Signals
Yankton
Fort Dodge
Growth
64 · Top 28%
vs58 · Top 37%
Climate
56 · Bottom 15%
vs54 · Bottom 9%
Physical resilience
55 · Top 50%
vs61 · Top 43%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 33%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
68 · Bottom 35%
vs58 · Bottom 20%
Economic stability
66 · Top 32%
vs61 · Top 38%
Measured values
| Metric | Yankton | Fort Dodge | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,414 | 36,886 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $72,821 | $68,975 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,047 | $35,947 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 45/sq mi | 52/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $225,900 | $153,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $781 | $785 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.7% | 70.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 22.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 12.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 175 | 99 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 7.5 | 2.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -3.8% | 241.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 10°F | 7°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 28.7" | 35.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 51 mi | 68 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 16.1 min | 20.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.5 | 39.7 | 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
Yankton
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, hail.
Fort Dodge
Elevated or high exposure: drought, strong wind.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Yankton
68
Your Score
—
Area Score
Fort Dodge
65
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Yankton, SD Micro Area · Fort Dodge, IA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology