Fairfield, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Fairfield is a small city in Alabama with a population of 9,846. Residents earn $48,492 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
9,846 Population 2,846/sq mi density
$48,492 Median Income $23,897 per capita
$120,100 Home Value $90,089 Zillow
$997 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$48,492 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$120,100 home value, $997/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,492
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $120,100
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.5%
27% lower than US avg
Median Rent $997
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 47.5%
48% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.2%
95% higher than US avg

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

People

Population9,846
Median Age30.3 yrs
Density2,846/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 7%

Economy

C+
Median Income$48,492
Per Capita$23,897
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty24.2%
County GDP$65,539M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$120,100
Rent$997
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$90,089

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity47.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain55.6 in/yr
Elevation665 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.5%
High School+95.1%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 55%
Commute23 min
Libraries40

Is Fairfield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fairfield receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fairfield offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fairfield is $48,492, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 24.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fairfield is $120,100, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $997 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Fairfield enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Fairfield has a population of 9,846 with a density of 2,846 people per square mile. The median age is 30.3 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (90.6%), with 7% White.

Population

9,846
Total Population
2,846
People / sq mi
30.3yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.3%
Female 57.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Fairfield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.2%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.8%
94% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fairfield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fairfield is $48,492, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 24.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Fairfield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,492
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,897
Avg Weekly Wage$1,376
IRS Avg AGI$92,287

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate24.2%
95% above US avg
Establishments (County)22,923
County GDP$65,539M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,550
Healthcare1,895
Retail2,539
Manufacturing504

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,063
45% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.4 min
Work from Home11.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Fairfield is $120,100, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $997 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $90,089.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$120,100
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$90,089
Median List Price$74,800

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$74,800
$/Sq Ft$65
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio85.7%
Price Drops25.9%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$997
14% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,011

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$716
1 Bedroom$772
2 Bedrooms$936
3 Bedrooms$1,206
4 Bedrooms$1,381

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,063
45% above US avg
Effective Rate4.22%
In Fairfield, 47.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 37.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity47.5%
48% above US avg
Diabetes19.8%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure50.3%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.7%
Stroke5.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.4%
Physical Inactivity37.0%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.8%
Checkup Rate83.4%
Premature Death13,164/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities1,895

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)94
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Fairfield has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.0°F
19% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.6 inches
46% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation665 ft (203 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²)
Population Density2,846/sq mi
Coordinates33.4748°N, 86.9194°W
County FIPS01073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (27% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.2%
D 54.6%

Winner: Democrat by 10.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.5%
27% below US avg
High School+95.1%
School Test Score4.40
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,846/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries40
Healthcare Facilities1,895
Restaurants1,550
Retail Stores2,539

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)94
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.4 min
Work from Home11.0%

Nearby Cities

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