As of the census of 2010, there were 1,379 people, 544 households, and 380 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 598 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population. There were 544 households of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couplesliving together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.1% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age in the city was 42 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,303 people, 529 households, and 358 families living in the city. The population density was 1,034.5 people per square mile. There were 571 housing units at an average density of 453.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.47% White, 0.31% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population. There were 529 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95. 25.5% were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $40,857, and the median income for a family was $45,774. Males had a median income of $34,063 versus $22,368 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,203. About 4.4% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
The Dysart Reporter is the weekly newspaper of Dysart, Iowa. It is published on Fridays and has a circulation of roughly 900. The newspaper has been the definitive source of Dysart area news for 134 years and counting. The paper primarily serves the community of Dysart, but also provides news and sports coverage of neighboring communities in Tama and Benton counties. The small towns of La Porte City and Clutier are included in this coverage area, along with the combined school district of Union.
