Signals
Fort Dodge
Brookings
Growth
58 · Top 37%
vs64 · Top 28%
Climate
54 · Bottom 9%
vs51 · Bottom 4%
Physical resilience
61 · Top 43%
vs70 · Top 28%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs91 · Bottom 41%
Access
58 · Bottom 20%
vs62 · Bottom 24%
Economic stability
61 · Top 38%
vs72 · Top 23%
Measured values
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Brookings | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,886 | 35,353 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $68,975 | $70,064 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,947 | $35,295 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 52/sq mi | 45/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $153,800 | $264,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $785 | $901 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 70.3% | 57.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.0% | 42.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 13.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 99 | 225 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.7 | 6.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 241.4% | -35.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 81°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 7°F | 4°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 25.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 68 mi | 55 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.9 min | 15.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.7 | 28.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Fort Dodge
Elevated or high exposure: drought, strong wind.
Brookings
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, strong wind.
Your best match
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Fort Dodge
65
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Area Score
Brookings
68
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Fort Dodge, IA Micro Area · Brookings, SD Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology