Fairbank, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairbank, Iowa had a total population of 1,275, the 243rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $89,712, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.1% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Fairbank Quick Facts
How Fairbank Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,509 | 1,275 | -15.5% |
| Median household income | $100,172 | $89,712 | -10.4% |
| Median home value | $173,200 | $186,900 | +7.9% |
How Fairbank Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairbank Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Buchanan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 6,164 | $73,806 | 7.6% | $165,300 |
| Winthrop | 1,040 | $69,792 | 3.8% | $158,200 |
| Hazleton | 720 | $51,964 | 14.9% | $85,900 |
| Quasqueton | 703 | $75,000 | 12.7% | $145,800 |
| Lamont | 514 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $98,600 |
| Rowley | 353 | $60,313 | 9.5% | $145,800 |
| Brandon | 307 | $61,250 | 13.0% | $113,800 |
| Aurora | 214 | $62,656 | 11.7% | $128,300 |
| Stanley | 69 | $70,500 | 7.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Fairbank
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Tree | 1,218 | $90,625 | $179,800 | 23.1% | 4.9% |
| Malvern | 1,323 | $84,223 | $174,700 | 25.5% | 6.6% |
| Dike | 1,365 | $91,146 | $247,800 | 42.5% | 5.4% |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | $179,700 | 18.6% | 3.9% |
| Springville | 1,172 | $92,656 | $182,400 | 24.8% | 2.7% |
Population Overview
Fairbank is a small community located in Iowa, within Buchanan County. The total population is 1,275. It ranks as the 243rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairbank is 42.1 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairbank is $89,712. This is 20% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $186,900. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Fairbank is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairbank has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.3%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairbank, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairbank, Iowa?
Fairbank, Iowa has a population of 1,275 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairbank, IA?
The median household income in Fairbank is $89,712, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairbank, IA?
The poverty rate in Fairbank is 4.1%. This means approximately 52 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairbank, Iowa?
Fairbank's population is 90.0% White, 0.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairbank, IA?
The median home value in Fairbank is $186,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Fairbank, Iowa?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Fairbank hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.