You'd never expect a town like this in Iowa.
With a population that hovers around 10,000, you would not expect much. But Fairfield has been named one of America's best small towns by Smithsonian, "the coolest small town in America" by BuzzFeed, and "the most unusual town in America" by Oprah. Home to people from more than 60 nationalities and recognized in 2025 as one of the world's Top 7 Intelligent Communities, it's cultured, safe, and quietly, surprisingly alive. It doesn't demand to be heard. It just keeps overdelivering.
A Surprising Amount of Culture
The arts run deep here. The Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts brings national touring companies, music, dance, and comedy to a state-of-the-art stage. Hundreds of working artists and musicians live in town, galleries fill the historic buildings around the square, and everyone turns out for First Fridays art walks. And that's just what makes the calendar. There's always something going on — a small music venue, an art opening, a workshop, a gathering — much of it tucked away like a hidden gem. The trick is hearing about it; the easy part is getting connected, because people here are remarkably welcoming. The hard part is deciding what to do next.
Room to Breathe
Just past the town square, the open country begins. 33 miles of trails wind through prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and a state preserve, connecting parks and lakes. It's a place where a young person can hike, bike, think, and get outside — space that's hard to find on a crowded coast.
Safe, Walkable, Grounded
At its heart is a classic, walkable town square: bistros and coffee shops, small businesses, and neighbors who know each other. It's safe, unhurried, and welcoming — a global town with small-town warmth. For a student, that's not boring. It's the freedom to focus, and the room to become who they are.
The Town Your Child Lives In
For families sending a student from across the country or the world, this matters: your child grows up in a safe, diverse, culturally rich place, surrounded by people who look out for each other. Come see it — the town is part of the education.