Fairfax, SC

South Carolina

Fairfax is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 2,037. Residents earn $41,328 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
2,037 Population 615/sq mi density
$41,328 Median Income $24,462 per capita
$54,400 Home Value $86,832 Zillow
$702 Median Rent
67°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$41,328 median income, 4.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$54,400 home value, $702/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,328
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $54,400
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.5%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $702
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.1%
44% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.9%
36% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.5%
25% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,037
Median Age43.3 yrs
Density615/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 18%

Economy

C+
Median Income$41,328
Per Capita$24,462
Unemployment4.9%
Poverty15.5%
County GDP$398M
Commute46 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$54,400
Rent$702
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$86,832

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity46.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.3%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.3 in/yr
Elevation135 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.5%
High School+81.1%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 27% / D 72%
Commute46 min
Libraries2

Is Fairfax a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fairfax receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times, high obesity rates. Fairfax offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fairfax is $41,328, 45% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 46 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fairfax is $54,400, 81% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $702 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Fairfax enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fairfax has a population of 2,037 with a density of 615 people per square mile. The median age is 43.3 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (71.9%), with 18.4% White, 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

2,037
Total Population
615
People / sq mi
43.3yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Fairfax vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fairfax vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fairfax is $41,328, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 46 minutes.

Income: Fairfax vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,328
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,462
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$38,242

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.9%
36% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.5%
25% above US avg
Establishments (County)178
County GDP$398M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare13
Retail28
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,450
30% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time45.7 min
Work from Home1.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Fairfax is $54,400, 81% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $702 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $86,832.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$54,400
81% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$86,832

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$702
40% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,450
30% below US avg
Effective Rate4.50%
In Fairfax, 46.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.3% report depression. 35.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fairfax vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.1%
44% above US avg
Diabetes16.9%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure43.7%
Asthma11.6%
COPD8.0%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.7%
Physical Inactivity35.9%
Depression20.3%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.7%
Checkup Rate81.1%
Premature Death16,836/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access55.1%
Healthcare Facilities13

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Fairfax has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

51°F Jan (10°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average66.9°F
24% above US avg
January Average51°F (10°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.3 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation135 ft (41 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.6 km²)
Population Density615/sq mi
Coordinates32.9594°N, 81.2362°W
County FIPS45005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 8.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 44.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 26.9%
D 71.6%

Winner: Democrat by 44.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.5%
75% below US avg
High School+81.1%
School Test Score4.51
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density615/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants12
Retail Stores28

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute45.7 min
Work from Home1.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Fairfax with another city: