City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Fairfax, MN

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

1,134
Residents
$53,750
Median income
$99,800
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Fairfax - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fairfax lands in the 25th percentile for household income and the 89th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
9th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
89th
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: Fairfax, MN

1,134 people live in Fairfax, Minnesota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Fairfax households earn a median of $53,750 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.2%. Fairfax's housing stock carries a median value of $99,800, and the median resident age is 37.9 years. About 9.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 53.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). Fairfax reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 416.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Minnesota at 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Minnesota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 50.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

1,134 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$53,750 /yr

Poverty 11.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Fairfax compare to other US cities?

Where Fairfax sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 9% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 89% 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 Minnesota alone, Fairfax ranks #60 of 229 Minnesota 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 Fairfax against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Fairfax near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Fairfax ranks #531 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fairfax only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#615 of 775
20th percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#646 of 774
17th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#160 of 785
79th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#692 of 784
12th percentile in Minnesota

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 Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

25thIncome percentile
89thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 89th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fairfax's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fairfax'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 68 Avg. percentile National median
Fairfax'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 Fairfax's home value compares nationally

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

$99,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 91% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. Fairfax $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 - Fairfax, MN Fairfax, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fairfax, MN-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 Fairfax, MN median $53,750/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%
Fairfax, MN'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 Fairfax, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.2%

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

Population
1,134
Median Income
$53,750
Median Home Value
$99,800
Median Age
37.9
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Labor force participation
53.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
416.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
416.0
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,180 residents1,200 residents1,220 residents1,240 residents1,260 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,247 residents 1,203 residents ▼ -3.5%
Fairfax's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.6%
Carpool
13.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.7%
Work from Home
7.5%
Other
1.6%

Based on 440 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota 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 Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Fairfax sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
50.4 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Dellwood
1,145 people
Elgin
1,147 people
Cottonwood
1,120 people
Baudette
1,117 people
Lake Shore
1,117 people
Shafer
1,151 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairfax's 1,134 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Claypool, AZ
1,134 people
Baconton, GA
1,134 people
Rutledge, GA
1,134 people
Fort Thompson, SD
1,134 people
Fayetteville, AL
1,135 people
Ak-Chin, AZ
1,133 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairfax's $53,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ehrenberg, AZ
$53,750 median income
Le Grand, CA
$53,750 median income
Ellaville, GA
$53,750 median income
Clay City, IL
$53,750 median income
Cypress, IL
$53,750 median income
Loami, IL
$53,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fairfax, MN 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 Fairfax, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 72.1% 11.3% 15.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.7% White 72.1% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 11.3% Two or more races 15.4% 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 Fairfax compares to nearby Minnesota cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Fairfax (this city) 1,134 $53,750
Dellwood 1,145 $208,125
Elgin 1,147 $87,000
Cottonwood 1,120 $90,750
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fairfax, MN?

What is the population of Fairfax, MN? +

The population of Fairfax, MN stands at 1,134 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Fairfax, MN? +

The median household income in Fairfax is $53,750 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fairfax? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fairfax; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

Is Fairfax, MN safe? +

Fairfax has a total crime rate of 416.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Fairfax, MN? +

A typical home in Fairfax is worth $99,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.