City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Fairfax, SC

Fairfax's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

2,037
Residents
$41,328
Median income
$54,400
Median home
$1,155
Median rent (state)
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Starting with Fairfax, SC - add up to three more cities on the compare page.

See how it ranks

State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Fairfax.

Place dossier plate

Sheet SC-FAIRFAX-SC · Fairfax, SC 2,037 pop · income 9th pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-LOW · COL-BELOW · SAFE-UNK · RANK-BOTTOM · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-LOW · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 2,037
  • INC-LOW $41,328
  • COL-BELOW 93.7
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-BOTTOM 9th
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Raoul
  • HOME-LOW $54,400
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Raoul, GA (+ $0 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Fairfax

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Fairfax on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Fairfax on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 2,037.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $41,328. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Fairfax - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Fairfax places in the 9th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

9th
percentile, household income
1st
percentile, home value
46th
percentile, median rent
📝 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, SC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,037 residents in Fairfax, a small town within South Carolina. The typical household in Fairfax brings in $41,328 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.5%. Typical homes in Fairfax are valued around $54,400, and the median resident age is 43.3 years. Educational attainment runs 8.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,155 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $224 across South Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 70.7 out of 100 (High).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Fairfax's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from comparison shortlist to schools and households to housing and income to work and mobility to population change; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Fairfax, city-specific coverage includes annual population history, local building permits, commute-mode shares, matched public-school count. No matched row is reported here for within-city Census tract profiles, FBI reported-crime rates; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

Question 1

Which cities make useful reference points for Fairfax?

Within South Carolina, the closest population matches are Cowpens (2,031 residents, $37,168 income); Gaston (2,026 residents, $59,500 income); Arial (2,024 residents, $50,132 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Charlestown, MD (2,037 residents); Brownlee Park, MI (2,037 residents); Bellville, OH (2,037 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

Question 2

What does the education layer cover for Fairfax?

The NCES join finds 4 public schools within the city match. 8.5% of adults age 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher in the ACS estimate. These measures answer different questions: the school count describes local institutions, while adult attainment describes residents and cannot be used as a school-quality rating.

The city has a broader matched school footprint, but count alone does not describe performance, capacity, program availability, or attendance boundaries. This profile deliberately avoids converting it into an unsupported family-friendliness score.

See how the family ranking is built →

Question 3

How far does income reach against housing in Fairfax?

The home-value-to-income reference is relatively compact: the ACS median home value is 1.3 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 15.5%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. The ratio makes housing the clearest place to start this profile, but a low multiple can coexist with slow demand, older stock, or household-level hardship. Compare the home-value distribution and same-state peer table before treating it as an advantage.

Compare the housing trade-off →

4. Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in Fairfax?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. No single mode completely explains the work trip here. The mix is more useful than a one-number commute grade, especially when comparing places where transit, walking, and remote work divide the non-driving share differently.

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 84.2%. A reliable mean commute time is not available for this row, so the mode shares carry the comparison.

Compare commute patterns →

Other supported questions

Why these stay compact

These joined records add useful context, but they do not need another full-size panel. Each remains a separate measure with its own geography and source boundary.

Population change

Is Fairfax growing, shrinking, or holding steady?

Recent estimates point downward. A falling count can reflect migration, household size, annexation boundaries, or estimation noise, so it is a prompt to inspect the full series rather than a claim about local economic health.

Census PEP estimates show the population declined by -133 residents from 2020 to 2025, a -9.0% change. Separately, Census BPS recorded 4 housing units authorized in 2024. PEP and ACS are different Census series, so the trend is kept separate from the headline ACS population.

Period change
-9.0%
2025 estimate
1,352
2020 estimate
1,485

Census Population Estimates Program, 2020–2025; permit context uses Census BPS.

See the national growth ranking →

Population

2,037 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$41,328 /yr

Lowest-decile income · poverty 15.5% (High poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Near national cost · BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

City profile score · Fairfax, SC

26/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Cost of living B
93.7 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Poverty rate F
15.5%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Household income F
$41,328

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Bachelor's+ share F
8.5%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Fairfax profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Cost of living, Poverty rate, Household income, Bachelor's+ share. Cost of livingPoverty rateHousehold incomeBachelor's+ share 26 F
Fairfax profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Cost of living: 70/100 (B) · 93.7 index
  • Poverty rate: 22/100 (F) · 15.5%
  • Household income: 9/100 (F) · $41,328
  • Bachelor's+ share: 2/100 (F) · 8.5%

How does Fairfax compare to other US cities?

Here's how Fairfax stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 1% pricier than other cities
Median rent 46% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

South Carolina-relative analysis

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

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Fairfax ranks #1 - 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
#283 of 403
30th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 441
0th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#391 of 404
3rd percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#194 of 439
56th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#371 of 441
15th percentile in South Carolina
How in-state ranks are ordered

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

9thIncome percentile
Gauge source note

9th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Fairfax's home value compares nationally

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

$54,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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

Fairfax's home-value-to-income ratio: 1.3×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
affordable
< 3.0×
National rank
#189 of 15,516
More affordable than 99% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#185 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 1.3×, Fairfax sits in the affordable band: national rank #189 of 15,516 and #185 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). The multiple is comparatively compact among tracked cities, but a low ratio can still coexist with slow demand or household-level hardship.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$41,328 Fairfax, SC median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Fairfax, SC Fairfax, SC's median household income ($41,328) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Fairfax, SC-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Fairfax, SC median $41,328/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, SC median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Fairfax, SC.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.6%

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

Population
2,037
Median Income
$41,328
Median Home Value
$54,400
Median Age
43.3
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor force participation
47.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.5%

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

PEP vintage

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,300 residents1,350 residents1,400 residents1,450 residents1,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,485 residents 1,352 residents ▼ -9.0%
Fairfax's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.
Read the chart as text
Period Population
2020 1,485 residents
2021 1,457 residents
2022 1,397 residents
2023 1,398 residents
2024 1,384 residents
2025 1,352 residents

Housing Supply

BPS source

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 4

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.2%
Carpool
13.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
1.0%
Other
1.0%

Based on 838 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

South Carolina statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $224

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across South Carolina at $224 (electricity about $130 , water and sewer about $42 ).

These are South Carolina statewide averages, not a meter reading for Fairfax. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

South Carolina's BEA cost-of-living index is 93.7 (Below Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Fairfax is $1,155/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to South Carolina statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 70.7 / 100 (High).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a South Carolina statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Fairfax sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Fairfax compares to similar-size South Carolina cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Fairfax (this city) 2,037 $41,328
Cowpens 2,031 $37,168
Gaston 2,026 $59,500
Arial 2,024 $50,132
NCES CCD Census BPS 2024
Primary sources on this page

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

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

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

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.

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