City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Fairmont, MN

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

10,348
Residents
$59,228
Median income
$168,800
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Fairmont - the verdict

Nationally, Fairmont sits in the 34th percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
40th
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: Fairmont, MN

Fairmont is a small town in Minnesota, home to 10,348 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Fairmont brings in $59,228 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.5%. Typical homes in Fairmont are valued around $168,800, and the median resident age is 46.5 years. About 26.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 7 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 133% from five years earlier. Fairmont reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1690.8 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). NOAA puts Fairmont's yearly average temperature at 46.1°F with 33.5 inches of precipitation per year.

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $973 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Minnesota run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Fairmont workers runs 14.1 minutes, with 82.0% driving alone and 7.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 45.5 out of 100 (Low).

Population

10,348 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$59,228 /yr

Poverty 5.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Fairmont compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 40% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Minnesota, Fairmont ranks #171 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Fairmont 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 Fairmont near the bottom of Minnesota's cities

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

Median Household Income
#537 of 775
31st percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#531 of 785
0th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#402 of 774
48th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#387 of 785
50th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#265 of 784
66th 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.

34thIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 40th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fairmont's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fairmont'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 51 Avg. percentile National median
Fairmont'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 Fairmont's home value compares nationally

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

$168,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Fairmont $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 - Fairmont, MN Fairmont, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, MN median $59,228/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%
Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.0%

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

Population
10,348
Median Income
$59,228
Median Home Value
$168,800
Median Age
46.5
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor force participation
61.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1690.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
294.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1395.9
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
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
33.5"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
10,000 residents10,200 residents10,400 residents10,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,444 residents 10,099 residents ▼ -3.3%
Fairmont's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 4
2021 5
2022 4
2023 0
2024 7

Permit volume increased 133% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.1 minutes
Drive Alone
82.0%
Carpool
5.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.6%
Work from Home
7.0%
Other
2.3%

Based on 5,018 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 Fairmont 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
45.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Hermantown
10,192 people
Little Canada
10,546 people
Detroit Lakes
10,002 people
Cambridge
9,992 people
Arden Hills
9,737 people
Victoria
10,972 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairmont's 10,348 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Tipp City, OH
10,344 people
Galion, OH
10,358 people
Farmersville, CA
10,336 people
Shasta Lake, CA
10,334 people
New Richmond, WI
10,334 people
Fort Oglethorpe, GA
10,332 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairmont's $59,228 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Yakima, WA
$59,228 median income
Cusseta-Chattahoochee County unified government, GA
$59,221 median income
Arp, TX
$59,219 median income
Parma Heights, OH
$59,218 median income
Millers Creek, NC
$59,239 median income
Tamarac, FL
$59,216 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.1% White 92.3% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 3.5% 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 Fairmont 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
Fairmont (this city) 10,348 $59,228
Hermantown 10,192 $92,026
Little Canada 10,546 $71,370
Detroit Lakes 10,002 $62,123
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fairmont, MN?

What is the population of Fairmont, MN? +

10,348 people live in Fairmont, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Fairmont runs $59,228, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fairmont? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fairmont; 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 Fairmont, MN safe? +

Fairmont has a total crime rate of 1690.8 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 Fairmont, MN? +

The median home value in Fairmont is $168,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Fairmont? +

Fairmont has an average annual temperature of 46.1°F, 33.5 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.