Edwin B. Guthrie who was the first justice of the peace at Fort Madison, fought as a volunteer in the Mexican War and, on June 20, 1847, was wounded defending material and more than $350,000 in gold and silver coin.

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.47 square miles (6.40 km2), all of it land.

There were 848 housing units at an average density of 356.5 per square mile (137.7/km2).

Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 4.1% of the population.

As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 1,569 people, 677 households, and 387 families residing in the city.

There were 796 housing units at an average density of 322.3 per square mile (124.4/km2).

38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 1,668 people, 726 households, and 453 families residing in the city.

There were 830 housing units at an average density of 336.4 per square mile (129.9/km2).

34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.