1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County (15,705 residents) has a $61,620 median household income and $883 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Jefferson County offer.
On this page
- First look: Jefferson County, IA
- Where Jefferson County works
- How Jefferson County ranks in Iowa
- Income in Jefferson County compared with Iowa
- Housing costs in Jefferson County
- Jefferson County, Van Buren County and other neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jefferson County
- Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
- Local borrowing considerations for Jefferson County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
- Verifying a lender from Jefferson County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Jefferson County, IA
Jefferson County is home to about 15,705 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 48th most populous of 99 county-level areas in Iowa. Density: about 36.1 residents per square mile across 436 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jefferson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Jefferson County, Fairfield leads by population with about 9,456; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
Where Jefferson County works
Top Jefferson County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 26%; second, retail trade, 14%. Jefferson County over-indexes on finance, insurance and real estate: 11% versus 8% in Iowa. Averaged over the five survey years, 8.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 18% work from home. No car: 7.5% of Jefferson County households.
| Industry | Share of Jefferson County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.0% | -2.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 11.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | +1.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Jefferson County ranks in Iowa
The 4 Jefferson County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Iowa, and what each means for a borrower:
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Jefferson County sits near the top of Iowa at 8.0%, the highest of 99. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
- Few Iowa counties match Jefferson County on the share of workers who work from home: 18.2% here, 11.3% for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 99. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 43% in Jefferson County. Only 3 of 99 Iowa counties are higher. Student loan payments count in a debt-to-income ratio, so list them.
- On homeownership, Jefferson County sits near the bottom of Iowa at 68%, 5th lowest of 99. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
Income in Jefferson County compared with Iowa
$61,620 is the median household income for Jefferson County, set against $75,059 for Iowa. Only 90 Iowa counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Jefferson County | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +9.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.3% | -1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.1% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -3.0 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. Jefferson County counts about 2,385 residents below the poverty line, 15.2% of the population. None of these numbers decides a Jefferson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Jefferson County
Jefferson County rent at the median: $883 a month, utilities in ($972 in Iowa). About 5 in 10 Jefferson County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $163,400; median income $61,620; ratio 2.7. Owners occupy 68% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1966. Nationally, Jefferson County's $883 rent is about level with the middle county.
| Cost | Jefferson County | Iowa figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 44% | +6.7 pts |
| Owners | 68% | 72% | -4.0 pts |
| Median home value | $163,400 | $208,000 | 21% lower |
| Vacant units | 10% | 8% | +1.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $883/mo | $972/mo | 9% lower |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | +0.1 pts |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Jefferson County, Van Buren County and other neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Van Buren County at 17 miles out to Davis County at 29. Richest neighbor: Davis County, $77,194. Poorest: Van Buren County, $61,161. Jefferson County: $61,620.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $61,620 | $883/mo | 68% |
| Van Buren County, IA | 17 mi | $61,161 | $622/mo | 82% |
| Henry County, IA | 22 mi | $67,436 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Wapello County, IA | 23 mi | $64,766 | $920/mo | 68% |
| Keokuk County, IA | 25 mi | $62,329 | $828/mo | 81% |
| Washington County, IA | 26 mi | $75,647 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Davis County, IA | 29 mi | $77,194 | $868/mo | 83% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Jefferson County
11,681 of Jefferson County's 15,705 residents live in its 7 Census places (74%); the 7 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $4,939, Batavia over Fairfield. No Jefferson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield | city | 9,456 | $51,311 | $870 | 0 mi |
| Packwood | city | 539 | $51,500 | $722 | 11 mi |
| Batavia | city | 536 | $56,250 | $1,021 | 10 mi |
| Lockridge | city | 452 | $113,750 | $1,118 | 11 mi |
| Libertyville | city | 324 | $76,131 | $983 | 5 mi |
| Maharishi Vedic City | city | 282 | $66,875 | $1,096 | 4 mi |
| Pleasant Plain | city | 92 | $86,458 | n/a | 11 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
Jefferson County's $61,620 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- $61,620 a year is $5,135 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $883, which is 17% of it
- $1,325: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Homeowners in Jefferson County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Jefferson County
What the Jefferson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Jefferson County rent burden. 51% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Age, degrees and coverage in Jefferson County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 43% of Jefferson County adults. Uninsured, Jefferson County: 6.7%; Iowa: 5.0%.
| Residents | Jefferson County | Difference from Iowa | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 43.2% | +11.8 pts | +21.1 pts |
| Work from home | 18.2% | +6.8 pts | +9.5 pts |
| Median age | 43.7 | +5.1 yrs | +2.2 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.0% | +4.4 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | +4.1 pts | +2.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | +2.1 pts | +2.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.9% | -1.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | +1.7 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 55.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Jefferson County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jefferson County-area credit union.
- 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 Jefferson County
Jefferson County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Related local guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Jefferson County rank on income in Iowa?
91st of 99, with a median of $61,620. The state median is $75,059.
How does Jefferson County rent compare with Iowa?
$883 locally versus $972 for the state, 9% below.
I live near Fairfield. Which guide is mine?
This one. Fairfield and the rest of Jefferson County have no separate city guide.
Can Jefferson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Iowa county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Jefferson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Iowa it is the Iowa Division of Banking.