Fairfield city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fairfield city, Iowa has a total population of 9,438, the 45th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $48,302, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 51.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Fairfield city Quick Facts
How Fairfield city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairfield city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Fairfield city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk city | 9,748 | $49,340 | $93,700 | 17.4% | 20.3% |
| Fort Madison city | 10,221 | $49,359 | $95,900 | 19.1% | 14.8% |
| Mount Pleasant city | 9,093 | $59,216 | $145,600 | 23.5% | 17.1% |
| Grinnell city | 9,527 | $64,426 | $191,700 | 41.1% | 10.9% |
| Carroll city | 10,261 | $59,323 | $184,100 | 25.6% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Fairfield city is a small city located in Iowa, within Jefferson County. The total population is 9,438. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfield city is 40.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairfield city is $48,302. This is 34% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 75% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 91% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $152,900. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $195,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairfield city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.3% vs 3.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.7% vs 2.4%).
Education
51.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fairfield city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.6%. Notably, 23.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfield city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairfield city, Iowa?
Fairfield city, Iowa has a population of 9,438 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfield city, IA?
The median household income in Fairfield city is $48,302, which is 38% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfield city, IA?
The poverty rate in Fairfield city is 19.2%. This means approximately 1,629 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfield city, Iowa?
Fairfield city's population is 74.9% White, 9.3% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfield city, IA?
The median home value in Fairfield city is $152,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Fairfield city, Iowa?
51.2% of adults (25+) in Fairfield city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.