Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,509.[1] The county seat is West Union.[2]

Fayette County
Fayette County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Fayette County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°51′54″N 91°50′58″W / 42.865°N 91.849444444444°W / 42.865; -91.849444444444
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1837
Named forMarquis de Lafayette
SeatWest Union
Largest cityOelwein
Area
 • Total731 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Land731 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.07%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total19,509
 • Density27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitefayettecounty.iowa.gov

History edit

Fayette County was founded on December 21, 1837, as a part of Wisconsin Territory. It was named after Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette,[3] a French general and politician, who came to America in 1777 to fight in the Revolutionary War, and who was named Major General of the Continental Army. The county was formed as part of a large reorganization of Dubuque County, which at that time comprised most of the northern half of Iowa, Minnesota, and parts of the Dakotas. Fayette County was granted the Minnesota and Dakotas territory on that date. It became part of Iowa Territory when it was formed on July 4, 1838.[4] Fayette County's size was drastically reduced into land that was part of the modern state of Iowa in 1843, then further split in 1847 after Iowa had achieved statehood. The county was organized in 1850.[5]

Geography edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 731 square miles (1,890 km2), of which 731 square miles (1,890 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.07%) is water.[6]

Major highways edit

Adjacent counties edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850825
186012,0731,363.4%
187016,97340.6%
188022,25831.1%
189023,1414.0%
190029,84529.0%
191027,919−6.5%
192029,2514.8%
193029,145−0.4%
194029,1510.0%
195028,294−2.9%
196028,5811.0%
197026,898−5.9%
198025,488−5.2%
199021,843−14.3%
200022,0080.8%
201020,880−5.1%
202019,509−6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2018[11]
 
Population of Fayette County from US census data

2020 census edit

The 2020 census recorded a population of 19,509 in the county, with a population density of 26.7345/sq mi (10.32223/km2). 96.09% of the population reported being of one race. There were 9,298 housing units of which 8,174 were occupied.[1]

Fayette County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 18,053 92.54%
Black or African American (NH) 200 1.03%
Native American (NH) 40 0.21%
Asian (NH) 78 0.4%
Pacific Islander (NH) 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 617 3.2%
Hispanic or Latino 520 2.7%

2010 census edit

The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,880 in the county, with a population density of 28.568/sq mi (11.030/km2). There were 9,558 housing units, of which 8,634 were occupied.[13]

2000 census edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Fayette County

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 22,008 people, 8,778 households, and 5,951 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 9,505 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.71% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,778 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,453, and the median income for a family was $39,960. Males had a median income of $27,493 versus $20,099 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,271. About 8.20% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities edit

Cities edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Townships edit

Fayette County is divided into twenty townships:

Population ranking edit

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Fayette County.[1]

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Oelwein City 5,920
2 West Union City 2,490
3 Sumner (mostly in Bremer County) City 2,030
4 Fayette City 1,256
5 Fairbank (partially in Buchanan County) City 1,111
6 Elgin City 685
7 Clermont City 586
8 Maynard City 476
9 Hawkeye City 438
10 Arlington City 419
12 Waucoma City 229
11 Wadena City 209
13 Westgate City 192
14 St. Lucas City 167
15 Stanley (mostly in Buchanan County) City 81
16 Randalia City 50

Politics edit

United States presidential election results for Fayette County, Iowa[15][16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,145 60.33% 3,835 37.65% 206 2.02%
2016 5,620 56.34% 3,689 36.98% 666 6.68%
2012 4,492 43.33% 5,732 55.30% 142 1.37%
2008 4,205 40.98% 5,908 57.57% 149 1.45%
2004 5,128 49.35% 5,185 49.89% 79 0.76%
2000 4,747 49.34% 4,640 48.23% 234 2.43%
1996 3,848 39.98% 4,832 50.21% 944 9.81%
1992 3,879 35.71% 4,412 40.62% 2,570 23.66%
1988 4,921 47.84% 5,304 51.56% 62 0.60%
1984 6,505 57.56% 4,677 41.38% 120 1.06%
1980 6,374 55.32% 4,377 37.98% 772 6.70%
1976 6,618 54.69% 5,220 43.13% 264 2.18%
1972 7,263 60.83% 4,413 36.96% 264 2.21%
1968 6,935 59.34% 4,098 35.06% 654 5.60%
1964 5,567 44.60% 6,900 55.28% 15 0.12%
1960 8,330 61.20% 5,256 38.62% 25 0.18%
1956 7,914 61.51% 4,935 38.36% 17 0.13%
1952 9,152 67.35% 4,403 32.40% 34 0.25%
1948 6,296 53.54% 5,303 45.09% 161 1.37%
1944 6,693 56.50% 5,105 43.09% 48 0.41%
1940 8,237 57.43% 6,066 42.30% 39 0.27%
1936 5,891 43.97% 7,210 53.82% 296 2.21%
1932 5,166 39.67% 7,690 59.05% 166 1.27%
1928 8,338 66.66% 4,061 32.46% 110 0.88%
1924 5,974 50.21% 1,272 10.69% 4,652 39.10%
1920 8,265 79.14% 1,941 18.58% 238 2.28%
1916 3,872 60.81% 2,311 36.30% 184 2.89%
1912 1,192 19.14% 2,379 38.20% 2,656 42.65%
1908 3,369 56.83% 2,281 38.48% 278 4.69%
1904 3,978 62.39% 2,070 32.47% 328 5.14%
1900 3,984 58.39% 2,708 39.69% 131 1.92%
1896 3,522 54.69% 2,822 43.82% 96 1.49%

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 124.
  4. ^ "WI: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  5. ^ "State and County Maps of Iowa". March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Fayette County, Iowa".
  13. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  16. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,240 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 250 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 166 votes.

External links edit

42°51′54″N 91°50′58″W / 42.86500°N 91.84944°W / 42.86500; -91.84944