How many people live in Fayette County, IA?
Updated Apr. 6, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024, there were about 19,200 people living in Fayette County, IA. That makes Fayette County the 36th-most populous county in Iowa. It is home to 0.59% of people living in the state.
19.2K
population of Fayette County, IA (2024)
0.59%
County share of the Iowa population (2024)
About 19,200 people lived in Fayette County, IA in 2024.
Population estimates, 2000–2024
What are Fayette County, IA’s age demographics?
Understanding the age demographics of Fayette County, IA is important for planning and policy-making. The population of Fayette County is divided into various age groups, each with its own needs and contributions to the community. For instance, the number of residents under 5 years old, those aged 5-14 years, 15-24 years, and so on, can provide insights into the demand for educational services, healthcare, and workforce development. Comparing these demographics to state and national averages can highlight differences or similarities, which may influence local strategies. Over recent years, trends in age demographics can indicate whether certain age groups are growing or shrinking, impacting future planning. The current age demographics of Fayette County have implications for various sectors, including education, healthcare, workforce, and social services. Summarizing these points emphasizes the necessity of understanding age demographics for effective community planning and policy-making.About 4,600 Fayette County, IA residents are aged 65 and older in 2024. That represents 24% of its population. For comparison, the age group represents 18.9% of Iowa’s population and 18% in the US overall.
Another 4,000 Fayette County residents, or 21.1% of the population, were children under 18. For comparison, the age group represents 22.5% of Iowa’s population and 21.6% in the US overall.
A higher share of Fayette County, IA's population is aged 65 or older than the US as a whole.
Population estimates by age group, (2024)
What are Fayette County, IA’s racial and ethnic demographics?
Non-Hispanic white residents make up 92.2% of the Fayette County, IA population, higher than the national share of 57.5%.
In contrast, Fayette County’s Hispanic population accounts for 3.4%, below the 20% nationwide, and the non-Hispanic Black or African American population makes up 1.5% of the county, compared with 12.6% nationally.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
Fayette County, IA has a higher share of a non-Hispanic white population than Iowa as a whole.
Population estimates by race and ethnicity, (2024)
The largest city or town in Fayette County, IA is Oelwein with about 5,800 residents in 2024.
Cities and towns in Fayette County, IA ranked by population
Population (2024), includes only portions within county
| City or town | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oelwein | 5,788 |
| 2. | West Union | 2,435 |
| 3. | Fayette | 1,193 |
| 4. | Elgin | 676 |
| 5. | Clermont | 571 |
| 6. | Maynard | 466 |
| 7. | Hawkeye | 429 |
| 8. | Arlington | 415 |
| 9. | Fairbank (pt.) | 362 |
| 10. | Waucoma | 235 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
