Editing Fairfield, Iowa

{{Other uses|Fairfield (disambiguation){{!}}Fairfield}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Fairfield, Iowa
| settlement_type          = City
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Fairfield iowa.jpg
| image_caption            = Main Street
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Jefferson_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Fairfield_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Fairfield within [[Jefferson County, Iowa|Jefferson County]] and [[Iowa]]
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
<!-- Location -->
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|00|23|N|91|58|00|W|region:US-IA_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = [[Iowa]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Jefferson County, Iowa|Jefferson]]
| established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date         = May 14, 1875<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sos.iowa.gov/business/pdf/IncCities.pdf  |title=LIST OF INCORPORATED CITIES |page=6 |date=March 16, 2012 |publisher=[[Iowa Secretary of State]] |access-date=August 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415051955/http://sos.iowa.gov/business/pdf/IncCities.pdf |archive-date=April 15, 2013 }}</ref> 
| government_type          = 
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 17.54
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.77
| area_land_km2            = 17.13
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.61
| area_water_km2           = 0.41
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.16
<!-- Elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 774
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 9416
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_density_km2   = 549.69
| population_density_sq_mi = 1423.65
| timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset               = −6
| timezone_DST             = [[Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = −5
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 52556–52557<ref name="GR7">{{cite web|url=http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action|title=USPS – Look Up a ZIP Code|access-date=February 15, 2012|author=United States Postal Service|year=2012}}</ref> 
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code                = [[Area code 641|641]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 19-26445
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 467811<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|467811}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|cityoffairfieldiowa.com}}
| footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
}}

'''Fairfield''' is a city in, and the [[county seat]] of, [[Jefferson County, Iowa]], United States.<ref name=gnis/> It has a population of 9,416 people, according to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>  The median family income is $46,138, with 10% of families below the poverty line.

It became the county seat in 1839 with 110 residents and grew to 650 by 1847. Its library was established in 1853, and it held its first fair in 1854. Early architecture in Fairfield includes work by [[George Franklin Barber]] and [[Barry Byrne]].

==History==
The area now known as Jefferson County was first settled in 1836 and became Jefferson County in 1839, with the new community of Fairfield as the [[county seat]]. The name was suggested by Nancy Bonnifield, one of the settlers, because it aptly described the fair fields of the area. But author Susan Welty suggests it was also a play of words on the woman's own name (bonny field).<ref name="EBeb">{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/200404/Fairfield |title=Fairfield (2011) |publisher=In Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=March 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Welty">{{cite book |last=Welty |first=Susan |title=A Fair File |publisher=Harlo Press |year=1968 |pages=13–43,87,106–108}}</ref> By 1840, Fairfield had a population of 110 and grew to 650 in 1847.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.growfairfield.com/pdf/2009_FEDA_Community_Quick_Reference.pdf |title=Fairfield, Iowa: Community Quick Reference |access-date=May 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415135305/http://www.growfairfield.com/pdf/2009_FEDA_Community_Quick_Reference.pdf |archive-date=April 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The city was the site of the first and second [[Iowa State Fair]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iowastatefair.org/about-us/history/its-beginnings/|title=History / Museum – Iowa State Fair|website=Iowa State Fair|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=March 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314180209/http://www.iowastatefair.org/about-us/history/its-beginnings/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The first fair was held October 25–27, 1854, on {{convert|6|acre|ha}} of land surrounded by a {{convert|10|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}} fence. The total cost to hold the fair was around $320, and public admission was 25 cents per person. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 fair goers attended this historical event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iowastatefair.com/about/trivia.php |title=Iowa State Fair |publisher=Trivia |access-date=December 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130160719/http://iowastatefair.com/about/trivia.php |archive-date=November 30, 2010 }}</ref> Parsons College was founded in 1875.<ref name="EBeb"/> In 1893, the Carnegie Library was completed, the first west of the Mississippi.<ref name="Welty" /> During the time leading up to the [[American Civil War]], Fairfield was a stopping point for the [[Underground Railroad]]. Ultimately, over 1,600 residents of Jefferson County served in the [[Union Army]].<ref name="Welty" />

Early architecture in Fairfield includes [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] houses designed by George Franklin Barber,<ref>{{cite book |title=Victorian Architecture: An American Catalog of Designs |author=George Franklin Barber |publisher=Dover |year=2004 |page=xiii}}</ref> as well as a 1915 house designed by Barry Byrne, who trained under Frank Lloyd Wright.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/notable-houses/clarke-prairie.htm |title=Dr. James Frederic Clarke House |publisher=Antique Home Style |access-date=November 18, 2010}}</ref> A 1930s bank building was designed in the [[Streamline Moderne]] style.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jonathan Lipman |title=Frank Lloyd Wright and the Johnson Wax Buildings |publisher=Courier Dover Publications |year=2003 |page=31}}</ref> Commercial and institutional architecture were influenced by the Louden Industries, including the Louden Foundry.<ref>{{cite book |author=John Michael Vlach |title=Barns |publisher=W. W. Norton |year=2003 |page=156}}</ref> Fairfield is the site of the prototype [[Carnegie library]].

In 1892, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[James F. Wilson|"Jefferson Jim" Wilson]] met with [[Andrew Carnegie]] and secured a grant to build the first community-based library in the U.S. This served as the model for 2,700 libraries worldwide. The [[Richardsonian Romanesque]] work is now operated by [[Indian Hills Community College]] as a satellite campus building, as a new library was built in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clip.grad.uiowa.edu/iowa-carnegie-public-libraries|title=Iowa Carnegie Public Libraries|publisher= Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project at The University of Iowa|access-date=February 5, 2010}}</ref>

Parsons College later received a grant to build a Carnegie Library. Fairfield became one of the few cities that had two Carnegie Libraries.

==Geography==
Fairfield's geography is typical of the American [[Midwest]]: around the city is rolling farmland specializing in corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs. Running west–east through the city is [[U.S. Route 34 in Iowa|U.S. Route 34]]; the city of [[Burlington, Iowa|Burlington]] is to the east and [[Ottumwa, Iowa|Ottumwa]] to the west. [[Iowa Highway 1]] runs from north to south through Fairfield, leading north to [[Iowa City, Iowa|Iowa City]] and south to the [[Missouri]] state border.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.42|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.26|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.16|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=(no page title) |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_19.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811032057/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/2010_place_list_19.txt |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |website=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=August 23, 2013 |year=2010 |at=IA 1926445 00467811 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Fairfield, Iowa (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =30.6
| Feb high F  =35.6
| Mar high F  =48.5
| Apr high F  =61.9
| May high F  =71.3
| Jun high F  =80.5
| Jul high F  =84.2
| Aug high F  =82.6
| Sep high F  =76.1
| Oct high F  =62.8
| Nov high F  =47.8
| Dec high F  =35.4
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =22.1
| Feb mean F  =26.6
| Mar mean F  =38.3
| Apr mean F  =50.4
| May mean F  =60.5
| Jun mean F  =70.0
| Jul mean F  =73.8
| Aug mean F  =71.9
| Sep mean F  =64.4
| Oct mean F  =52.0
| Nov mean F  =38.7
| Dec mean F  =27.6
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =13.6
| Feb low F  =17.7
| Mar low F  =28.1
| Apr low F  =38.8
| May low F  =49.8
| Jun low F  =59.5
| Jul low F  =63.5
| Aug low F  =61.3
| Sep low F  =52.8
| Oct low F  =41.3
| Nov low F  =29.7
| Dec low F  =19.7
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =1.52
| Feb precipitation inch  =1.80
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.40
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.71
| May precipitation inch  =5.51
| Jun precipitation inch  =5.11
| Jul precipitation inch  =3.96
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.83
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.58
| Oct precipitation inch  =3.00
| Nov precipitation inch  =2.28
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.72
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =6.2
| Feb snow inch  =7.2
| Mar snow inch  =2.7
| Apr snow inch  =1.0
| May snow inch  =0.0
| Jun snow inch  =0.0
| Jul snow inch  =0.0
| Aug snow inch  =0.0
| Sep snow inch  =0.0
| Oct snow inch  =0.2
| Nov snow inch  =0.9
| Dec snow inch  =3.5
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00132789 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-03-30 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 909
|1860= 1692
|1870= 2226
|1880= 3086
|1890= 3391
|1900= 4689
|1910= 4970
|1920= 5948
|1930= 6619
|1940= 6773
|1950= 7299
|1960= 8054
|1970= 8715
|1980= 9428
|1990= 9768
|2000= 9509
|2010= 9464
|2020= 9416
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>
}}
[[File:FairfieldIowaPopPlot.png|thumb|alt=The population of Fairfield, Iowa, from U.S. census data|The population of Fairfield, Iowa, from U.S. census data]]

===2020 census===
As of the [[United States census|census]] of 2020,<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 9,416 people, 4,275 households, and 2,119 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,423.7 inhabitants per square mile (549.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 4,811 housing units at an average density of 727.4 per square mile (280.9/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 81.3% [[White Americans|White]], 4.1% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.5% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 5.0% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 2.7% from other races and 6.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 5.4% of the population.

Of the 4,275 households, 20.5% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.1% were cohabitating couples, 32.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 26.3% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 50.4% of all households were non-families. 43.7% of all households were made up of individuals, 24.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 18.9% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.8% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 27.0% were from 25 and 44; 20.9% were from 45 and 64; and 28.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.

===2010 census===
As of the census<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|access-date=May 11, 2012|at = search Community Facts for Fairfield City, Iowa|website = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> of 2010, there were 9,464 people, 4,201 households, and 2,218 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1511.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,650 housing units at an average density of {{convert|742.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 4,201 households, of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.2% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the city was 46 years. 18.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9% were from 25 to 44; 35.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 9,509 people, 4,063 households, and 2,372 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,657.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,463 housing units at an average density of {{convert|777.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.35% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.99% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.53% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.73% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.21% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.64% of the population.

There were 4,063 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,202, and the median income for a family was $46,138. Males had a median income of $34,750 versus $24,830 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,673. About 10.1% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

There are 4,437 total housing units in Fairfield, 33.3% were built before 1939, 20.4% between 1940 and 1959, 12.7 between 1960 and 1969, 9.2 between 1970 and 1979, 15.5 between 1980 and 1989, 4.6 between 1990 and 1994, 2.5 between 1995 and 1998, and 1.8 between 1998 and 1999. The median home value in Fairfield is $73,200.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1926445&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP4&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on|title=American FactFinder – Results|publisher=United States Census Bureau|website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210212711/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1926445&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP4&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on|archive-date=February 10, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Economy ==
According to an article in ''[[The New York Times]]'', the city "thrives largely on its abundance of [[Startup company|start-up]] companies".<ref name="nytimes.com"/> Members of the community have established over 400 businesses in areas such as software, manufacturing, and trading.<ref name=atlantic/> The Agri-Industrial Products company was founded in 1978 and became one of the nation's largest manufacturers of construction warning barrels and other products made of plastic.<ref name="nytimes.com">[https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/23/business/hot-spots-silicorn-valley-meditating-for-fun-and-profit.html] ''The New York Times'', Hot Spots, Silicorn Valley, Meditating for Fun and Profit, Andrew Bluth, September 23, 1998</ref> The city is also home to Creative Edge, a ceramic tile manufacturer.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111008133000/http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=483356] Heartland Connection, Ceramic tiles commemorate Iowa [[quilter]]s, Matt Burhman, July 15, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2011</ref>

In 1990, [[Iowa Governor]] [[Terry Branstad]] called the city "one of the state's economic superstars".<ref>''Los Angeles Times'', Flying University Draws Meditating Entrepreneurs, April 8, 1990, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-08-mn-1710-story.html]</ref> A 1997 report said the city had a significant number of entrepreneur businesses including a [[tofu]] company, several software firms, a chimney supplies wholesaler, [[wholefoods]] grocery store, an oil brokerage, and a telecommunications company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/1997/october/14628-1.html|title=Entrepreneur, Oct 1997, Green Acres, Brian Steinberg|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> These new companies were reported in 1999 to have "created up to 1,500 jobs in high tech businesses ranging from telecommunications companies to Internet providers to PC-oriented magazines".<ref name="Forbes">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/asap/1999/0823/139.html|title=Resurgence of the Rural Life |website=Forbes|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> Later, the city was dubbed "Silicorn Valley" because of the preponderance of new businesses that were Internet and information based, founded by practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation technique.<ref name="nytimes.com"/><ref name="Forbes"/>

In the 1990s, Fairfield had an average of $10&nbsp;million in new construction each year. Some of the construction was in the Maharishi Sthapatya Veda style of architecture<ref name="NPR"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/11/AR2008121103497.html|title=Bricks, mortar and serenity |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=December 12, 2008 |access-date=November 18, 2010 |first=Miranda S. |last=Spivack}}</ref> and included entrances that face either due east or due north,<ref name=Lee>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04E7DA1F31F934A25757C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=printl| title = In Many Ways, a New Iowa Town Looks to East| author-link = Jennifer 8 Lee|first=Jennifer 8|last=Lee| work =[[The New York Times]]| date = April 17, 2001| access-date = June 25, 2007}}</ref> causing some businesses and homeowners to close their south and west facing entrances.<ref name=Kraus/> Eco friendly subdivisions that border Fairfield and also use the architectural principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda include Cypress Villages, a {{convert|145|acre|km2|adj=on}} development north of the city, and Abundance Ecovillage, an off-the-grid community of 14 homes built in three clusters<ref>"Harmonious Living With Nature" by Mindy Kralicek, Iowa Outdoors, March/April 2012 p 52.</ref> north of Fairfield. The first LEED Platinum home in the state of Iowa was built nearby in the Cypress Villages Subdivision. Cypress Villages applied to the state for incorporation as it could not be annexed into either Fairfield or Maharishi Vedic City. That request was denied until such time as more services could be offered by the community.<ref name=Dalbey>[http://iowaindependent.com/24858/fairfield-%E2%80%98blazing-a-trail%E2%80%99-for-other-iowa-cities-eyeing-sustainability Dalbey, Beth, "Fairfield blazing a trail for other Iowa cities eyeing sustainability", ''Iowa Independent'' (January 4, 2010)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713052551/http://iowaindependent.com/24858/fairfield-%E2%80%98blazing-a-trail%E2%80%99-for-other-iowa-cities-eyeing-sustainability |date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.enn.com/business/spotlight/23347  Schaefer, Paul, "Going beyond LEEDs, beautifully, in Iowa", ''Environmental News Network'' (September 24, 2007)]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iowasource.com/home_garden/cypress_1007.html |title=Kingsbury, Sarah, "Iowa ecovisionary builds green city", ''Iowa Source'' (October 2007) |access-date=February 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122170540/http://www.iowasource.com/home_garden/cypress_1007.html |archive-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19838750&BRD=1142&PAG=461&dept_id=567522&rfi=6 Jacobs, Lacey "Supervisors want Cypress Villages' request dismissed" ''Fairfield Daily Ledger'' (July 8, 2008)]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=Withdraw>[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19846614&BRD=1142&PAG=461&dept_id=567522&rfi=6 Jacobs, Lacey, "Cypress Villages to withdraw city incorporation request" ''Fairfield Daily Ledger'' (July 11, 2008)]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20113989&BRD=1142&PAG=461&dept_id=567522&rfi=6 Jacobs, Lacey, "Annexing airport remains option for City Council", ''Fairfield Daily Ledger'' (September 9, 2008)]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>Jacobs, Lacey, "Cypress Villages now clear to seek incorporation," Fairfield Daily Ledger, July 30, 2009</ref> In addition, nearby [[Maharishi Vedic City]], located two miles (3&nbsp;km) north of Fairfield, began as a subdivision and [[Municipal corporation|incorporated]] as a city in 2001.<ref>[http://www.maharishivediccity-iowa.gov/council/resolutions/05.html Resolution No. 5 – "To Approve Agreement for Fire Protection between the City of Fairfield and the City of Vedic City"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007032010/http://www.maharishivediccity-iowa.gov/council/resolutions/05.html |date=October 7, 2011 }} December 14, 2001, MVS web site</ref> The city sponsors an annual Eco-Fair and has more [[solar energy]] homes and green building than any other city in Iowa.<ref name="MEN1">{{cite web|url=http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/2006-08-01/Great-Places-Fairfield-Iowa.aspx|title=12 Great Places: Fairfield, Iowa – MOTHER EARTH NEWS|access-date=2 October 2018}}</ref>

In 2003, a report by the National Center for Small Communities selected Fairfield as a recipient of The Grassroots Rural Entrepreneurship Award, saying that the city "has become recognized as one [of] the nation's most entrepreneurial small towns." The report said that Fairfield had created over 2,000 jobs in the previous 15 years and that new construction averages $10&nbsp;million per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entreworks.net/Download/BestPractices.pdf|title=Grassroots Rural Entrepreneurship: Best Practices for Small Communities|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730181953/http://www.entreworks.net/Download/BestPractices.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> That same year, it received the Community Vitality Center's Entrepreneurial Community of the Year award.<ref name="Chojnowski">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110710220025/http://www.fairfieldiowaradio.com/explorefiles/IEDC_EDJ_Chojnowski.pdf] Economic Development Journal, Turning Fairfield, Iowa, into a Rural Renaissance City, Burt Chojnowski, Fall 2010</ref> According to City officials, Fairfield received investments of over $200&nbsp;million in venture capital from approximately 1990 to 2004.<ref>''The Washington Post'' Iowa Town Booms On Eastern Ways; Meditation, Business Draw Residents, by Kari Lydersen, Special to The Washington Post, August 9, 2004 [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50643-2004Aug8.html]</ref> A 2004 National Public Radio report said that over the past 20 years "TM proponents" had created thousands of jobs and more than 200 businesses.<ref name="NPR"/>

In 2008, the city was the "home of 40 [[software development]] and [[Telecommunications service provider|telecom]] companies"<ref name="WallStreetJournal">Wall Street Journal, In this Farm Town, Gurus Transcend Party, Chris Cooper, January 3, 2008, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119932860523364137?mod=todays_us_nonsub_page_one]</ref> and according to a 2009 report from the University of Iowa's Community Vitality Center, Fairfield has had more than $250&nbsp;million invested across 50 different companies since 1990. These companies have included various financial services as well as those in marketing, software and telecom. This has created 3000 local jobs, plus "12,000 jobs globally, and nearly $1&nbsp;billion in new equity".<ref>[http://www.cvcia.org/content/communityentreprenurship/national.case.studies.series/8.fairfield.pdf] Community Vitality Center PDF, page 3, Fairfield, Iowa: The Emergence of a Serial Entrepreneurial Community, Burt Chojnowski</ref>

{{anchor|Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association}}In 2009, the Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association (FEA) celebrated its 20th year. In 2011, the FEA published the Fairifield Edge magazine that contains profiles of over 40 businesses and organizations and describes the entrepreneurial culture of Fairfield and "asset quilting" to support civic and social entrepreneurship. In 2003, the city began hosting National Rural Entrepreneurial Gatherings, which are now called the FRED Conference (Focus on Rural Entrepreneurial Development). An article in the IEDC Economic Development Journal described Fairfield as a Rural Renaissance City because of its entrepreneurial population.<ref name="Chojnowski"/>

A 2011 article in ''[[The Atlantic]]'' reported that newcomers to the town had founded more than 400 new businesses in the fields of marketing, computer programming and manufacturing, including 40 telecom and software companies. The city's largest employer was reported to be the national broker/dealer services firm called Cambridge Investment Research, with about 400 local employees.<ref name=atlantic>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/12/look-to-iowas-future-not-its-past-a-response-to-bloom/250117/|title=Look to Iowa's Future, Not Its Past: A Response to Bloom|date=December 19, 2011|magazine=The Atlantic}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
A library was established in Fairfield in 1853 and was the first library in the state of Iowa. It was first housed in a rented room off the city square. 
Fairfield's library became the first [[Carnegie Library]] outside of Pennsylvania or Scotland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotcities.com/carnegie/early.htm|title=Early Carnegie Libraries|first=Gerald Blaikie, Glasgow|last=Scotland|website=scotcities.com|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=August 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810022518/http://www.scotcities.com/carnegie/early.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> funded by [[Andrew Carnegie]], who donated $40,000 to build the library.<ref>{{cite book|author=Theodore Jones|year=1997|title=Carnegie Libraries Across America: A Public Legacy|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn= 0-471-14422-3|page=2}}</ref> The Carnegie building on the corner of Washington and Court streets became the library's home on November 28, 1893. Then in May 1996, the library moved to its present location on West Adams Street. The library has over 220,000 items and received accreditation from the State Library of Iowa in 2009.<ref>[http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/Public/TheCity/CityDepartments/PublicLibrary/index.cfm Fairfield Public Library at City web site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930162837/http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/Public/TheCity/CityDepartments/PublicLibrary/index.cfm |date=September 30, 2011 }}</ref><ref>Fairfield Weekly Reader, September 16, 2009, pg 1</ref>

Fairfield is home to the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center (FACC), a {{convert|32000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} building that cost $6&nbsp;million to build.<ref name="NPR"/> The complex consists of a 522-seat [[proscenium theatre]], a business [[pavilion]], meeting rooms, executive conference suite, art gallery, commercial kitchen, offices and outdoor plaza. The [[convention center]] features {{convert|7700|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibition space and {{convert|5000|sqft|abbr=on}} of meeting space. The facility opened on December 7, 2007, with a theater named the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts, after the American composer, [[Stephen Sondheim]].<ref name="wnewsj.com">Julie Robinson, "[http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=166954&TM=22442.7 Locals intern at Sondheim Theater in Iowa] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718073636/http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=166954&TM=22442.7 |date=2011-07-18 }}," Wilmington News Journal, June 13, 2008</ref><ref name=Ledger>{{cite news |first=Diane |last=Vance |title=Local company creates art for Sondheim in New York |newspaper=The Fairfield Ledger |date=October 16, 2013 |page=1}}</ref>
As the first theater named after Sondheim, its opening production included seven Broadway actors connected with Sondheim's plays.<ref name="wnewsj.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usagnet.com/state_headlines/state_story.php?tble=IA2009&ID=955|title=USAgNet.com – Iowa News -|first=Daniel L.|last=Schiller|website=usagnet.com|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014232/http://www.usagnet.com/state_headlines/state_story.php?tble=IA2009&ID=955|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>"[http://broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway_Stars_Perform_at_Gala_Opening_of_Fairfield_Arts_Center_20071119 Broadway Stars Perform at Gala Opening of Fairfield Arts Center]," Broadway World.com, November 19, 2007</ref><ref>Adam Hetrick, "[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113277-Original-Cast-Members-Fete-Sondheim-at-New-Midwest-Arts-Center-Dec-7-9 Original Cast Members Fete Sondheim at New Midwest Arts Center Dec. 7–9] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219142118/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113277-Original-Cast-Members-Fete-Sondheim-at-New-Midwest-Arts-Center-Dec-7-9 |date=2013-12-19 }}," Playbill.com, December 4, 2007</ref> In May 2010, the FACC facility became "essentially" city-owned, following a citywide vote.<ref>[http://ottumwacourier.com/local/x1936215562/Neighbors-Lippincott-enjoying-the-ride-in-Fairfield] Ottumwa Courier, Neighbors: Lippencott enjoying the ride in Fairfield, Matt Milner, July 31, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2011</ref>

On the first Friday night of every month, Fairfield hosts the 1st Fridays Art Walk,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfieldartwalk.com|title=Home|date=May 4, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> which attracts more than 2,500 visitors and showcases local and national artists in downtown galleries and occasional live, outdoor music.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110831111207/http://travelfairfieldiowa.com/pdf/embracing-art-2011.pdf] DesMoines Register, Embracing Arts, March 19, 2011</ref>

In 2009, a concert by [[The Beach Boys]] and [[The Nadas]] was held on the Fairfield Middle School grounds, as a benefit for the FACC and the city's Green Sustainability Plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehawkeye.com/story/beachboys-090809|title="Beach Boys concert 'fun, fun, fun' for all" Hawkeye.com, 9/8/09|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> The concert was sponsored by the [[David Lynch Foundation]]. This was the 40th and final performance of The Beach Boys' summer tour of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/newsletter/2009_summer.html|title=The Beach Boys|website=davidlynchfoundation.org|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> Fairfield was selected by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs to be one of six Iowa Great Places to participate in new program to revitalize the cultural arts in 2010.<ref>"Fairfield selected for new Great Places program," Fairfield Daily Ledger, November 23, 2010</ref>

Fairfield has been described as an "international center" for [[Transcendental Meditation]];<ref name="NPR">Allen, Greg (August 31, 2004) Fairfield, Iowa, and its economic success, NPR</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mantra with a mission; Feature Om or ominous? |first=Alex |last=Hannaford |work=Sunday Times|location=London (UK)|date=December 12, 2010|page=68}}</ref> a "national magnet" and "the world's largest training center" for practitioners of the [[Transcendental Meditation technique]].<ref>{{cite news|title=What You Get for ... $200,000|first=MIKE|last=POWELL|date=August 18, 2009|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/greathomesanddestinations/19gh-what.html}}</ref><ref name="TC1">{{cite book|title=Missing in America: Making an Eternal Difference in the World Next Door |first1=Tom |last1=Clegg|first2=Warren |last2=Bird|pages=17–18|publisher=Group|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7644-3563-8}}</ref> Many of its current residents moved there to participate in the group practice of the TM and [[TM-Sidhi program]] inside one of the two [[Golden Domes]] built in 1981 and 1982 on the [[Maharishi International University]] campus. Locally, TM practitioners are sometimes called "roos", slang for [[gurus]],<ref name=Reader>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/fairfield-iowa-transcendental-meditation-silicorn-valley-mantra/Content?oid=26743992|title=How a tiny town in Iowa became 'Silicorn Valley|author=Greenfield, John|website=ChicagoReader.com|date=May 31, 2017|publisher=[[Chicago Reader]]|access-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> a term they have appropriated, although they "refer to themselves as meditators".<ref name="Forbes"/><ref name=Kraus>[http://dir.salon.com/story/people/feature/2000/08/25/roos/index.html Kraus, Daniel, "Roo the day", ''Salon'' (August 25, 2000)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902034840/http://dir.salon.com/story/people/feature/2000/08/25/roos/index.html |date=September 2, 2010 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/08/us/in-cat-killing-case-town-sees-old-divisions-erode.html Johnson, Dirk, "In cat-killing case, town sees old divisions erode", ''The New York Times'' (November 8, 1997)]</ref> Fairfield natives are sometimes known as "townies". Yogic Flyers living in Fairfield who are not part of the university are said to be members of the "Town Super Radiance" (TSR) community.<ref>{{cite news |volume=18 |number=6 |date=November 27, 2002 |title=Exhibit by Students of Bill Teeple Features Talented Artists |work=The Review |publisher=MUM |first=Jim |last=Karpen |ref={{sfnRef|Review|2002b}} |url=http://www.mum.edu/TheReview/02-03/11-27-02.html |archive-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804230410/http://www.mum.edu/TheReview/02-03/11-27-02.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2004, National Public Radio reported that "after 30 years, many in Iowa are comfortable with Fairfield's TM community"<ref name="NPR"/> and a 2008 article in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' said "natives lived uneasily with the outsiders...but the election of Mr. Malloy [in 2001]... helped ease those tensions".<ref name="NYT">Cooper, Christopher (January 3, 2008) In this farm town, gurus transcend party politics, ''The Wall Street Journal''</ref>

Author Jack Forem wrote in 2012 that Fairfield is home to one of the largest synagogues in Iowa and one of the largest Liberal Catholic Churches in the nation.<ref>Forem, Jack (2012) Hay House, Transcendental Meditation: The Essential Teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, page 185</ref> That year [[Oprah Winfrey]] visited Fairfield to interview citizens and was given a tour the town.<ref>Allt, Kate (March 20, 2012) [http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=732419 Fairfield to be featured on Oprah Winfrey Network] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423001613/http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=732419 |date=April 23, 2012 }} ''Heartland Connection''. Retrieved December 31, 2012</ref> An account of her visit titled "America's Most Unusual Town", was broadcast in March 2012 via the [[Oprah Winfrey Network (U.S. TV channel)|Oprah Winfrey Network]].<ref>[http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/oprahs-next-chapter.html America's Most Unusual Town: Sundays at 9/8c on OWN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113190744/http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/oprahs-next-chapter.html |date=January 13, 2012 }} #Nextchapter, [[Oprah Winfrey|Oprah]].com. Retrieved March 27, 2012</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120724021943/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012303240007 "Fairfield's fame levitates after Oprah's meditation"] Des Moines Register, March 24, 2012</ref>

{{wide image|Central Park, Fairfield, Iowa.jpg|1000px|[[Memorial Day]] in Central Park}}

==Parks and recreation==
Fairfield has 12 public parks and recreation areas consisting of over 1,300 acres (over 5.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and a "master trail plan" underway that includes a {{convert|17|mi|km|adj=on}} trail system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfieldparksandrec.com/parks.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113215214/http://www.fairfieldparksandrec.com/parks.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2010|title=Fairfield Parks & Recreation|publisher=SportsConductor|access-date=June 11, 2011}}</ref> Some of the trail is paved, five miles (8&nbsp;km) of the trail is covered with lime chips, while other areas include traditional wooded paths. The trail system connects several areas of interest, including the Neff Family Wetlands dike, and the BNSF Trail segment, which crosses a new bridge that joins Walton Lake with Chautauqua Park. The final trail plan includes a "heritage path" leading to historical sites and a water trail that connects the area's river and three lakes.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.traillink.com/trail/fairfield-loop-trail.aspx|title=Fairfield Loop Trail|publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy|access-date= June 11, 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Fairfield was selected "as one of ten finalists" in the [[Blue Zone]]s community "small city category" primarily because of its "many walking trails and outdoor activities".<ref>Hedrick, Tess (April 2, 2012) [http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=737332 Fairfield chosen as a Blue Zone finalist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811083659/http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=737332 |date=August 11, 2014 }}, ''Heartland Connection''. Retrieved April 27, 2012</ref> In 2015, Fairfield was named a certified Blue Zones Community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wellmark.com/AboutWellmark/Newsroom/Releases/20150415BlueZones.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422202945/http://www.wellmark.com/AboutWellmark/Newsroom/Releases/20150415BlueZones.aspx |archive-date=April 22, 2015|url-status=dead|title=Newsroom – Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield|website=wellmark.com|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>

== Government ==
[[File:Jefferson County, Iowa Courthouse.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Jefferson County Courthouse (Iowa)|Jefferson County Courthouse]] in Fairfield]]

Fairfield is governed by a seven-member [[city council]] headed by a mayor. The current mayor, Connie Boyer, was elected in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/122/Mayor |title=In this farm town, gurus transcend party politics |work=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> City council members serve staggered four-year terms. The council consists of one representative from each of the city's five wards, plus two at-large representatives. As of 2024, city council members are Elizabeth Estey (at large), Doug Flournoy (at large), Terri Kness (Ward 1), Paul Gandy (Ward 2), Judy Ham (Ward 3), Matthew Rowe (Ward 4), and Tom Twohill (Ward 5).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/index.aspx?nid=114|title=Fairfield, IA – Official Website – City Council|website=cityoffairfieldiowa.com|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> Fairfield's city administrator is Doug Reinert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/index.aspx?nid=113|title=Fairfield, IA – Official Website – City Administrator|website=cityoffairfieldiowa.com|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>

It is part of [[Iowa's_87th_House_of_Representatives_district|Iowa House of Representatives District 87]], currently represented by [[Jeff Shipley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Iowa_House_of_Representatives_District_87|title=Iowa House of Representatives District 87 - Ballotpedia|website=ballotpedia.org|access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

=== Sustainability ===
Fairfield's grassroots efforts to create a [[sustainable community]] that focuses on reducing energy and protecting resources have been supported by a position created by [[Iowa State University]] extension services and the City of Fairfield.<ref>[http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/utility/showArticle/?objectID=1143 Community Sustainability Coordinator, FF City web site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625214634/http://cityoffairfieldiowa.com/utility/showArticle/?objectID=1143 |date=June 25, 2009}}</ref>

Former Mayor Malloy described the city's agenda for sustainability as aggressive, and includes a Green Strategic Plan covering everything from conservation, local farms, local food, alternative transportation, and bike paths and trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid%3DC548C911-5056-B82A-37C413BA07CCEF9B |access-date=May 15, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2009 the city qualified for an $80,000 grant from the state Office of Energy Independence as funding for a sustainability plan scheduled to be completed in 2020.<ref>Smith, William [http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/beach-boys-081509 Even Concerts are Going Green]. ''[[The Hawk Eye]]'', August 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-22.</ref><ref name="GreenBay">Green Bay Press Gazette, Unique Experiences Abound in Iowa, August 28, 2010, [http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100828/GPG04/8280423/Unique-experiences-abound-in-Iowa-community-with-extreme-meditation-focus]{{dead link|date=November 2022|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The city was one of 21 locations to receive the state Governor's Environmental Excellence Award in 2013 after it reduced its energy consumption by more than 8% in one year.<ref name="Midwest Energy">{{cite web |url=http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2013/05/31/in-fairfield-iowa-a-community-effort-reaps-big-energy-savings/ |title=In Fairfield, Iowa, a community effort reaps big energy savings |publisher=Midwest Energy News |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2013 |author=Uhlenhuth, Karen |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628135200/http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2013/05/31/in-fairfield-iowa-a-community-effort-reaps-big-energy-savings/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2013, Fairfield had installed $60,000 worth of solar panels on its public library building and through state and local funding the city had created a $4&nbsp;million "energy-efficiency loan fund."<ref name="Midwest Energy" />

== Education ==
The [[Fairfield Community School District (Iowa)|Fairfield Community School District]] is home to nearly 2,500 students, teachers, administrators and staff, with two elementary schools (Pence Elementary and Washington Elementary), a middle school, and a 3A high school. The high school has approximately 630 students and 75 staff members. The current high school building was built in 1939 on {{convert|23.2|acre|ha}}. The total cost of the construction was approximately $550,000. In 1984, an addition to the school provided a commons area, new library, new kitchen, a counseling office, and an expansion of the gymnasium. In the 2001–2002 school year, the district added a new transportation building.<ref name="FEDA">{{cite web|url=http://www.growfairfield.com/pdf/2009_FEDA_Community_Quick_Reference.pdf|title=Fairfield, Iowa Community Quick Reference|publisher=Fairfield Economic Development Association|date=July 2009|access-date=January 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821102244/http://www.growfairfield.com/pdf/2009_FEDA_Community_Quick_Reference.pdf|archive-date=August 21, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2010, Lincoln Elementary school was closed due to budget cuts. Also, all fifth grade classes were moved to the Fairfield Middle School.<ref>Wilson, Jeff, "LINCOLN last day of school," Fairfield Daily Ledger, June 14, 2010</ref> The Fairfield school board voted to use the building for Fairfield High School's alternative school in 2010–11.<ref>{{cite news |author=Vicki Tillis |title=Opportunity Center relocating to Lincoln school building |work=Fairfield Daily Ledger |date=May 11, 2010}}</ref> Fairfield was also home to Fairfield Christian School for a number of years.<ref name="FEDA"/><ref name="PSRFCS">{{cite web|url= http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/10644|title= Fairfield Christian School|publisher= Private School Review|access-date= January 29, 2011|archive-date= July 15, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110715113440/http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/10644|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="LSDFairfield">{{cite web|url=http://www.localschooldirectory.com/city-schools/Fairfield/IA|title=Fairfield schools|publisher=Local School Directory|access-date=January 5, 2011}}</ref>

Fairfield also has two private schools, [[Maharishi School (US)]] and Singing Cedars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.singingcedars.com/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.singingcedars.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The city is home to [[Maharishi International University]] (MIU) (formerly Maharishi University of Management [MUM]), a private university that moved to Fairfield in 1974 after purchasing the former campus of [[Parsons College]].<ref name="EBeb"/><ref name="NPR"/> Following a national conference held in 1979, about 800 people moved to Fairfield at the urging of MIU's founder.<ref name="ReferenceA">Iowan Magazine, Our Town, Laura Bogumil, March/April 2006</ref>

==Media==
;<big>Radio</big>
Fairfield has several radio stations, including [[KHOE]] 90.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], [[KKFD-FM]] 95.9, and [[KMCD]] 1570 [[AM broadcasting|AM]].
;<big>Television</big>
Fairfield's local television station is called FPAC (Fairfield Public Access).
;<big>Newspaper</big>
Fairfield's local newspaper is called the ''Southeast Iowa Union'', which serves Fairfield, Washington, and Mt. Pleasant. In 2024, the Union shifted from five-times-a-week morning newspaper to two times a week (Tuesday and Thursday).

== Infrastructure ==
=== Transportation ===
The nearest large commercial airport with jet service is the [[Eastern Iowa Airport]] in [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]], approximately {{convert|90|mi|km}} to the north. The [[Southeast Iowa Regional Airport]] near [[Burlington, Iowa]], approximately {{convert|50|mi|km}} to the east offers limited commercial airline service on turboprop aircraft to [[St. Louis]] and Chicago. Fairfield has a small airport north of the city, which was built in 1967 and renovated in 2006. The [[Fairfield Municipal Airport (Iowa)|Fairfield Municipal Airport]] is a general use, public airport. It offers {{convert|5550|ft|m}} of concrete runway.<ref name="FEDA"/> Bus service to Fairfield is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]] affiliates [[Jefferson Lines]] and [[Burlington Trailways]].

Amtrak carries passengers west–east on the [[California Zephyr]], with passenger stations in [[Mount Pleasant, Iowa|Mount Pleasant]], (25 miles to the east) and [[Ottumwa, Iowa|Ottumwa]] (20 miles to the west). Rail service is by [[Burlington Northern Santa Fe]] (BNSF) railway. Locomotives no longer sound their horns within city limits after the city established a railroad Quiet Zone in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L05204|title=Quiet Zone Locations by City and State – Federal Railroad Administration|website=fra.dot.gov|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>

The [[Rock Island Line]] also passed through Fairfield, but closed in the late 1970s. The old steel trestle has been removed from its crossing, and the walking trail that circumnavigates the city uses part of the old roadbed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeffersoncountytrails.org/|title=Home Page-Trails in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa|website=jeffersoncountytrails.org|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>

Evidence of other long-forgotten rail lines can be found in the woods around the city. A section of narrow gauge roadbed can be found cutting its way through Whitham Woods, a park on Fairfield's western edge.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120906104448/http://www.jeffersoncountyconservation.com/whitham.html Whitham Woods] Jefferson County Conservation web site</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{See also|Maharishi_International_University#Notable_alumni_and_faculty|l1=List of Maharishi International University notable people|Parsons_College#Notable_alumni|l2=List of Parsons College notable people}}
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*[[Richard Beymer]], actor, resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite news|title='Hannibal' Ulliel made his mark in French films|work=Chattanooga Times Free Press|date=March 3, 2009|page=E.5}}</ref><ref name=Source>{{cite news|last=Moore|first=James|title=Richard Beymer's Tribute to Maharishi – "The Passing of a Saint" Mixes Reverence and Realism|url=http://www.iowasource.com/movies/2010_03_maharishi.html|access-date=March 13, 2013|newspaper=The Iowa Source|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314201440/http://www.iowasource.com/movies/2010_03_maharishi.html|archive-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Buddy Biancalana]], former [[Major League Baseball]] player, resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfieldvoice.com/2010/01/25/fairfield-story-buddy-biancalana |title=Fairfield Stories: Buddy Biancalana |publisher=Fairfield Iowa News and Opinion |last=Cohen |first=Mark N. |date=January 25, 2010 |access-date=July 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230141251/http://www.fairfieldvoice.com/2010/01/25/fairfield-story-buddy-biancalana/ |archive-date=December 30, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15493375 | title=When Buddy Went Big: It Has Been 25 Years Since Redwood High's Biancalana Helped the Royals Win World Series and Letterman Get Laughs | newspaper=Mercury News | date=July 11, 2010 | access-date=July 24, 2013 | author=Curtis, Dave}}</ref>
*[[Greg Brown (folk musician)|Greg Brown]], folk musician, born in Fairfield<ref>[http://www.mosthatedmanontheweb.com/ Brown's]{{clarify|date=November 2011}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231737/http://www.mosthatedmanontheweb.com/ |date=April 25, 2012 }} web site</ref><ref name=Reader/>
*[[Fannie Brown Patrick]], musician and civic leader 
*[[Ben Carter (actor)|Ben Carter]], [[American actor]], born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0141479/bio|title=Ben Carter|publisher=IMDb|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Flavia Colgan]], political contributor on [[MSNBC]], attended Maharishi High School while her father Kevin Colgan served as Principal.
*[[Joe Crail]], former member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] for California, born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url= http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000864 |title=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|publisher=CRAIL, Joe|access-date=December 7, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Walter Day]], founder of [[Twin Galaxies]], resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite news|title=Documentary's Got So Much Game, You'll Care|first=Bob |last=Fischbach|work=Omaha World-Herald|date=September 14, 2007|page=E.4}}</ref>
*[[Dave Despain]], sportscaster, born in Fairfield<ref name="HUFF 69">{{cite news|title=Bingo Pays Dividend|first=Richard |last=Huff|work=Daily News|location=New York|date=January 18, 1998|page=69}}</ref>
*[[Djemba Djemba]], multi-platinum record producer, raised in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freqmagazine.com/djemba-djemba/ |title=Djemba Djemba:EXPRESSING HIMSELF
 |access-date=November 24, 2018 |author=Jonathan Crane |date=December 4, 2012
 }}</ref>
*[[Ben Foster (actor)|Ben Foster]], actor, raised in Fairfield
*[[Jon Foster]], actor, former resident of Fairfield<ref name="HUFF 69"/>
*[[John Hagelin]], [[quantum physicist]], three-time United States Presidential candidate, resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite news|title=Buchanan Must Fight for Spot on Ballot|work=Florida Times Union|location=Jacksonville|date= September 26, 2000|page=B.1}}</ref>
*[[Milo Hamilton]], baseball announcer, born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiohof.org/sportscasters/milohamilton.html |title=Sportcasters: Milo Hamilton |publisher=Radio Hall of Fame |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124190709/http://www.radiohof.org/sportscasters/milohamilton.html |archive-date=January 24, 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Harry Harlow]], [[psychologist]], born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fairfieldiowahistory.com/harry-harlow-famed-psychologist-fairfield-ia/ | title=Harry Harlow, Famed Psychologist, Fairfield, Iowa | publisher=Fairfield Iowa History | date=April 27, 2011 | access-date=July 24, 2013 | author=Unknown | archive-date=February 7, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207222844/http://fairfieldiowahistory.com/harry-harlow-famed-psychologist-fairfield-ia/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> 
*[[Bernhart Henn]], [[United States Congress|U.S. Congressman]], early resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000500 | title=Henn, Bernhart | publisher=Bio Guide US Congress | access-date=July 24, 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Claire Hoffman]], journalist, attended school in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brianmpalmer.com/clairehoffman.html |title=Interview of Claire Hoffman |publisher=Brian Palmer |date=November 2008 |access-date=December 6, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120213915/http://brianmpalmer.com/clairehoffman.html |archive-date=November 20, 2010 }}</ref>
*[[Michigan Jake]], bass singer, Greg Hollander born in Fairfield. World Champion, [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]] 2001
*[[John Jackson (sport shooter)|John Jackson]], gold and bronze medal winner at the [[1912 Summer Olympics]], resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ja/john-jackson-1.html|title=John Jackson|publisher=Sports-Reference/Olympic sports|access-date=March 20, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919175702/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ja/john-jackson-1.html|archive-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Rebecca J. Keck]], 19th century female physician and patent medicine entrepreneur, born in Fairfield {{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
*[[Orpha Klinker]], artist known for her [[plein air]] paintings landscapes<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.annexgalleries.com/artists/biography/1258/Klinker/Orpha|title=Orpha Klinker Biography – Annex Galleries Fine Prints|website=annexgalleries.com|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Hugh J. Knerr]], [[Major general (United States)|major general]] in the [[United States Air Force]], born in Farifield<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6083 |title=Major General Hugh J. Knerr |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date=January 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722025346/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6083 |archive-date=July 22, 2012 }}</ref>
*[[Bob Krause (politician)|Bob Krause]], Iowa, state representative, resident of Fairfield<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/04/22/candidate-profile-democrat-bob-krause-wants-to-take-work-experience-to-d-c/article | title=Candidate Profile: Democrat Bob Krause Wants to Take Work Experience to D.C. | newspaper=Des Moines Register | date=April 22, 2010 | access-date=July 24, 2013 | author=Schulte, Grant | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130724221202/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/04/22/candidate-profile-democrat-bob-krause-wants-to-take-work-experience-to-d-c/article | archive-date=July 24, 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Richard L. Lawson]], four-star general, born in Fairfield<ref name="Biography">{{cite web|title=General Richard L. Lawson |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6160 |publisher=[[United States Air Force]] |access-date=December 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212035134/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6160 |archive-date=December 12, 2012 }}</ref>
*[[Pamela Levy]], painter, born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/peeling-back-pamela-levy-s-anti-heroes-1.5196437|title=Peeling back the layers|newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=January 13, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Eli Lieb]], [[independent music|independent]] singer-songwriter, originally from Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elilieb.com/about/|title=ABOUT – Eli Lieb|website=elilieb.com|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Moses A. McCoid]], U.S. Representative from Iowa, studied law in Fairfield<ref name=gue>Benjamin F.  Gue, "[[s:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Moses A. McCoid|History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century, Vol. 4 (Moses A. McCoid)]]" pp. 174 (1902).</ref>
*[[David Rosenboom]], composer, born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.emusic.com/artist/david-rosenboom/11562423/ | title=David Rosenboom Biography | publisher=E Music | access-date=July 30, 2013 }}</ref>
*[[Mary Ruthsdotter]], feminist activist, born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite news|title=Sebastopol Activist Dies at 65|first=Derek |last=Moore|work=The Press Democrat|location=Santa Rosa, Calif.|date=January 12, 2010|page=B.1}}</ref>
*[[Chad Setterstrom]], former [[National Football League]] player, resident of Fairfield
*[[Max Steinberg]], professional poker player, born in Fairfield<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/max-steinberg/|title=Max Steinberg – Poker Players – PokerNews|website=pokernews.com|access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Matt Stutzman]], gold medal winner in archery at the [[2024 Summer Paralympics]], silver medal winner in archery at the [[2012 Summer Paralympics]], and holder of the world record for the longest, most accurate shot in archery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicagosep.com/wordpress/stutzman/?page_id=10|title=Biography – Matt Stutzman|website=chicagosep.com|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311012240/http://chicagosep.com/wordpress/stutzman/?page_id=10|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Nick Webster]], former British professional soccer player for Wyre Villa, resides in Fairfield
*[[Hays B. White]], Kansas, state politician and lawmaker, born near Fairfield<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000374|title=Whte, Hays Baxter|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=March 20, 2011}}</ref>
*[[James F. Wilson]], former [[United States Senator]], resided in Fairfield<ref name=obit>"[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1895/04/24/102455902.pdf Death of the Slave's Friend]", ''The New York Times'', April 24, 1895, at p. 16.</ref>
*[[Mehitable E. Woods]] (1813–1891), hero of the American Civil War

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fairfield, Iowa}}
{{Portal|Iowa}}
* [http://www.cityoffairfieldiowa.com/ City of Fairfield]
* [http://www.fairfieldiowa.com Fairfield Chamber of Commerce]

{{Jefferson County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Fairfield, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Iowa]]
[[Category:County seats in Iowa]]
[[Category:Transcendental Meditation]]
[[Category:Underground Railroad in Iowa]]
[[Category:1839 establishments in Iowa Territory]]