Freight trains and river cruises pass through this historic southeast Iowa city
River and railroad traffic were the historical building blocks of Fort Madison, with the two modes still converging at the city's signature double-decker swing-span bridge that traverses the Mississippi River and the Illinois-Iowa state line. “It’s a major east-west crossing for Burlington Northern Santa Fe, so we get about 85 trains a day,” says Carrie Fraise, a longtime local and co-owner of Fraise Auction & Real Estate. “We’re a big train town for sure.” Today, the bridge opens for shipping barges and river cruises that stop into the city to visit a replica fort from the War of 1812 or the Sheaffer Pen Museum. Annual events draw from deep cultural roots, while downtown architecture harkens back to earlier days – though the city seeks to enhance its modern visitor experience and capitalize on its riverfront location.
Fort Madison is home to around 11,000 people.
The riverfront parks of Fort Madison provide waterfront green space to gather and enjoy nature.
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Fort Madison’s “park-to-park" historic homes and renovated options through the decades
The median home price in Fort Madison is around $120,000, far below the national median and similar to neighboring cities like Burlington and Keokuk. City green spaces frame the Park-to-Park Residential Historic District, a collection of Victorian-era home styles ranging from Italianate to Tudor Revival. “Because we're on the river, it was heavily influenced by New Orleans, so there’s quite a lot of wrought iron,” Fraise says. Early-1900s bungalows and American Foursquares, midcentury ranch-style homes and duplexes with two-car garages dominate the remaining market. The city has also revitalized its rental pool by reopening storefront apartments and repurposing unused buildings. “A friend of mine owns what was a high school built in 1920,” Fraise says. “It was converted to apartments, but they left the hallways and the lockers in place, and the theater is still in the center.”
Fort Madison has many large ornate homes of various styles in the center of town.
Smaller home styles in Fort Madison include bungalows and ranches.
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Riverview Park views, Rodeo Park trails and historic sites
The Fort Madison Bridge may open for riverboats and barges, but kayaks also pass right underneath its metal beams. Nearly 200 slips were recently added to Fort Madison Marina as part of an ongoing riverfront renovation that also includes Riverview Park. Baxter Sports Complex, the Fort Madison Family YMCA and block-long city parks are farther inland. “Our original gazebo has been redone in Old Settler’s Park, and the bandstand in Central Park has also been updated,” Fraise says. Forests open up to several playgrounds, shelters with seating, disc golf courses and campgrounds at Rodeo Park.
The Fort Madison Bridge is a unique double-decker design that allows for car and train traffic at the same time.
Baxter Sports Complex plays host to youth soccer games during the warmer months.
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Cultural celebrations from the Tri-State Rodeo to the Mexican Fiesta
RVs roll into Rodeo Park on Labor Day Weekend as cowboys from across the region gear up for events from bull riding to barrel racing. The Tri-State Rodeo has been a Fort Madison staple since 1947 and remains one of the top rodeos in the PRCA Great Lakes Circuit. “We get voted as the cowboys' favorite all the time because of all the stuff that the community does for them when they’re in town and how welcoming everyone is,” Fraise says. Meanwhile, the Mexican Fiesta has marked Mexican Independence Day in Fort Madison for over 100 years. The event features folk dance performances, vendors and a parade honoring the local Hispanic community that helped build the railroad system over a century ago.
The Fort Madison Tri-State Rodeo draws thousands of competitors and spectators annually.
Fort Madison employers and passenger rail
Local manufacturing ranges from wind turbine blades to Scotts Miracle-Gro. Other big employers include the Fort Madison campus of Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center and the Iowa State Penitentiary. The latter is located north of the town center, though the wall from the original 1839 facility still stands. “The state hasn’t decided what to do about it yet, but occasionally they open it for tours,” Fraise says. The Southwest Chief Amtrak line also runs through Fort Madison on its path from LA to Chicago. “Burlington has an airport with flights to Chicago and St. Louis, and you can connect with anything from there,” Fraise says. “The next closest airport is Cedar Rapids, which is about 90 minutes away.”
Several large manufacturing companies have campuses near Fort Madison, giving ample employment opportunity.
Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison is an accessible hospital for the region.
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Fort Madison’s historic downtown digs, riverfront breweries and local grocery options
Avenue G still houses shops and restaurants from original early-1900s storefronts. Downtown dives are paired with repurposed riverfront breweries and a handful of chains. Hy-Vee, Fareway Meat & Grocery and Aldi have locations here, while a Walmart is within 20 miles in either direction. “You can kinda get what you need in town, but it’s not a big deal to go to Burlington or Keokuk," Fraise says.
Downtown Fort Madison's buildings all have unique charm and character.
Several grocery stores, including Aldi and Fareway, are available to Fort Madison residents.
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Expansions and consolidations in Fort Madison’s school districts
The Fort Madison Community School District extends to surrounding rural areas and scores a C from Niche. “It's a huge district geographically, and a ton of kids get bused in,” Fraise says. “If you live in town, you walk to wherever the closest park is and that’s where the buses pick up.” The district recently retired two elementary schools; prekindergarten through sixth grade now attend the newly renovated Fort Madison Elementary School, while Fort Madison Junior/Senior High School serves Grades 7 through 12. A handful of students on the southwest end of town are zoned for Central Lee Community School District, which scores a B. Local parishes support Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, a system of private, tuition-based options located in Fort Madison and nearby West Point.
Fort Madison Elementary School serves students in grades K-6.
Fort Madison Junior & Senior High School serves students in grades 7-12.
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Fort Madison’s crime trends and tornado history
FBI statistics show that violent crime in Fort Madison dropped sharply from 2021 through 2023, while property crime has been on a downward trend since 2017. Along with hot, humid summers and snowy winters, Fort Madison residents keep an eye on tornado reports for the region. A category EF-2 event touched down outside Fort Madison in the spring of 2024, damaging one home and the city’s pickleball courts. Lee County tests its outdoor warning sirens monthly and participates in Iowa’s Severe Weather Awareness Week each March.
Written By
Emma Downes
Photography Contributed By
Drew Davis
Video By
Stewart Taveras
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Fort Madison by the Numbers
10,378
Population
53
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$116,560
Median Single Family Price$119,950
Average Price Per Sq Ft$94
Months Of Supply3
Demographics and Finance
Median Household Income$49K
Lower than National Average$71K
% Owners71%
Higher than National Average63%
College Graduates18%
Lower than National Average34%
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Fort Madison, IA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Lincoln Elementary School
C
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Richardson Elementary School
C-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#3 Central Lee Elementary School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Central Lee Middle School
B
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#2 Fort Madison Middle School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 Central Lee High School
B+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#2 Fort Madison High School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Private Schools
#1 Holy Trinity Junior/Senior Catholic High School
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
