Dexter is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 640 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code50070

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Dexter

Housing in Dexter

$251K▼ 3.2% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Dexter home is worth about $251,000, down 3.2% in a year, close to the Iowa typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Dexter

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Dexter for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Des Moines (19%), West Des Moines (16%) and Adel (7%). Half commute less than 26 miles.

Des Moines

19%

West Des Moines

16%

Adel

Urbandale

1%Work in townlive and work in Dexter 26 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 104Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Dexter →

Health in Dexter

Compared with Iowa

11better than IA

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 21 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▲ 7 close Habits 1▲ 3 close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind 1▲ 4 close Everyday needs 3▲ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

8.3%Fewer adults facing food insecurityIA 12% · better 8.3%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethIA 11.6% · better

Care nearby

Madison County Health Care SystemWinterset · 16.9 mi · ER · rural critical access

Primary Health Care - West Side ClinicUrbandale · 27 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Dexter · CMS · HRSAHealth in Dexter →

Natural hazards in Dexter

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 39% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌵 Drought

0Does Dexter flood?no paid flood claims on record 5Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Dexter

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Dexter →

Climate in Dexter

Full climate →

Dexter has cold winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 26 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

34° / 15°Winter

61° / 38°Spring

83° / 62°Summer

63° / 40°Fall

How much snow does Dexter get?About 26 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 12, with the last in spring around Apr 25.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Dexter →

Schools in Dexter

All Dexter schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Dexter’s kids attend outperform 62% of Iowa’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictWest Central Valley Comm School DistrictSchools1

Dexter Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades 3–5 · 186 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within IA. Ratings are from neighbors.