Jefferson County, IA

County

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2024 Population

15,705

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

43.7

0.46% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

15.2%

4.34% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$61,620

8.44% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$163,400

1.36% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

7,248

5.35% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Jefferson County, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

88.8% of the residents in Jefferson County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Jefferson County, IA are Maharishi International University (843 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Jefferson County, IA was $163,400, and the homeownership rate was 67.7%.

Most people in Jefferson County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Jefferson County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Jefferson County, IA borders Davis County, IA, Henry County, IA, Keokuk County, IA, Van Buren County, IA, Wapello County, IA, and Washington County, IA.

United States Iowa Fairfield, IA

Population & Diversity

Jefferson County, IA is home to a population of 15.7k people, from which 88.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 14.1% of Jefferson County, IA residents were born outside of the country (2.22k people).

In 2024, there were 10.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (12.9k people) in Jefferson County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.29k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 377 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

88.8%

2024 Citizenship

91.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 88.8% of Jefferson County, IA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Jefferson County, IA was 91.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Jefferson County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Jefferson County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
12.9k ± 97
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
1.29k ± 65
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
377 ± 47

4.1%

Hispanic Population

644 people

4.1% of the people in Jefferson County, IA are hispanic (644 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Jefferson County, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
44,333 ± 5,134 people
India
11,889 ± 2,672 people
Guatemala
8,189 ± 2,219 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 44,333 Iowa residents, followed by India with 11,889 and Guatemala with 8,189.

Foreign-Born Population

14.1%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

2.22k people

11.8%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.85k people

As of 2024, 14.1% of Jefferson County, IA residents (2.22k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Jefferson County, IA was 11.8%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Jefferson County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
250 ± 80
Gulf War (2001-)
232 ± 114
Gulf War (1990s)
203 ± 106

Jefferson County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.08 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Jefferson County, IA.

Health

93.3% of the population of Jefferson County, IA has health coverage, with 33.9% on employee plans, 20.6% on Medicaid, 21.8% on Medicare, 14.2% on non-group plans, and 2.78% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Jefferson County, IA see 1,304 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,304 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1427 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 454 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.4% were men and 48.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,304 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Jefferson County, IA

Primary care physicians in Jefferson County, IA see an average of 1,304 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,304 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Jefferson County, IA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.4% under 18 years, 22.5% between 18 and 34 years, 33% between 35 and 64 years, and 26.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.4% were men and 48.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.68%

Uninsured

33.9%

Employer Coverage

20.6%

Medicaid

21.8%

Medicare

14.2%

Non-Group

2.78%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Jefferson County, IA declined by 6.98% from 7.18% to 6.68%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Jefferson County, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.63 in Jefferson County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Jefferson County, IA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.4% in Jefferson County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Jefferson County, IA.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 7.82% in Jefferson County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Jefferson County, IA.

Economy

The economy of Jefferson County, IA employs 7.25k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Jefferson County, IA were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,025 people), Retail Trade (989 people), and Manufacturing (873 people), and the highest paying industries were Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($78,409), Transportation & Warehousing ($78,409), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($66,250).

Employment

Occupations

7.25k

2024 Value

± 597

−5.35%

1 Year decline

± 12.3%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Jefferson County, IA declined at a rate of −5.35%, from 7.66k employees to 7.25k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Jefferson County, IA, are Sales & Related Occupations (831 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (688 people), and Management Occupations (534 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Jefferson County, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.25k

2024 Value

± 597

−5.35%

1 Year decline

± 12.3%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Jefferson County, IA declined at a rate of −5.35%, from 7.66k employees to 7.25k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Jefferson County, IA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,025 people), Retail Trade (989 people), and Manufacturing (873 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Jefferson County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Jefferson County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,182

Median earning men ± $6,724

$35,042

Median earning women ± $2,969

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($95,036), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($81,198), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($80,125).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($58,143), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,716), and Construction ($45,179).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Y-Axis

1.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.57M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 1.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

103
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
47
Retail Trade
42
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$86.7k
Finance and Insurance
$43.6k
Manufacturing
$35.5k
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Jefferson County, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.789%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Jefferson County, IA awarded 843 degrees. The student population of Jefferson County, IA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,073 male students and 1,519 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Jefferson County, IA are White (172 and 39.9%), Unknown (113 and 26.2%), Black or African American (65 and 15.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (35 and 8.12%).

The largest universities in Jefferson County, IA by number of degrees awarded are Maharishi International University (843 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Jefferson County, IA are Computer Science (416 and 49.3%), General Business Administration & Management (117 and 13.9%), and Ayurvedic Medicine (87 and 10.3%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $16,000.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Jefferson County, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 95.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 75.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 2,592 (41.4% men and 58.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 2,592 students enrolled in Jefferson County, IA, 41.4% men and 58.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Non-resident Alien with 902 records, of which 26.5% were women and 73.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
411 degrees awarded
Ayurvedic Medicine
87 degrees awarded
Other Philosophy & Religious Studies
25 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Jefferson County, IA was Computer Science with 411 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Masters Degree from schools in Jefferson County, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Maharishi International University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

843 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Maharishi International University with 843 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 460 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Jefferson County, IA, which is 1.2 times more than the 383 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 172 degrees mean that there were 1.52 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 113 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($16,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($530) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Jefferson County, IA was $163,400 in 2024, which is 0.491 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $161,200 to $163,400, a 1.36% increase. The homeownership rate in Jefferson County, IA is 67.7%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Jefferson County, IA have an average commute time of 15.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Jefferson County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jefferson County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.02%.

Housing

Property

$163,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$8,367

$4,706

Median Property Taxes

±$454

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Jefferson County, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Jefferson County, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

67.7%

Homeownership

2024

63.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 67.7% of the housing units in Jefferson County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Jefferson County, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$61,620

Median Household Income

± $10,446

6.95k

Number of Households

± 548

In 2024, the median household income of the 6.95k households in Jefferson County, IA grew to $61,620 from the previous year's value of $56,824.

The following chart displays the households in Jefferson County, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Jefferson County, IA is from Iowa.

0.435

2024 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2024, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.435 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.29% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (69.7%)
Worked At Home (18.2%)
Walked (4.36%)

In 2024, 69.7% of workers in Jefferson County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (18.2%) and those who walked to work (4.36%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

15.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Jefferson County, IA have a shorter commute time (15.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.19% of the workforce in Jefferson County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Jefferson County, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Jefferson County, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Jefferson County, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jefferson County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.02%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

15.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Jefferson County, IA (2.23k out of 14.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 25 - 34, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Jefferson County, IA is White, followed by Asian and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 18.6% of the children was living in poverty in Jefferson County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 84 in Jefferson County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 44.2% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.