County · Iowa
Fayette County, Iowa
Fayette County, Iowa. Fayette County had 19,047 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 16 places (16 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 19065.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,047
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,509 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,288
Median household income
$60,165
±$4,060 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$136,800
±$11,976 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$881
±$71 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Fayette County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,509 residents in Fayette County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,047 for July 1, 2025, down 2.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,288 over 731 square miles of land.
| Measure | Fayette County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,288 | 3,210,507 | −515 |
| Households | 8,342±182 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.22±0.05 | 2.36 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 9,320±35 | 1,437,699 | −277 |
Fayette County's population since 2000
From 22,008 in 2000 to 19,047 in 2025: down 13.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Fayette County?
Fayette County holds 16 places: 16 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Oelwein with 5,757 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Oelwein | 5,920 | $46,653 |
|---|---|---|
| West Union | 2,490 | $53,617 |
| Fayette | 1,256 | $47,917 |
| Elgin | 685 | $54,688 |
| Clermont | 586 | $85,625 |
| Maynard | 476 | $55,583 |
| Hawkeye | 438 | $62,813 |
| Arlington | 419 | $38,958 |
| Fairbank | 1,111 | $89,712 |
| WaucomaGEOID 1982650 | 229 | $78,750 |
| Wadena | 209 | $38,750 |
| WestgateGEOID 1984180 | 192 | $53,750 |
| St. LucasGEOID 1970050 | 167 | $104,375 |
| RandaliaGEOID 1965550 | 50 | not published |
| Sumner | 2,030 | $58,854 |
| StanleyGEOID 1974955 | 81 | $70,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fayette County?
The median resident of Fayette County is 43.9 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 22.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.7%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fayette County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9±0.4 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.4%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.9%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 7.3% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.0%±0.9 pts | 82.3% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | −1.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | +1.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.8%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.8%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6%±1.4 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.1%±1.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.7%±2.0 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Fayette County earn?
Half of Fayette County's 8,342 households earn less than $60,165 a year (±$4,060), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $62,923 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fayette County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,165±$4,060 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,301±$4,741 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,469±$1,914 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.0%±2.0 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.6%±4.6 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.3%±1.6 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±2.1 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Fayette County?
Owners occupy 76.5% of Fayette County's occupied homes and renters 23.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $136,800 by its owner (±$11,976). The median renter pays $881 a month including utilities, and 36.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fayette County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $136,800±$11,976 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $881±$71 | $972 | +$128 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.1%±8.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,239±$51 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.5%±2.3 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,320±35 | 1,437,699 | −277 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9%±3.5 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.5%±2.0 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.6%±1.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 41.0%±2.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Fayette County building?
Builders took permits for 30 new housing units across Fayette County in 2025 (19 single-family), 1.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fayette County get to work?
79.4% of Fayette County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Fayette County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.7%±1.9 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.4%±2.0 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±1.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 4.5%±1.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±1.5 | 19.8 min | +3.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Fayette County's census tracts?
Fayette County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,581 (Tract 804) to $86,333 (Tract 803).
| Tract 80119065080100 | 2,633±257 | $54,202 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 80219065080200 | 3,397±237 | $57,402 |
| Tract 80319065080300 | 2,303±185 | $86,333 |
| Tract 80419065080400 | 2,845±249 | $46,581 |
| Tract 80519065080500 | 3,205±267 | $47,455 |
| Tract 80619065080600 | 2,281±136 | $71,667 |
| Tract 80719065080700 | 2,624±251 | $81,167 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Fayette County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 36th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 77th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th of 99 |
| Median household income | 93rd of 99 |
| Median home value | 75th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 32nd of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69th of 99 |
| Median age | 21st of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fayette County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.