Fayette, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fayette, Iowa had a total population of 1,309, the 241st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $47,917, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Fayette Quick Facts
How Fayette 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 | 1,242 | 1,309 | +5.4% |
| Median household income | $39,297 | $47,917 | +21.9% |
| Median home value | $123,300 | $119,000 | -3.5% |
How Fayette 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+)
Fayette Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Fayette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens | 1,206 | $48,988 | $60,300 | 13.9% | 15.0% |
| Greene | 1,339 | $56,335 | $120,700 | 29.7% | 17.3% |
| New Sharon | 1,180 | $48,750 | $133,600 | 21.0% | 14.4% |
| Sanborn | 1,323 | $59,417 | $168,500 | 23.8% | 13.5% |
| Strawberry Point | 1,267 | $57,778 | $114,700 | 20.3% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Fayette is a small community located in Iowa, within Fayette County. The total population is 1,309. It ranks as the 241st most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fayette is 23.4 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 11.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fayette is $47,917. This is 36% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 132% 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 5.4%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $119,000. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Fayette is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.6% vs 3.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fayette, 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 Fayette, Iowa?
Fayette, Iowa has a population of 1,309 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fayette, IA?
The median household income in Fayette is $47,917, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fayette, IA?
The poverty rate in Fayette is 25.7%. This means approximately 238 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fayette, Iowa?
Fayette's population is 81.5% White, 6.6% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fayette, IA?
The median home value in Fayette is $119,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Fayette, Iowa?
32.6% of adults (25+) in Fayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.