The Town Files

Jefferson County, Iowa

15,705 people. The median home is worth $163,400 (typical Iowa town: $156,300) and the median household earns $61,620.

Towns in Jefferson County

Towns in Jefferson County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Fairfield9,416$156,000$51,31140.0

People and housing

Jefferson CountyTypical Iowa town
Median home value$163,400$156,300
Median rent$883$820
Median household income$61,620$69,254
Median age43.740.2
Bachelor's degree or higher43.2%21.8%
Below the poverty line15.2%9.3%

Jobs and pay

7,185 jobs in 2024, average pay $53,535 a year.

Largest industries in Jefferson CountyFinance & insurance1,050 jobs · $78,974Retail896 jobs · $35,534Manufacturing800 jobs · $56,984Hotels & restaurants397 jobs · $19,051Professional & technical serv…332 jobs · $92,998Wholesale trade237 jobs · $87,078
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Jefferson County0%2%4%6%8%10%2000200420082012201620202023 2.7%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 413 storm events in Jefferson County from 1996 to 2026.

Storm events in Jefferson County by type since 1996Hail85Flood9Drought17Dense Fog8High Wind8Ice Storm12Heavy Snow16Flash Flood15Winter Storm51Winter Weather48
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Jefferson County has been included in 12 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
March 23, 2020BiologicalDR-4483: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3480: Covid-19
July 31, 2015Severe StormDR-4234: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding
May 31, 2013FloodDR-4119: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding
January 4, 2008Severe Ice StormDR-1737: Severe Winter Storm
March 14, 2007Severe StormDR-1688: Severe Winter Storms
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).