1st Advantage MortgageFayette County (19,288 residents) has a $60,165 median household income and $881 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. For a Fayette County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Iowa license.
On this page
- Population and place: Fayette County
- Fayette County's most unusual numbers
- What Fayette County households earn
- Fayette County industries and commutes
- The Fayette County housing market in figures
- Places inside Fayette County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What the numbers mean for Fayette County borrowers
- People and households in Fayette County
- Budget math at the Fayette County median
- Steps before you apply in Fayette County
- Verifying a lender from Fayette County
- More guides for Fayette County
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Fayette County
With an estimated 19,288 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Fayette County ranks 36th of 99 in Iowa for population. Land area is 731 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 26 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 13 Census places inside Fayette County, Oelwein leads by population with about 5,834; 13 of the 13 are incorporated.
Fayette County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Iowa county, Fayette County is most unusual on these measures.
- Fayette County ranks 7th lowest of 99 Iowa counties for median household income: $60,165, against $75,059 statewide. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
- On the share of mobile homes, Fayette County sits near the top of Iowa at 5.6%, 16th highest of 99. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- Fayette County ranks 19th lowest of 99 Iowa counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 28%, against 36% statewide. Few six-figure households means smaller loans are the norm.
What Fayette County households earn
$60,165 is the median household income for Fayette County, set against $75,059 for Iowa. In the state ranking that is 93rd of 99.
| Yearly household income | Fayette County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.4% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.5% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -3.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Fayette County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.0%, 1 point higher than the state's 11.1%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Fayette County industries and commutes
Education and health care (26%), manufacturing (18%) and construction (9%) lead Fayette County's job mix. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 13%; under 15 minutes: 43%. Only 5.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Fayette County share | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.6% | +2.9 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.6% | -3.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.6% | +3.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -0.3 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The Fayette County housing market in figures
$881 a month is the median gross rent in Fayette County, 9% below the state. By the Census definition, 44% of Fayette County renters are cost-burdened. Fayette County homes are worth $136,800 at the median, a 2.3-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 77%. Median construction year: 1954. Against the median U.S. county, Fayette County rent is about level with.
| Housing | Fayette County | Iowa statewide | Fayette County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $881/mo | $972/mo | 9% lower |
| Median home value | $136,800 | $208,000 | 34% lower |
| Owners | 77% | 72% | +4.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 44% | +0.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 20% | +7.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 5.6% | 3.2% | +2.5 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Fayette County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Fayette County
The table lists the 13 largest of 13 Census places in Fayette County, by population. Together all 13 hold about 13,234 people, so roughly 31% of residents live outside any named place. Clermont ($85,625) and Oelwein ($46,653) mark the top and bottom of Fayette County's income range among larger places. Live in one of these Fayette County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oelwein | city | 5,834 | $46,653 | $847 | 14 mi |
| West Union | city | 2,489 | $53,617 | $967 | 7 mi |
| Fayette | city | 1,309 | $47,917 | $1,347 | 2 mi |
| Elgin | city | 735 | $54,688 | $538 | 12 mi |
| Clermont | city | 627 | $85,625 | $434 | 13 mi |
| Hawkeye | city | 482 | $62,813 | $635 | 8 mi |
| Maynard | city | 471 | $55,583 | $629 | 7 mi |
| Arlington | city | 427 | $38,958 | $560 | 12 mi |
| Waucoma | city | 291 | $78,750 | $475 | 16 mi |
| Westgate | city | 178 | $53,750 | $1,036 | 10 mi |
| Wadena | city | 177 | $38,750 | $532 | 9 mi |
| St. Lucas | city | 154 | $104,375 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Randalia | city | 60 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Fayette County's, from 25 to 36 miles away. Income ranges from $66,417 in Black Hawk County to $86,784 in Bremer County; all six of these neighbors top Fayette County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | - | $60,165 | $881/mo | 77% |
| Bremer County, IA | 25 mi | $86,784 | $921/mo | 80% |
| Clayton County, IA | 26 mi | $67,242 | $790/mo | 78% |
| Buchanan County, IA | 27 mi | $78,236 | $848/mo | 82% |
| Chickasaw County, IA | 28 mi | $75,675 | $738/mo | 81% |
| Winneshiek County, IA | 30 mi | $79,066 | $861/mo | 74% |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 36 mi | $66,417 | $989/mo | 66% |
What the numbers mean for Fayette County borrowers
Fayette County-specific points to check:
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Consolidating cards in Fayette County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
People and households in Fayette County
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Fayette County | Compared with Iowa | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | +5.3 yrs | +2.4 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.7% | -10.7 pts | -1.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.9% | +0.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | +0.6 pts | -2.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | +0.3 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 7.3% | -4.0 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | +0.9 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | -0.4 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Commute length | Fayette County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
Budget math at the Fayette County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Fayette County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,014 a month: gross income for a household at the Fayette County median
- Housing at the median rent of $881 uses 18%
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,124 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Steps before you apply in Fayette County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Fayette County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Verifying a lender from Fayette County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Fayette County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. Nationally, Fayette County residents can file with the CFPB. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Fayette County
No city in Fayette County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Fayette County household make?
About $60,165 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 20% below the Iowa median.
Is Fayette County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $881 against $972 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Fayette County?
By population: Oelwein, West Union, Fayette, Elgin, Clermont. The county has 13 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Fayette County or elsewhere in Iowa, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Fayette County residents?
The Iowa Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Iowa; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.