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Fayette County, Iowa facts for kids

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Fayette County
U.S. 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.
Country  United States
State  Iowa
Founded 1837
Named for Marquis de Lafayette
Seat West Union
Largest city Oelwein
Area
 • Total 731 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Land 731 sq mi (1,890 km2)
 • Water 0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.07%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 19,509
 • Density 26.688/sq mi (10.304/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd

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

History

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, 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. 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.

Geography

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.

Major highways

  • US 18.svg U.S. Highway 18
  • Circle sign 3.svg Iowa Highway 3
  • Elongated circle 56.svg Iowa Highway 56
  • Elongated circle 93.svg Iowa Highway 93
  • Elongated circle 150.svg Iowa Highway 150
  • Elongated circle 187.svg Iowa Highway 187
  • Elongated circle 281.svg Iowa Highway 281

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 825 —
1860 12,073 1,363.4%
1870 16,973 40.6%
1880 22,258 31.1%
1890 23,141 4.0%
1900 29,845 29.0%
1910 27,919 −6.5%
1920 29,251 4.8%
1930 29,145 −0.4%
1940 29,151 0.0%
1950 28,294 −2.9%
1960 28,581 1.0%
1970 26,898 −5.9%
1980 25,488 −5.2%
1990 21,843 −14.3%
2000 22,008 0.8%
2010 20,880 −5.1%
2020 19,509 −6.6%
2023 (est.) 19,210 −8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2018
FayetteCountyIowaPop2020
Population of Fayette County from US census data

2020 census

FayetteCountyIA2022PopPyr
2022 US Census population pyramid for Fayette County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 19,509 in the county, with a population density of 26.7345/sq mi (10.3222/km2). 96.09% of the population reported being of one race. There were 9,298 housing units of which 8,174 were occupied.

Fayette County Racial Composition
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

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.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Fayette County is divided into twenty townships:

  • Auburn
  • Banks
  • Bethel
  • Center
  • Clermont
  • Dover
  • Eden
  • Fairfield
  • Fremont
  • Harlan
  • Illyria
  • Jefferson
  • Oran
  • Pleasant Valley
  • Putnam
  • Scott
  • Smithfield
  • Union
  • Westfield
  • Windsor

Population ranking

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

† 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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Fayette (Iowa) para niños

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