Webster County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,999. The county seat is Fort Dodge. The county was established in January 1851, one of 43 counties established by a legislative package. This county was named after Daniel Webster, an American statesman noted for his moving oratory. Webster County comprises the Fort Dodge, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 718 sqmi, of which 716 sqmi is land and 2.8 sqmi (0.4%) is water.

Major highways

Transit

Airport

The Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD) is located just north of Fort Dodge. It is primarily a general aviation airport. Daily direct flights are operated to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, with connecting service through Mason City to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 36,999 in the county, with a population density of. 94.86% of the population reported being of one race. There were 16,937 housing units, of which 15,046 were occupied.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 38,013 in the county, with a population density of. There were 17,035 housing units, of which 15,580 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 40,235 people, 15,878 households, and 10,304 families in the county. The population density was 56 /mi2. There were 16,969 housing units at an average density of 24 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.39% White, 3.39% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 2.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 15,878 households 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.30% of households were one person and 13.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97. The age distribution was 24.50% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males. The median household income was $35,334 and the median family income was $43,772. Males had a median income of $31,047 versus $23,042 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,857. About 6.70% of families and 10.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Webster County. † county seat

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Townships include:

Notable people

Politics

In every U.S. presidential election from 1984 to 2012, the Democratic candidate has won a majority in Webster County, but in 2016 the county voted for Republican Donald Trump by a wide margin, a nearly 27 point swing from 2012. In 2020, Trump received a larger percentage of the county's vote (over 61%) than any presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.