Fayette County, Iowa

Fayette County, Iowa
County
The Fayette County Courthouse in West Union
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°51′54″N 91°50′58″W / 42.865°N 91.849444444444°W / 42.865; -91.849444444444
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedDecember 21, 1837 (created)
August 26, 1850 (organized)
Named afterMarquis de Lafayette
SeatWest Union
Largest cityOelwein
Area
 • Total
731 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Land731 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2)  0.07%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
19,509
 • Estimate 
(2024)
19,152
 • Density26.7/sq mi (10.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitefayettecounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 33[1]

Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,509.[2] The county seat is West Union.[3]

History

Fayette County was founded on December 21, 1837, as a part of Wisconsin Territory. It was named after Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette,[4] a French general and politician, who came to America in 1777 to fight in the Revolutionary War, and who was named Major General of the Continental Army. The county was formed as part of a large reorganization of Dubuque County, which at that time comprised most of the northern half of Iowa, Minnesota, and parts of the Dakotas. Fayette County was granted the Minnesota and Dakotas territory on that date. It became part of Iowa Territory when it was formed on July 4, 1838.[5] Fayette County's size was drastically reduced into land that was part of the modern state of Iowa in 1843, then further split in 1847 after Iowa had achieved statehood. The county was organized in 1850.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 731 square miles (1,890 km2), of which 731 square miles (1,890 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.07%) is water.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850825—
186012,0731,363.4%
187016,97340.6%
188022,25831.1%
189023,1414.0%
190029,84529.0%
191027,919−6.5%
192029,2514.8%
193029,145−0.4%
194029,1510.0%
195028,294−2.9%
196028,5811.0%
197026,898−5.9%
198025,488−5.2%
199021,843−14.3%
200022,0080.8%
201020,880−5.1%
202019,509−6.6%
2024 (est.)19,152[8] −1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[13]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 19,509, with a population density of 26.7/sq mi (10.3/km2). The median age was 44.0 years; 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.8 males. 96.09% of the population reported being of one race.[14]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.7% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.7% of the population.[15]

Fayette County Racial Composition[16]
Race Number Percent
White (NH) 18,053 92.54%
Black or African American (NH) 200 1.03%
Native American (NH) 40 0.21%
Asian (NH) 78 0.4%
Pacific Islander (NH) 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 617 3.2%
Hispanic or Latino 520 2.7%

30.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 69.9% lived in rural areas.[17]

There were 8,174 households in the county, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.0% were married-couple households, 20.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

Of the 9,298 housing units, 8,174 were occupied and 12.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.1% were owner-occupied and 23.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.5%.[14]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,880 in the county, with a population density of 28.6/sq mi (11.0/km2). There were 9,558 housing units, of which 8,634 were occupied.[18]

2000 census

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 22,008 people, 8,778 households, and 5,951 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 9,505 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.71% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,778 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,453, and the median income for a family was $39,960. Males had a median income of $27,493 versus $20,099 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,271. About 8.20% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Fayette County is divided into twenty townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Fayette County.[2]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Oelwein City 5,920
2 † West Union City 2,490
3 Sumner (mostly in Bremer County) City 2,030
4 Fayette City 1,256
5 Fairbank (partially in Buchanan County) City 1,111
6 Elgin City 685
7 Clermont City 586
8 Maynard City 476
9 Hawkeye City 438
10 Arlington City 419
11 Waucoma City 229
12 Wadena City 209
13 Westgate City 192
14 St. Lucas City 167
15 Stanley (mostly in Buchanan County) City 81
16 Randalia City 50

Politics

United States presidential election results for Fayette County, Iowa[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 3,522 54.69% 2,822 43.82% 96 1.49%
1900 3,984 58.39% 2,708 39.69% 131 1.92%
1904 3,978 62.39% 2,070 32.47% 328 5.14%
1908 3,369 56.83% 2,281 38.48% 278 4.69%
1912 1,192 19.14% 2,379 38.20% 2,656 42.65%
1916 3,872 60.81% 2,311 36.30% 184 2.89%
1920 8,265 79.14% 1,941 18.58% 238 2.28%
1924 5,974 50.21% 1,272 10.69% 4,652 39.10%
1928 8,338 66.66% 4,061 32.46% 110 0.88%
1932 5,166 39.67% 7,690 59.05% 166 1.27%
1936 5,891 43.97% 7,210 53.82% 296 2.21%
1940 8,237 57.43% 6,066 42.30% 39 0.27%
1944 6,693 56.50% 5,105 43.09% 48 0.41%
1948 6,296 53.54% 5,303 45.09% 161 1.37%
1952 9,152 67.35% 4,403 32.40% 34 0.25%
1956 7,914 61.51% 4,935 38.36% 17 0.13%
1960 8,330 61.20% 5,256 38.62% 25 0.18%
1964 5,567 44.60% 6,900 55.28% 15 0.12%
1968 6,935 59.34% 4,098 35.06% 654 5.60%
1972 7,263 60.83% 4,413 36.96% 264 2.21%
1976 6,618 54.69% 5,220 43.13% 264 2.18%
1980 6,374 55.32% 4,377 37.98% 772 6.70%
1984 6,505 57.56% 4,677 41.38% 120 1.06%
1988 4,921 47.84% 5,304 51.56% 62 0.60%
1992 3,879 35.71% 4,412 40.62% 2,570 23.66%
1996 3,848 39.98% 4,832 50.21% 944 9.81%
2000 4,747 49.34% 4,640 48.23% 234 2.43%
2004 5,128 49.35% 5,185 49.89% 79 0.76%
2008 4,205 40.98% 5,908 57.57% 149 1.45%
2012 4,492 43.33% 5,732 55.30% 142 1.37%
2016 5,620 56.34% 3,689 36.98% 666 6.68%
2020 6,145 60.33% 3,835 37.65% 206 2.02%
2024 6,325 64.23% 3,334 33.85% 189 1.92%

Education

School districts include:[22]

Former school districts include:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 124.
  5. ^ "WI: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  6. ^ "State and County Maps of Iowa". March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fayette County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  14. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fayette County, Iowa".
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  18. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  21. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,240 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 250 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 166 votes.
  22. ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 Census - School Distrit Reference Map: Fayette County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2025. - Text list
  23. ^ a b c "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  24. ^ a b Geography Division (November 30, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Fayette County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2025. - Text list
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