Fairfield, IA
Census place 1926445 · pop 9,456
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.55 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
45.0% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-8.1% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$51,311 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
20.7% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.69% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
88.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
27.5% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
14.6% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
60.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
3.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
141 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
15.7% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
7.4% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
519 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$156,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
52.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
21/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
13 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
Not measured for Fairfield: Air, Bad air, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Fairfield, IA a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Fairfield scores 55/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is commute time and its weakest is income inequality. Iowa overall ranks #11 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Fairfield, IA?
- Fairfield reports 141 violent crimes per 100k and 519 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Fairfield, IA expensive to live in?
- Fairfield has a median home value of $156,000 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Fairfield, IA?
- Its weakest measured area is income inequality (0.55) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Fairfield, IA best at?
- Its strongest measured area is commute time (13 min) — 98/100, better than most U.S. cities.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.