Fairfax, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfax, Iowa had a total population of 2,900, the 125th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $114,375, which is 52% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- 35.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Fairfax Quick Facts
How Fairfax 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 | 2,865 | 2,900 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $120,552 | $114,375 | -5.1% |
| Median home value | $278,800 | $274,500 | -1.5% |
How Fairfax 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+)
Fairfax Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Linn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | 10.8% | $187,100 |
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | 8.2% | $241,700 |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | 13.7% | $216,900 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | 8.2% | $245,200 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | 8.9% | $413,400 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | 5.1% | $212,400 |
| Ely | 2,186 | $105,882 | 2.4% | $311,900 |
| Lisbon | 1,714 | $93,906 | 4.4% | $219,700 |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | 5.5% | $282,400 |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | 3.9% | $179,700 |
Cities Similar to Fairfax
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solon | 3,152 | $113,295 | $309,400 | 42.4% | 3.2% |
| Hudson | 2,699 | $120,481 | $242,700 | 41.3% | 4.0% |
| Madrid | 2,808 | $89,844 | $185,600 | 22.8% | 6.3% |
| Saylorville | 3,366 | $117,821 | $314,300 | 29.3% | 3.7% |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | $413,400 | 58.7% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Fairfax is a small community located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 2,900. It ranks as the 125th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfax is 38.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairfax is $114,375. This is 52% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 42% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $274,500. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Fairfax is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairfax has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.3%.
Education
35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fairfax in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 12% higher 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 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, Iowa?
Fairfax, Iowa has a population of 2,900 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfax, IA?
The median household income in Fairfax is $114,375, which is 42% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfax, IA?
The poverty rate in Fairfax is 6.2%. This means approximately 181 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfax, Iowa?
Fairfax's population is 86.8% White, 2.6% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfax, IA?
The median home value in Fairfax is $274,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Fairfax, Iowa?
35.1% of adults (25+) in Fairfax hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.