Fayette
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Fayette County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 15% of American counties (6.5%), and the average temperature is in the bottom 15% of American counties (47°F). Within Iowa it ranks 3rd of 99 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Fayette County, Iowa. 19,519 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -11).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $56,043 a year, lower than 64% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,847. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 60% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,130 a year.

Home

The median home costs $158K, cheaper than 81% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $778 a month. Property tax is 1.34% of home value, roughly $1,651 a year on that median home, higher than 79% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 81% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 67% of American counties. There are 16 active physicians in the county, about 8.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 84% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 23 points. 67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 58 and lows near 36, colder than 85% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 56 out of 100, riskier than 56% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 183 Mbps down, slower than 57% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.