Fayette County, Iowa Demographics 2026
Fayette County, Iowa has a population of 19,288, the 36th most populous county in Iowa. The median household income is $60,165 and the median home value is $136,800. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Fayette County Quick Facts
How Fayette County 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 | 19,393 | 19,288 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $58,764 | $60,165 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $130,800 | $136,800 | +4.6% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oelwein | 5,834 | $46,653 | 18.5% | $96,300 |
| West Union | 2,489 | $53,617 | 11.6% | $121,000 |
| Fayette | 1,309 | $47,917 | 25.7% | $119,000 |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | 3.7% | $98,800 |
| Clermont | 627 | $85,625 | 4.0% | $117,200 |
| Hawkeye | 482 | $62,813 | 3.9% | $84,600 |
| Maynard | 471 | $55,583 | 8.9% | $132,100 |
| Arlington | 427 | $38,958 | 15.0% | $112,000 |
| Waucoma | 291 | $78,750 | 3.4% | $122,700 |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | 35.1% | $78,300 |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | 27.8% | $94,200 |
| St. Lucas | 154 | $104,375 | 5.8% | $134,400 |
| Randalia | 60 | N/A | 21.7% | $64,000 |
Explore Iowa Rankings
Population Overview
Fayette County is located in Iowa with a total population of 19,288. It is the 36th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 13 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fayette County is 43.9 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fayette County is $60,165. This is 20% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $136,800. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Fayette County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fayette County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Fayette County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Iowa and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fayette County, Iowa?
Fayette County has a population of 19,288, making it the 36th most populous county in Iowa.
What is the median income in Fayette County?
The median household income in Fayette County is $60,165 with a poverty rate of 12.0%.
How many cities are in Fayette County, Iowa?
Fayette County contains 13 Census-designated places.