1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Fremont County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $71,621. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Fremont County
- Jobs and commutes in Fremont County
- Income in Fremont County compared with Iowa
- Housing costs in Fremont County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Fremont County towns compared
- Budget math at the Fremont County median
- Who lives in Fremont County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Fremont County
- Licensing and complaints for Fremont County
- Checklist for Fremont County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Fremont County
With an estimated 6,514 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Fremont County ranks 94th of 99 in Iowa for population. Land area is 511 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 13 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Fremont County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (8 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Shenandoah, with about 4,892 residents, or 75% of the county. With so few households sampled, Fremont County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Jobs and commutes in Fremont County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 11% locally and 4% for Iowa. Averaged over the five survey years, 0.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 2.4% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Fremont County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.0% | -2.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.3% | +7.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.9% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.8 pts |
| Public administration | 6.6% | +3.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Fremont County compared with Iowa
At $71,621, the typical Fremont County household income is 9% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 46th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Fremont County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.8% | +1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.1% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | -0.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Fremont County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. Census counts 7.7% of Fremont County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Fremont County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Fremont County
Renters in Fremont County pay a median of $746 a month, 23% below the Iowa figure of $972. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 25% of renter households here. With a median value of $154,400, a typical Fremont County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 78% of homes. Median construction year: 1958.
| Cost | Fremont County | Iowa figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $746/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $154,400 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 25% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.8% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Fremont County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Mills County at 20 miles out to Montgomery County at 30. Mills County leads the group on income ($90,753), Page County trails ($57,953), and Fremont County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Missouri and Nebraska. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Fremont County resident follows Iowa rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont County | - | $71,621 | $746/mo | 78% |
| Mills County, IA | 20 mi | $90,753 | $959/mo | 84% |
| Atchison County, MO | 23 mi | $58,750 | $631/mo | 77% |
| Page County, IA | 24 mi | $57,953 | $705/mo | 71% |
| Nemaha County, NE | 28 mi | $60,924 | $772/mo | 66% |
| Otoe County, NE | 29 mi | $82,188 | $914/mo | 82% |
| Montgomery County, IA | 30 mi | $63,666 | $814/mo | 69% |
Fremont County towns compared
11 Census places fall mainly inside Fremont County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 8,018 residents, leaving about 0% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $59,783 in Shenandoah to $80,714 in Sidney. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah | city | 4,892 | $59,783 | $774 | 12 mi |
| Sidney | city | 955 | $80,714 | $750 | 2 mi |
| Hamburg | city | 927 | $60,000 | $725 | 10 mi |
| Farragut | city | 413 | $54,688 | $670 | 6 mi |
| Randolph | city | 235 | $46,500 | $1,094 | 9 mi |
| Thurman | city | 217 | $91,188 | $1,725 | 9 mi |
| Riverton | city | 188 | $48,359 | $825 | 4 mi |
| Percival | CDP | 105 | $57,727 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Imogene | city | 49 | $68,125 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Anderson | CDP | 37 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
| Bartlett | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Budget math at the Fremont County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Fremont County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,968 before taxes
- Less median rent of $746, which is 12% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,343 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,940: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $746, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Fremont County, in numbers
21% of Fremont County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 3.5%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Indicator | Fremont County | All of Iowa | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.8% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.9% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.5% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.1% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.8% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Fremont County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Fremont County
Where the Fremont County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Older households. A 46.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Licensing and complaints for Fremont County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Fremont County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
Checklist for Fremont County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fremont County a high-income county?
Its $71,621 median ranks 46th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Fremont County rent compare with Iowa?
$746 locally versus $972 for the state, 23% below.
What are the biggest places in Fremont County?
By population: Shenandoah, Sidney, Hamburg, Farragut, Randolph. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Will a Fremont County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Fremont County check a lender's license?
With the Iowa Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.