Fayette, IA

Iowa

Fayette is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,242. Residents earn $39,297 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,242 Population 828/sq mi density
$39,297 Median Income $23,346 per capita
$123,300 Home Value $165,357 Zillow
$963 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$39,297 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$123,300 home value, $963/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,297
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $123,300
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.5%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $963
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.8%
27% higher than US avg

How Fayette Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,242
Median Age28.3 yrs
Density828/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

C+
Median Income$39,297
Per Capita$23,346
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty15.8%
County GDP$1,075M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$123,300
Rent$963
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$165,357

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.5 in/yr
Elevation1,003 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.5%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.70

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute15 min
EV Stations1
Libraries11

Is Fayette a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fayette receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fayette offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fayette is $39,297, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fayette is $123,300, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $963 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fayette has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches, including 41.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fayette has a population of 1,242 with a density of 828 people per square mile. The median age is 28.3 years, 27% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.9%), with 3% Hispanic, 8.5% Black.

Population

1,242
Total Population
828
People / sq mi
28.3yrs
Median Age
27% below US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.4%
Female 43.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Fayette vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.4%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.6%
21% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fayette vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fayette is $39,297, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Fayette vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,297
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,346
Avg Weekly Wage$939
IRS Avg AGI$65,872

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.8%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)680
County GDP$1,075M

Business (County)

Restaurants41
Healthcare50
Retail94
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,224
8% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.8 min
Work from Home7.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Fayette is $123,300, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $963 (17% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $165,357.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$123,300
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$165,357

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$963
17% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$682
1 Bedroom$723
2 Bedrooms$919
3 Bedrooms$1,210
4 Bedrooms$1,439

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied47.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,224
8% below US avg
Effective Rate2.61%
In Fayette, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 27.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fayette vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma10.2%
COPD7.0%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.8%
Physical Inactivity27.7%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death8,298/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access62.2%
Healthcare Facilities50

Crime Rates: Fayette vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Fayette has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.5 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall41.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,003 ft (306 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density828/sq mi
Coordinates42.8418°N, 91.8038°W
County FIPS19065
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.4%
D 34%

Winner: Republican by 30.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.5%
15% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.70
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density828/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities50
Restaurants41
Retail Stores94

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.8 min
Work from Home7.8%

Nearby Cities

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