Fayette County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.4 | 19,210 people · 32nd most distressed in Iowa
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Fayette County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.4 — 2349th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Iowa, it ranks 32nd of 99 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fayette County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 63.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 63.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 35
Structural Poverty 57.0
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 53
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 46
Disability Rate 55
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Legal Distress 30.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Economic Vitality 29.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 25

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fayette County
Fayette County, IA 37.4 Normal —
Black Hawk County, IA 51.4 Elevated +14.0
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy -8.3
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy -10.7
Delaware County, IA 24.4 Healthy -13.0
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy -13.6
Chickasaw County, IA 18.7 Healthy -18.7
Bremer County, IA 17.8 Healthy -19.6
Winneshiek County, IA 16.2 Healthy -21.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fayette County
Alpena County, MI 37.4 Normal -0.0
Houghton County, MI 37.5 Normal +0.1
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal +0.1
Ashe County, NC 37.2 Normal -0.2
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Fayette County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Fayette County

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Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Fayette County, Iowa?

    Fayette County has a County Distress Index score of 37.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,349th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 32nd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fayette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fayette County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 63.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Fayette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fayette County (37.4) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Black Hawk County, IA (51.4); Clayton County, IA (29.1); Allamakee County, IA (26.7).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Fayette County's score of 37.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Fayette County's CDI score?

    Fayette County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Fayette County?

    Fayette County, Iowa has a population of approximately 19,210 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.