Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Fairfield, IA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

9,456

Median Agei

Race & Ethnicityi

White

76%7,183

Asian

11.7%1,102

Hispanic/Latino

4.7%449

Black

3.9%368

Two or More

3.2%307

Other

0.4%40

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%7

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2.1%146

High School Diploma

15.9%1,115

Some College (<1 yr)

4.3%304

Some College (1+ yr)

11.2%790

Associate's Degree

10.8%756

Bachelor's Degree

30.1%2,113

Master's Degree

18%1,267

Professional Degree

2.6%184

Doctorate

2.1%150

HS or Higher

97.2%

BA or Higher

52.9%

Graduate+

22.8%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$156,000

Median Renti

$870

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

60%2,467

Renter-Occupied

40%1,648

Total Units

4,631

Homeownership

60%

Vacancy Rate

11.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

15.2%375

$50K–$100K

15.8%391

$100K–$150K

14.4%356

$150K–$200K

25%616

$200K–$300K

16.2%399

$300K–$500K

13.4%330

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

351

$750–$1,000

639

$1,000–$1,250

296

$1,250–$1,500

186

$1,500–$2,000

Year Built

2010–2019

6.2%288

2000–2009

4.4%203

1990–1999

6.2%289

1980–1989

14.7%683

1970–1979

11.6%537

1960–1969

11.3%523

1950–1959

10.9%507

1940–1949

4.2%195

1939 or earlier

30.4%1,406

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

65.7%2,703

Electricity

29%1,195

Bottled/LP Gas

3.5%144

No Fuel

1%40

Other

0.5%22

Wood

0.3%11

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$51,311

Mean Household Incomei

$81,231

Per Capita Incomei

$36,189

Poverty Ratei

18.5%

Unemploymenti

11.8%

Labor Forcei

4,502

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

11.8%487

$10K–$15K

5.5%226

$15K–$20K

3.9%159

$20K–$25K

4.3%177

$25K–$30K

6.7%276

$30K–$35K

5.3%218

$35K–$40K

5%205

$40K–$45K

4.5%187

$45K–$50K

1.7%69

$50K–$60K

7.6%312

$60K–$75K

9.8%405

$75K–$100K

9.6%393

$100K–$125K

10.8%446

$125K–$150K

3.9%159

$150K–$200K

3.1%128

$200K+

6.5%268

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

313

Residentsi

340

Avg. Tenant Renti

$363/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

42 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing10 homes

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers188 homes68% occupied$382/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8114 homes92% occupied$331/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $51,311/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $15K/yr

81.6%

Very low income$15K–$26K/yr

17.2%

Low income$26K–$41K/yr

1.2%

Who Receives This Housing

63% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

6.5% of subsidized households are minority

32.9% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

53.9% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,92920.4%

By Region

Top Countries

India

129

Philippines

Canada

Mexico

Germany

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

3,957

Avg. Commutei

13.2 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

3,971

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

524(6.5% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

90.8%Insured

9.2%Uninsured