Fair Play, SC

South Carolina

Fair Play is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 578. Residents earn $113,466 per year, which is 51% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
578 Population 85/sq mi density
$113,466 Median Income $45,807 per capita
$230,900 Home Value $336,757 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$113,466 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$230,900 home value
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $113,466
51% higher than US avg
Home Value $230,900
18% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.2%
23% higher than US avg

How Fair Play Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population578
Median Age51.1 yrs
Density85/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$113,466
Per Capita$45,807
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$1,270M
Commute42 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$230,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$336,757

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.0%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain49.0 in/yr
Elevation780 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+90.5%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute42 min
EV Stations1
Libraries1

Is Fair Play a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fair Play receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Fair Play stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fair Play is $113,466, which is significantly higher than the national average — 51% above $75,149. This places Fair Play among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 15.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fair Play is $230,900, 18% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Fair Play enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fair Play has a population of 578 with a density of 85 people per square mile. The median age is 51.1 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95%).

Population

578
Total Population
85
People / sq mi
51.1yrs
Median Age
31% above US avg
6.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.8%
Female 47.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Fair Play vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fair Play vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fair Play is $113,466, which is 51% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes.

Income: Fair Play vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$113,466
51% above US avg
Per Capita Income$45,807
Avg Weekly Wage$955
IRS Avg AGI$63,337

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.2%
23% above US avg
Establishments (County)597
County GDP$1,270M

Business (County)

Restaurants46
Healthcare31
Retail87
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,639
4% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time42.1 min
Work from Home13.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Fair Play is $230,900, 18% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $336,757.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$230,900
18% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$336,757
Median List Price$1,650,643

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,650,643
$/Sq Ft$208
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$928
1 Bedroom$982
2 Bedrooms$1,155
3 Bedrooms$1,450
4 Bedrooms$1,699

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied98.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,639
4% above US avg
Effective Rate1.58%
In Fair Play, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.0% report depression. 28.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fair Play vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure32.2%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity28.3%
Depression29.0%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death11,167/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access51.2%
Healthcare Facilities31

Crime Rates: Fair Play vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Fair Play has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.4°F
14% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.0 inches
29% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation780 ft (238 m)
Area6.8 sq mi (17.5 km²)
Population Density85/sq mi
Coordinates34.5081°N, 82.9868°W
County FIPS13147
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.2%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+90.5%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density85/sq mi
Total Area6.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants46
Retail Stores87

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute42.1 min
Work from Home13.7%

Nearby Cities

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