City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Fairfax, SD

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.

143
Residents
$66,875
Median income
$62,000
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Fairfax - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fairfax lands in the 46th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

46th
percentile, household income
1st
percentile, home value
8th
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, SD

South Dakota's Fairfax is a small town, with 143 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Fairfax brings in $66,875 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 20.0%. Fairfax's housing stock carries a median value of $62,000, and the median resident age is 32.4 years. 14.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 84.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Dakota at 88.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $929 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 48.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

143 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$66,875 /yr

Poverty 20.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota 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 46% higher than other cities
Home value 1% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% 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 Dakota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Dakota-relative analysis

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

Among the 303 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Fairfax ranks #145 - 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
#111 of 285
61st percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 303
0th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#232 of 263
12th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#54 of 302
82nd percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#214 of 303
29th percentile in South Dakota

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

46thIncome percentile

46th 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+)

$62,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 99% 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%). 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

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Fairfax, SD Fairfax, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fairfax, SD-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, SD median $66,875/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, SD'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, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 84.0%

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

Population
143
Median Income
$66,875
Median Home Value
$62,000
Median Age
32.4
Poverty Rate
20.0%
Labor force participation
84.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.3%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
96 residents97 residents98 residents99 residents100 residents101 residents 202020212022202320242025 97 residents 100 residents ▲ +3.1%
Fairfax's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.6%
Carpool
14.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
10.7%
Other
1.2%

Based on 84 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$929/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
48.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Frankfort
142 people
Mellette
144 people
Geddes
141 people
St. Lawrence
145 people
Buffalo Gap
140 people
Canova
140 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairfax's 143 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kino Springs, AZ
143 people
Bridgewater, CT
143 people
Leonore, IL
143 people
Springport, IN
143 people
Waterville, IA
143 people
Long Island, KS
143 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fairfax's $66,875 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hodges, AL
$66,875 median income
New Site, AL
$66,875 median income
Aniak, AK
$66,875 median income
Ellendale, DE
$66,875 median income
Owaneco, IL
$66,875 median income
Hartsville, IN
$66,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fairfax, SD 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, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 98.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 98.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.0% 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 South Dakota 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) 143 $66,875
Frankfort 142 $61,875
Mellette 144 $104,375
Geddes 141 $61,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fairfax, SD?

What is the population of Fairfax, SD? +

Fairfax, SD has a population of 143 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Fairfax runs $66,875, 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 South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Fairfax, SD? +

Homes in Fairfax carry a median value of $62,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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