1st Advantage MortgageFayette County (125,997 residents) has a $58,236 median household income and $793 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 Pennsylvania license.
On this page
- Fayette County by the numbers
- Where Fayette County works
- Rent, home values and ownership in Fayette County
- What stands out in Fayette County
- Income in Fayette County compared with Pennsylvania
- Fayette County towns compared
- How Fayette County compares with nearby counties
- A Fayette County household budget, worked through
- More Fayette County figures
- What the numbers mean for Fayette County borrowers
- Steps before you apply in Fayette County
- Verifying a lender from Fayette County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Fayette County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Fayette County's population at 125,997; only 26 of Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 791 square miles, that is close to 159 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area. Largest place: Uniontown, about 9,742 residents (8% of Fayette County); 43 Census places in all.
Where Fayette County works
The biggest employer of Fayette County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%). Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Unemployment in Fayette County, ACS five-year: 6.3%; Pennsylvania: 5.3%. 32% of Fayette County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 19% need 45 or more. Only 9.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Fayette County workers | vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.4% | -0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | -1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.7% | +2.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +2.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Fayette County
$793 a month is the median gross rent in Fayette County, 34% below the state. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $143,200, about 2.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 72%. The median home was built in 1959, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Fayette County | Pennsylvania | Compared with Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 10.2% | 3.5% | +6.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | -4.8 pts |
| Median home value | $143,200 | $254,500 | 44% lower |
| Median gross rent | $793/mo | $1,209/mo | 34% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 69% | +3.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | +2.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | +0.2 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
What stands out in Fayette County
The 4 Fayette County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Pennsylvania, and what each means for a borrower:
- Fayette County ranks 2nd highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for the poverty rate: 16.8%, against 11.7% statewide. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Fayette County on median household income: $58,236 here, $77,971 for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 67. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
- Few Pennsylvania counties match Fayette County on the share of workers who work from home: 7.1% here, 15.6% for the state, ranking 9th lowest of 67. Few remote jobs means most pay stubs come from local employers.
- Fayette County ranks 9th highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 6.3%, against 5.3% statewide. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
Income in Fayette County compared with Pennsylvania
At $58,236, the typical Fayette County household income is 11% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 65th among Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Fayette County | +/- vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.5% | +9.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +3.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -7.6 pts |
On the low end, 32% of Fayette County households report under $35,000; at the top, 26% report $100,000-plus. The poverty rate is 16.8%, 5 points higher than the state's 11.7%. Gini index for Fayette County: 0.448. A household earning below the $58,236 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Fayette County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 43 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 46% of Fayette County residents live in one of the 43. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $89,324, Leith-Hatfield over Arnold City. From Uniontown to the smallest crossroads, Fayette County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniontown | city | 9,742 | $35,454 | $774 | 5 mi |
| Connellsville | city | 6,849 | $45,721 | $683 | 7 mi |
| Masontown | borough | 3,201 | $53,676 | $451 | 15 mi |
| Leith-Hatfield | CDP | 2,577 | $91,823 | $975 | 6 mi |
| Brownsville | borough | 2,412 | $31,810 | $670 | 15 mi |
| Oliver | CDP | 2,393 | $55,602 | $762 | 4 mi |
| East Uniontown | CDP | 2,195 | $48,305 | $871 | 3 mi |
| Lynnwood-Pricedale | CDP | 2,128 | $57,599 | $711 | 18 mi |
| South Connellsville | borough | 1,807 | $48,250 | $864 | 6 mi |
| Hopwood | CDP | 1,767 | $44,321 | $995 | 4 mi |
| Hiller | CDP | 1,536 | $78,015 | $1,299 | 16 mi |
| Perryopolis | borough | 1,529 | $61,319 | $772 | 13 mi |
| Republic | CDP | 1,332 | $59,866 | $1,138 | 13 mi |
| Bear Rocks | CDP | 1,258 | $69,758 | n/a | 17 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Fayette County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Fayette County's, from 29 to 33 miles away. Fayette County's $58,236 median trails 6 of the six and beats 0; the range runs $61,446 (Somerset County) to $74,109 (Westmoreland County). Some neighbors are in Maryland and West Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Fayette County resident follows Pennsylvania rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | - | $58,236 | $793/mo | 72% |
| Westmoreland County, PA | 29 mi | $74,109 | $879/mo | 78% |
| Monongalia County, WV | 30 mi | $65,346 | $987/mo | 58% |
| Preston County, WV | 31 mi | $61,880 | $750/mo | 81% |
| Greene County, PA | 31 mi | $68,041 | $789/mo | 77% |
| Garrett County, MD | 32 mi | $67,688 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Somerset County, PA | 33 mi | $61,446 | $753/mo | 80% |
A Fayette County household budget, worked through
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.
- Monthly gross at the median, Fayette County: $4,853
- Less median rent of $793, which is 16% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $954 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,294: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $793, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Fayette County figures
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. Uninsured, Fayette County: 4.6%; Pennsylvania: 5.6%.
| Measure | Fayette County | Gap to Pennsylvania | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | -16.1 pts | -3.1 pts |
| Work from home | 7.1% | -8.5 pts | -1.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | +5.1 pts | +3.6 pts |
| Median age | 45.4 | +4.5 yrs | +3.9 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 9.8% | +1.9 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 9.0% | -1.4 pts | +3.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | -1.0 pts | -3.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.3% | +1.0 pts | +1.8 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 9.8% |
What the numbers mean for Fayette County borrowers
Where the Fayette County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 19% long commutes. A Fayette County repair bill is often urgent; compare the shop's financing with a loan in writing.
- Age 45.4 at the median. Many Fayette County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Steps before you apply in Fayette County
Steps that save money for Fayette County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Verifying a lender from Fayette County
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is the place to verify any lender's Pennsylvania license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Pennsylvania guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fayette County a high-income county?
Its $58,236 median ranks 65th of 67 Pennsylvania counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Fayette County?
$793 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Does this page cover Uniontown?
Yes, along with the other 42 Census places in Fayette County, such as Connellsville, Masontown, Leith-Hatfield.
Does living in Fayette County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Fayette County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Fayette County?
Look it up with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.