Fairplains, NC

North Carolina

Fairplains is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,876. Residents earn $36,586 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,876 Population 446/sq mi density
$36,586 Median Income $20,518 per capita
$134,300 Home Value
$631 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$36,586 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$134,300 home value, $631/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,586
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $134,300
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.8%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $631
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.9%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.7%
67% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,876
Median Age49.0 yrs
Density446/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

C+
Median Income$36,586
Per Capita$20,518
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty20.7%
County GDP$3,234M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$134,300
Rent$631
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.9%
Heart Disease7.9%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.7 in/yr
Elevation1,270 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.8%
High School+71.0%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 20%
Commute24 min
Libraries2

Is Fairplains a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fairplains receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fairplains offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fairplains is $36,586, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 20.7% 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 Fairplains is $134,300, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $631 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 71.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Fairplains enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.7 inches, including 5.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Fairplains has a population of 1,876 with a density of 446 people per square mile. The median age is 49.0 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.6%), with 6.4% Black.

Population

1,876
Total Population
446
People / sq mi
49.0yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Fairplains vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.3%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.7%
5% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fairplains vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fairplains is $36,586, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Fairplains vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,586
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,518
Avg Weekly Wage$923
IRS Avg AGI$61,890

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.7%
67% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,388
County GDP$3,234M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare126
Retail225
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,412
3% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.5 min
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Fairplains is $134,300, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $631 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$134,300
52% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$631
46% 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-Occupied69.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,412
3% below US avg
Effective Rate2.54%
In Fairplains, 42.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.9% report depression. 33.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.9%
34% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease7.9%
High Blood Pressure38.8%
Asthma11.9%
COPD10.7%
Stroke4.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.8%
Physical Inactivity33.1%
Depression28.9%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress17.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.1%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death12,047/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access66.5%
Healthcare Facilities126

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17

Safety Score

Fairplains has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.7 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall5.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,270 ft (387 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.9 km²)
Population Density446/sq mi
Coordinates36.1929°N, 81.1515°W
County FIPS37193
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 12.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.5%
D 19.9%

Winner: Republican by 59.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.8%
62% below US avg
High School+71.0%
School Test Score5.46
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density446/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants100
Retail Stores225

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.5 min
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

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