Fairmont, NC

North Carolina

Fairmont is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,326. Residents earn $36,493 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,326 Population 843/sq mi density
$36,493 Median Income $24,700 per capita
$88,500 Home Value $88,093 Zillow
$662 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
1,101 Violent Crime/100K 6,275 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$36,493 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,500 home value, $662/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,101 violent crimes/100K (190% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,493
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,500
69% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,101/100K
190% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.9%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $662
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 50.7%
58% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 28.3%
128% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,326
Median Age45.8 yrs
Density843/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 26%

Economy

C
Median Income$36,493
Per Capita$24,700
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty28.3%
County GDP$5,045M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,500
Rent$662
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$88,093

Crime

F
Violent1,101/100K
Property6,275/100K
Murder36.7/100K
Assault587/100K
Burglary2,018/100K

Health

Obesity50.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.6%
Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.4 in/yr
Elevation118 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.9%
High School+84.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 36%
Commute24 min
Libraries7

Is Fairmont a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fairmont receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Fairmont has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fairmont is $36,493, 51% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 28.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fairmont is $88,500, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $662 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,101 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,275 per 100,000, 220% above the national average.

Education

17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Fairmont enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Fairmont has a population of 2,326 with a density of 843 people per square mile. The median age is 45.8 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (52%), with 25.8% White, 20.3% Hispanic.

Population

2,326
Total Population
843
People / sq mi
45.8yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.3%
Female 57.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Fairmont vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.9%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.1%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fairmont vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fairmont is $36,493, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 28.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Fairmont vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,493
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,700
Avg Weekly Wage$884
IRS Avg AGI$45,814

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate28.3%
128% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,176
County GDP$5,045M

Business (County)

Restaurants189
Healthcare289
Retail381
Manufacturing58

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,882
18% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Work from Home1.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Fairmont is $88,500, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $662 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $88,093.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,500
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$88,093

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$662
43% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,882
18% below US avg
Effective Rate3.26%
In Fairmont, 50.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.6% report depression. 36.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity50.7%
58% above US avg
Diabetes16.7%
Heart Disease7.6%
High Blood Pressure46.4%
Asthma13.7%
COPD10.2%
Stroke5.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking10.7%
Physical Inactivity36.3%
Depression22.6%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate82.3%
Premature Death18,938/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access40.3%
Healthcare Facilities289
Fairmont has a violent crime rate of 1,101 per 100,000 residents, 190% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,275 per 100,000 (220% above US avg). The murder rate is 36.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,100.9/100K
190% above US avg
Murder36.7/100K
483% above US avg
Rape73.4/100K
Robbery403.7/100K
Assault587.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,275.2/100K
220% above US avg
Burglary2,018.4/100K
Theft3,963.3/100K
Vehicle Theft293.6/100K
Arson36.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)59

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fairmont has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

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

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.4 inches
35% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation118 ft (36 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density843/sq mi
Coordinates34.4948°N, 79.1132°W
County FIPS37155
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.5%
D 35.8%

Winner: Republican by 27.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.9%
47% below US avg
High School+84.8%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density843/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities289
Restaurants189
Retail Stores381

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)59
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Work from Home1.9%

Nearby Cities

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