Fairfield, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfield, Alabama had a total population of 9,728, the 72nd largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $48,456, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Fairfield Quick Facts
How Fairfield Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,846 | 9,728 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $48,492 | $48,456 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $120,100 | $129,300 | +7.7% |
How Fairfield Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairfield Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 198,173 | $46,051 | 24.7% | $158,800 |
| Hoover | 92,642 | $109,253 | 5.1% | $412,200 |
| Vestavia Hills | 38,616 | $134,369 | 10.0% | $530,000 |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | 8.9% | $558,500 |
| Trussville | 26,673 | $123,275 | 1.1% | $370,300 |
| Bessemer | 25,400 | $39,613 | 28.0% | $135,900 |
| Mountain Brook | 22,029 | $201,479 | 3.2% | $916,300 |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | 3.2% | $330,700 |
| Gardendale | 16,534 | $82,192 | 4.3% | $252,600 |
| Hueytown | 16,414 | $62,784 | 16.2% | $155,300 |
Cities Similar to Fairfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley | 10,277 | $51,661 | $140,800 | 17.1% | 14.9% |
| Clanton | 8,958 | $47,520 | $166,300 | 18.3% | 18.1% |
| Saks | 10,681 | $49,753 | $116,400 | 17.9% | 20.0% |
| Boaz | 10,814 | $49,846 | $199,200 | 15.8% | 19.4% |
| Rainbow City | 10,284 | $56,398 | $223,000 | 20.8% | 10.0% |
Population Overview
Fairfield is a small city located in Alabama, within Jefferson County. The total population is 9,728. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfield is 30.3 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairfield is $48,456. This is 24% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.4%. This is 107% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $129,300. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Fairfield is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairfield has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 6.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (90.8% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.6%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfield, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairfield, Alabama?
Fairfield, Alabama has a population of 9,728 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfield, AL?
The median household income in Fairfield is $48,456, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfield, AL?
The poverty rate in Fairfield is 32.4%. This means approximately 2,894 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfield, Alabama?
Fairfield's population is 6.6% White, 90.8% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfield, AL?
The median home value in Fairfield is $129,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Fairfield, Alabama?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Fairfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.