Fairfield, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfield, Iowa had a total population of 9,456, the 45th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,311, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 52.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Fairfield Quick Facts
How Fairfield 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 | 9,438 | 9,456 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $48,302 | $51,311 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $152,900 | $156,000 | +2.0% |
How Fairfield 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairfield Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packwood | 539 | $51,500 | 0.7% | $80,000 |
| Batavia | 536 | $56,250 | 9.7% | $111,600 |
| Lockridge | 452 | $113,750 | 1.8% | N/A |
| Libertyville | 324 | $76,131 | 3.1% | $162,500 |
| Maharishi Vedic City | 282 | $66,875 | 10.0% | $325,000 |
| Pleasant Plain | 92 | $86,458 | 6.5% | $77,800 |
Cities Similar to Fairfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | $104,300 | 17.4% | 18.3% |
| Fort Madison | 10,133 | $50,705 | $94,200 | 18.5% | 15.0% |
| Grinnell | 9,505 | $65,320 | $209,500 | 37.5% | 11.1% |
| Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | $160,900 | 23.2% | 15.7% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Fairfield is a small city located in Iowa, within Jefferson County. The total population is 9,456. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfield is 40.0 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairfield is $51,311. This is 32% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 87% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.8%. This is 229% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $156,000. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairfield is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 11.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (11.7% vs 2.5%).
Education
52.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fairfield in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 68% 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 97.2%. Notably, 22.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, Iowa?
Fairfield, Iowa has a population of 9,456 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfield, IA?
The median household income in Fairfield is $51,311, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfield, IA?
The poverty rate in Fairfield is 20.7%. This means approximately 1,746 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfield, Iowa?
Fairfield's population is 76.0% White, 3.9% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfield, IA?
The median home value in Fairfield is $156,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Fairfield, Iowa?
52.9% of adults (25+) in Fairfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.