Fayette County is a county in Iowa, United States, in the northeast corner of the state along the Volga and Turkey rivers. It had a population of 19,509 at the 2020 census and covers 731 square miles (1,890 km2) centred near 42°52′N 91°51′W.
West Union is the county seat and its postal code is 52175. The county has 14 incorporated cities and 15 unincorporated communities, plus 20 civil townships, and observes Central time.
Towns & Villages in Fayette County
Fayette County has 14 incorporated cities, led by West Union as the seat, plus 15 unincorporated communities and mobile-home courts scattered across its townships. Populations below are the 2020 census figures where confirmed; unconfirmed cells are marked with a dash.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Union | City · seat | — | — | 52175 |
| Oelwein | City | — | 5,920 | 50662 |
| Fayette | City | — | — | 52142 |
| Clermont | City | — | — | 52135 |
| Elgin | City | — | — | 52141 |
| Arlington | City | — | — | 50606 |
| Waucoma | City | — | — | 52171 |
| Hawkeye | City | — | — | 52147 |
| Maynard | City | — | — | 50655 |
| Wadena | City | — | — | 52169 |
| Westgate | City | — | — | 50681 |
| St. Lucas | City | — | — | 52166 |
| Stanley | City | — | — | — |
| Fairbank | City | — | — | — |
| Albany | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Alpha | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Brainard | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Donnan | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Douglass | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Eldorado | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Illyria | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Lakeview MH Court | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Lima | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Maryville | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Oran | Unincorp. | Oran | — | 50664 |
| Randalia | Unincorp. | — | — | 52164 |
| Richfield | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Scott | Unincorp. | Scott | — | — |
| Taylorsville | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
Fairbank sits on the Fayette–Buchanan county line and its post office serves addresses on both sides; the city government is seated in Buchanan County. Sumner, listed on older versions of this page, is actually a Bremer County city and has been dropped here.
Townships
Fayette County is divided into 20 civil townships. Populations at the township level are not separately confirmed here; the list below gives the townships this page can verify by name, with main settlements noted where a town shares its township’s name.
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | — | — |
| Banks | — | — |
| Bethel | — | — |
| Center | — | — |
| Dover | — | — |
| Eden | — | — |
| Fremont | — | — |
| Harlan | — | — |
| Jefferson | — | — |
| Oran | — | Oran |
| Pleasant Valley | — | — |
| Scott | — | Scott |
| Union | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 52175 — West Union
- 50662 — Oelwein
- 52142 — Fayette
- 52135 — Clermont
- 52141 — Elgin
- 50606 — Arlington
- 52171 — Waucoma
- 52147 — Hawkeye
- 50655 — Maynard
- 52169 — Wadena
- 50681 — Westgate
- 52166 — St. Lucas (post office box delivery only)
- 50664 — Oran
- 52164 — Randalia
Stanley and Fairbank are not confirmed here as standalone ZIP centers; Fairbank’s mail is understood to route through the Buchanan County side of that split city.
Geography
Fayette County sits on the rolling, stream-cut uplands of northeast Iowa’s Driftless-edge landscape, drained by the Volga River in the south and the Turkey River and its Little Turkey and West Fork branches through the county’s centre and north. Land makes up nearly all of the county’s 731 square miles, with 0.5 square miles of water.
Fayette County borders Winneshiek County to the north, Clayton County and Allamakee County to the east, Delaware County and Buchanan County to the south, and Bremer County, Chickasaw County and Black Hawk County to the west and southwest.
Demographics
Fayette County had 19,509 residents at the 2020 census, down from 20,880 in 2010. Oelwein, at 5,920 people, is the largest community, followed by West Union as county seat. Density works out to roughly 27 people per square mile. Iowa’s statewide median household income is the Iowa median of $71,433; Fayette County’s own figure is not independently confirmed here, but the county’s population decline and rural township base put it below the state median.
Economy & Local Life
Oelwein has historically anchored the county’s rail and manufacturing base, having grown up as a Chicago Great Western Railway division point; agriculture, particularly corn, soybeans and livestock, drives the surrounding townships. Upper Iowa University, a private four-year college, is based in the city of Fayette and is one of the county’s larger employers. West Union serves as the county’s government and retail hub as seat.
History
Fayette County was established on December 21, 1837, while the area was still part of Wisconsin Territory, and organized for local government in 1850. It takes its name from Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War. Oelwein’s growth in the late 19th century followed directly from its selection as a Chicago Great Western Railway junction, which shaped the city’s layout and economy for decades.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 18 crosses the county east–west, with Iowa Highways 3, 56, 93, 150, 187 and 281 providing north–south and local connections between the county’s towns.
- Oelwein — 10 miles east of West Union
- Waterloo — about 35 miles south
- Cedar Falls — about 35 miles south
- Decorah — about 25 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Waterloo Regional Airport, roughly 40 miles south of West Union.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fayette County, Iowa?
It is in the northeast part of the state, bordering Winneshiek, Clayton, Allamakee, Delaware, Buchanan, Bremer, Chickasaw and Black Hawk counties.
What is the population of Fayette County?
19,509 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Fayette County?
731 square miles (1,890 km2), of which 0.5 square miles is water.
What is the Fayette County seat?
West Union is the county seat.
How many towns are in Fayette County?
14 incorporated cities and about 15 unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Fayette County?
West Union’s postal code is 52175; other towns each have their own ZIP, including 50662 (Oelwein) and 52142 (Fayette).
Where does the name Fayette County come from?
It honors the Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who fought alongside George Washington in the Revolutionary War.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Iowa.