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. History Dexter was founded in 1868. The city is famous for being the site of a July 23, 1933, shootout between members of the Barrow gang and police from as far away as Des Moines. On September 18, 1948, Dexter was the site of a national plowing match at which President Harry Truman delivered a speech attacking the 80th Congress for its record in regard to the American farmer. This speech is considered one of the most important of his 1948 Whistle Stop campaign that turned the tide of the election and returned him to the White House." Geography Dexter is located at (41.515617, -94.227115). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The community is immediately north of Interstate 80. Demographics 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 611 people, 257 households, and 178 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 284 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.5% White, 1.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population. There were 257 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.7% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 689 people, 259 households, and 190 families residing in the city. The population density was