Otho is a city located in Webster County, Iowa, United States. It is situated within the central part of the state and is part of the Fort Dodge Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography Otho is located at coordinates 42°25′24″N 94°8′57″W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total land area of 0.46 square miles (1.19 square kilometers). It is positioned south of Fort Dodge, the county seat of Webster County, and is located near the Des Moines River.
History The community of Otho was originally established in the 19th century, with a post office beginning operations in 1904. The city was officially incorporated in 1954. Historically, the local economy and development were influenced by the coal mining industry and the presence of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway.
Demographics As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Otho was 440. This represented a decline from the 2010 census, which recorded a population of 542. The 2010 census data indicated there were 212 households and 150 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,178.3 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 1.1% of the population.
Education Otho is within the Fort Dodge Community School District, which provides public primary and secondary education. Previously, the area was served by the Otho-Burnside-Lanyon (OBL) school district and later the Central Webster Community School District before various consolidations occurred.
Government Otho is governed by a mayor and a five-member city council. The city maintains its own municipal services, including a local fire department and water utility services.