Fayette, with a population of 1351 (2000 census), is surrounded by scenic beauty, historical places and recreational areas which include the Volga River winding through the heart of town, Klock's Island Park and Big Rock Country Club.
The town of Fayette was platted by Samuel H. Robertson in January 1855. In May of the same year, construction began on College Hall (now Alexander - Dickman), the original building of Upper Iowa University (National Register of Historic Places). Upper Iowa is presently the fastest growing, private, co-educational liberal arts university in Iowa offering Bachelor and Master degree programs. Upper Iowa University is only one of three universities to offer a three-year bachelor degree program in the United States and the first to do so west of the Mississippi.
Fayette has a proud history since its founding. It is symbolic of the small, rural towns where tradition and culture still survive and it will continue to serve future generations as well as it has in the past. At a time when the nation's youth are facing a difficult and dangerous world to live in, Fayette remains a beacon of shelter and safety. Children can go to play grounds unescorted and feel safe in school. Parents do not have constant worry about drugs, guns and crime because Fayette retains that small-town atmosphere.