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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Fairfield County

South Carolina · 20,948 residents · 686.305 sq mi
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The short version

Fairfield County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,861. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $106,900. With a median age of 50.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,948
−11%since 2000
from 23,454 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
31 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 34 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.2
+36%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K22K23K24K1990201020202024Fairfield County
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,861
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,376 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,698
+72%since 2000
from $14,911 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.5%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.5%
US avg: 10%
Information10%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services4%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$106,900
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$718
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $395 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
74.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 77.4% in 2000
26.0% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+17%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fairfield County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic39.2%(9,195)
Black58.9%(13,810)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(250)
Asian0.2%(41)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.6%(14,444)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic40.6%(8,503)
Black53.5%(11,201)
Hispanic / Latino2%(423)
Asian0.5%(101)
Other2%(424)
Diversity Score66.9%(14,020)
Segregation Score21.3%(4,452)
Diversity Score
67
+9%since 2000
from 62 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
21
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.8%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.2%
+19.2 ptssince 2000
from 67.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.4 min
+49%since 2000
from 20.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
89.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 56.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.3%
−31.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
52.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.9%
−75.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Fairfield County

Holmes County
Pop 20,119
Taylor County
Pop 21,210
Polk County
Pop 19,486
Madison County
Pop 18,759
Places similar to Fairfield County
Head to head

Compare Fairfield County to nearby counties

FAIRFIELD COUNTY VS
Chester County
Income$52,458+20%
Home value$158,300+48%
Population33,001+62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FAIRFIELD COUNTY VS
Newberry County
Income$61,780+41%
Home value$173,300+62%
Population39,561+94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FAIRFIELD COUNTY VS
Richland County
Income$63,784+45%
Home value$242,800+127%
Population434,956+2038%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FAIRFIELD COUNTY VS
Kershaw County
Income$68,231+56%
Home value$217,100+103%
Population73,166+260%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fairfield County, South Carolina?

Fairfield County, South Carolina has about 20,948 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fairfield County, South Carolina?

The typical household in Fairfield County, South Carolina earns about $43,861 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fairfield County, South Carolina expensive?

In Fairfield County, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $106,900, and the typical rent is about $718 a month.

How educated are people in Fairfield County, South Carolina?

About 17.8% of adults age 25 and over in Fairfield County, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fairfield County, South Carolina?

About 18.5% of people in Fairfield County, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fairfield County, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Fairfield County, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,347 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

8 census tracts
Census Tract 9603.01Census Tract 9604.01Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9603.02Census Tract 9605.01Census Tract 9605.02Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9604.02
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 29180ZIP 29130ZIP 29014ZIP 29015ZIP 29065
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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