8 Best Independent Living Communities in Fort Dodge, IA

Independent Living

For many seniors, cost of owning a home might deter them from an independent life. Independent Living Communities offer a good remedy to this situation. Basic chores such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and leisure activities is maintained, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they choose, free from daily obligations. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and interests. Typically consisting of a private living area and a full kitchen, these communities offer residences with many of the amenities of apartment life but without the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and more time can be spent with them with the basic maintenance of daily tasks out of the way. While policies vary between locations, numerous residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always enlist the services of private caregivers. There are an assortment of expenditures and advantages to balance when selecting an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are included in your service plan: internet access, Waiting list deposit, parking, field trips, private phone, housekeeping, initial assessment fee, and wellness program. The luxuries associated with independent living include security guards, fitness center & swimming pool, transportation, restaurant-style dining hall, golf course, concierge services, healthcare center, and community activities.

Demographics and Values

In Fort Dodge, 8.3% of the population are veterans of the United States armed forces. Out of the total city population, 48.4% are female and 51.6% are male. The median age of Fort Dodge is 37 years old. In Fort Dodge, 19.0% live in poverty, 6.3% do not have health insurance, 16.3% have some form of disability, and 57.4% participate in the labor force. In terms of education, 32.7% have a high-school diploma, 6.4% have a graduate degree, and 21.8% have a college degree. Racially, the population of Fort Dodge is 89.3% white, 1.5% mixed race, 6.6% black, 5.5% Hispanic, 0.5% other or not specified, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.3% Native American, and 1.9% Asian. The current population of Fort Dodge consists of 24,223 people and in total the Fort Dodge metro area has a population of 24,305. Fort Dodge has a population density of 584 people per square mile.

Cost of Living

The cost of care for a community is affected by the neighborhood in which it is located. Fort Dodge has a median home value of around $89,527 and the median cost of rent is $702 per month per month. The rent burden for Fort Dodge is around 16.6% of the average person’s monthly income.

State Information

An overview of Iowa

Iowa is ranked 14th in quality of life and 20th in healthcare. The natural beauty of Iowa is ranked 32nd in the nation. Out of a national average of 100, Iowa has a cost of living index rating of 92, a grocery index rating of 96, and a housing index rating of 80. The state of Iowa has 120 hospitals and 75 health centers, providing care to a population of 3,168,703. The three highest ranked hospitals in Iowa are Mercy Hospital, St. Lukes Hospital, and And Mercy Medical Center – Cedar Rapids.

Social demographics of the state

The median age in the state is 38, and 30% of the population is over the age of 55. In Iowa, 36% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 5,107 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-28%, Mainline Protestant-30%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Iowa there are 289 masonic lodges. During the latest presidential election, 51% voted for the Republican candidate while 42% voted for the Democratic candidate. The state of Iowa ranks 43rd in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly.

State-wide weather information

The most precipitation occurs in July with an average of 6.46 inches of precipitation a month. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Iowa is around 2.93 inches. On average, Iowa has an air quality index rating of around 41.2 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 53.8 AQI. The average humidity across the state is 72%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 78% in the month of December. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 22F. The average high winter temperature is around 40F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 4F during the month of January. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 72F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 88F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 55F in the month of June. While residents of Iowa mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Iowa can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Iowa

The state of Iowa has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of cinnamon ferns, Arrowgrass, bunchberry, and pink lady’s slipper. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the bear, the gray wolf, the lynx, or the black wolf. The state animal of Iowa is the eastern goldfinch.