County · South Carolina
Fairfield County, South Carolina
Fairfield County, South Carolina. Fairfield County had 20,340 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 45039.
Fairfield County is one of the 6 counties of the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,340
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,948 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,550
Median household income
$47,885
±$4,289 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$151,200
±$19,395 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$938
±$61 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Fairfield County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,948 residents in Fairfield County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,340 for July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,550 over 686 square miles of land.
| Measure | Fairfield County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,550 | 5,296,225 | −2,015 |
| Households | 8,930±330 | 2,117,989 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.08 | 2.44 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 11,003±20 | 2,443,039 | −887 |
Fairfield County's population since 2000
From 23,454 in 2000 to 20,340 in 2025: down 13.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Fairfield County?
Fairfield County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Winnsboro with 3,305 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Winnsboro | 3,215 | $37,434 |
|---|---|---|
| Winnsboro Mills | 1,632 | $34,708 |
| Ridgeway | 266 | $44,107 |
| Blythewood | 4,772 | $94,167 |
| JenkinsvilleGEOID 4536655 | 40 | $43,125 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fairfield County?
The median resident of Fairfield County is 47.4 years old; 18.0% are under 18 and 24.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 54.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 38.9%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fairfield County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.4±0.5 | 40.2 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 18.0%±0.3 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.0%±0.2 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% | 7.4% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 38.9%±0.5 pts | 61.9% | +0.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 54.5%±1.3 pts | 24.6% | −3.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.1%±1.9 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0%±1.6 pts | 9.6% | −3.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.1%±2.4 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.2%±2.0 pts | 32.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Fairfield County earn?
Half of Fairfield County's 8,930 households earn less than $47,885 a year (±$4,289), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $47,029 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fairfield County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,885±$4,289 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $72,061±$5,368 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,810±$2,174 | $39,236 | +$3,036 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.6%±2.8 pts | 14.1% | −5.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.8%±6.4 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.0%±3.7 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.8%±3.1 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Fairfield County?
Owners occupy 74.6% of Fairfield County's occupied homes and renters 25.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $151,200 by its owner (±$19,395). The median renter pays $938 a month including utilities, and 44.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fairfield County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $151,200±$19,395 | $259,000 | +$24,439 |
| Median gross rent | $938±$61 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.5%±10.8 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,393±$104 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.6%±3.3 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,003±20 | 2,443,039 | −887 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±3.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.8%±3.5 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 23.2%±3.0 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.7%±2.2 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Fairfield County building?
Builders took permits for 74 new housing units across Fairfield County in 2025 (74 single-family), 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fairfield County get to work?
79.8% of Fairfield County's workers drive alone and 6.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Fairfield County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.6%±2.8 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±4.1 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.0%±2.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.3%±2.3 pts | 11.5% | +3.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.0 min±2.1 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Fairfield County's census tracts?
Fairfield County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,846 (Tract 9604.01) to $68,913 (Tract 9603.01).
| Tract 960145039960100 | 1,798±398 | $49,205 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960245039960200 | 3,370±414 | $49,856 |
| Tract 9603.0145039960301 | 3,526±439 | $68,913 |
| Tract 9603.0245039960302 | 2,711±437 | $52,317 |
| Tract 9604.0145039960401 | 3,518±455 | $36,846 |
| Tract 9604.0245039960402 | 1,440±277 | $38,315 |
| Tract 9605.0145039960501 | 2,168±403 | $56,938 |
| Tract 9605.0245039960502 | 2,019±269 | $44,934 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Fairfield County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 40th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 44th of 46 |
| Median household income | 35th of 46 |
| Median home value | 32nd of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 22nd of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36th of 46 |
| Median age | 5th of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fairfield County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.