City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Fairfield, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Fairfield - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

119,985
Residents
$102,321
Median income
$592,500
Median home
$2,178
Median rent (state)

Fairfield - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fairfield lands in the 79th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

79th
percentile, household income
89th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
28th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Fairfield, CA

California's Fairfield is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 119,985 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Fairfield households earn a median of $102,321 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 7.8%. Fairfield's housing stock carries a median value of $592,500, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. Educational attainment runs 26.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 286 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 18% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2183.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Fairfield's yearly average temperature at 61.7°F with 24.5 inches of precipitation per year.

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,178 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). The average commute for Fairfield workers runs 27.8 minutes, with 72.9% driving alone and 10.5% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

119,985 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$102,321 /yr

Poverty 7.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Fairfield compare to other US cities?

Fairfield measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 79% higher than other cities
Home value 89% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Fairfield ranks #273 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Fairfield against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of California's city distribution

Among the 1,343 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Fairfield ranks #589 - the 56th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fairfield only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#482 of 1,338
64th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#777 of 1,458
46th percentile in California
Median Home Value
#589 of 1,343
56th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#624 of 1,450
56th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#701 of 1,458
52nd percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

79thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

79th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fairfield's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fairfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Fairfield's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Fairfield's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$592,500 11th percentile more affordable than 11% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Fairfield $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Fairfield, CA Fairfield, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fairfield, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Fairfield, CA median $102,321/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Fairfield, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Fairfield, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
119,985
Median Income
$102,321
Median Home Value
$592,500
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Labor force participation
58.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2183.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
498.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1685.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
24.5"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
34
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
119,000 residents120,000 residents121,000 residents122,000 residents123,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 119,890 residents 122,489 residents ▲ +2.2%
Fairfield's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
286
housing units authorized
Single-Family
214
detached homes
Multifamily
72
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 348
2020 861
2021 365
2022 298
2023 510
2024 286

Permit volume decreased 18% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.8 minutes
Drive Alone
72.9%
Carpool
11.9%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
10.5%
Other
1.6%

Based on 55,553 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Fairfield sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,178/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Berkeley
120,223 people
Clovis
122,719 people
Antioch
115,759 people
Concord
124,260 people
Richmond
115,396 people
Vallejo
124,637 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairfield's 119,985 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hartford, CT
119,970 people
West Palm Beach, FL
119,508 people
Spring Hill, FL
118,814 people
Ann Arbor, MI
121,179 people
Wilmington, NC
118,578 people
Lafayette, LA
121,537 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairfield's $102,321 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Noblesville, IN
$102,319 median income
Napili-Honokowai, HI
$102,337 median income
Lenexa, KS
$102,344 median income
Merrimac, WI
$102,344 median income
Womens Bay, AK
$102,292 median income
Kure Beach, NC
$102,292 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fairfield, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Fairfield, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 36.0% 15.3% 17.4% 13.8% 15.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.8% White 36.0% Black or African American 15.3% Asian 17.4% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 1.4% Some other race 13.8% Two or more races 15.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Fairfield compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Fairfield (this city) 119,985 $102,321
Berkeley 120,223 $108,558
Clovis 122,719 $100,360
Antioch 115,759 $94,256
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fairfield, CA?

What is the population of Fairfield, CA? +

Fairfield, CA has a population of 119,985 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fairfield, CA? +

In Fairfield, the typical household earns $102,321 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fairfield? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fairfield; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Fairfield, CA safe? +

Fairfield has a total crime rate of 2183.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Fairfield, CA? +

Fairfield's median home value sits at $592,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Fairfield? +

Climate normals put Fairfield's yearly average temperature at 61.7°F, 24.5 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.