Fayette County, Iowa Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Fayette County is located in Iowa with a total population of 19,393. It is the 36th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fayette County is 43.7 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fayette County is $58,764. This is 20% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $130,800. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Fayette County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Fayette County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 41% lower 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 93.4%.