
Incorporated1869
Government
 • MayorMatt Bemrich
 • City ManagerDavid Fierke
Area
 • Total16.27 sq mi (42.15 km2)
 • Land16.01 sq mi (41.46 km2)
 • Water0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
Elevation
1,155 ft (352 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total24,871
 • Density1,553.66/sq mi (599.87/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50501
Area code515
FIPS code19-28515
GNIS feature ID0456686
Websitewww.fortdodgeiowa.org
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