Fairhope, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairhope, Alabama had a total population of 24,190, the 26th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $94,274, which is 47% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alabama.
- 53.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alabama.
Fairhope Quick Facts
How Fairhope 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 | 23,360 | 24,190 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $86,509 | $94,274 | +9.0% |
| Median home value | $406,500 | $430,900 | +6.0% |
How Fairhope 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+)
Fairhope Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Baldwin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne | 29,453 | $87,250 | 7.2% | $323,400 |
| Foley | 24,026 | $66,336 | 11.0% | $289,300 |
| Gulf Shores | 16,401 | $78,188 | 11.5% | $382,700 |
| Spanish Fort | 10,662 | $99,346 | 5.8% | $343,900 |
| Orange Beach | 8,407 | $97,736 | 2.6% | $502,400 |
| Bay Minette | 8,295 | $44,523 | 24.4% | $173,000 |
| Robertsdale | 7,194 | $59,152 | 11.1% | $229,300 |
| Loxley | 4,357 | $108,488 | 11.7% | $398,500 |
| Stapleton | 3,009 | N/A | 4.4% | N/A |
| Bon Secour | 2,789 | $61,497 | 17.7% | $309,800 |
Cities Similar to Fairhope
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham | 24,827 | $101,094 | $299,800 | 47.2% | 6.7% |
| Homewood | 27,829 | $94,485 | $558,500 | 70.9% | 8.9% |
| Foley | 24,026 | $66,336 | $289,300 | 24.6% | 11.0% |
| Helena | 21,769 | $115,139 | $330,700 | 51.4% | 3.2% |
| Oxford | 22,063 | $74,268 | $170,900 | 24.8% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Fairhope is a small city located in Alabama, within Baldwin County. The total population is 24,190. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairhope is 48.2 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.3 years. 13.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairhope is $94,274. This is 47% higher than the state median of $63,999. It is also 17% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $430,900. Housing costs are 105% higher than the state median of $209,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 80.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairhope has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.7%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 25.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
53.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fairhope in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 89% higher 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 95.1%. Notably, 23.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairhope, 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 Fairhope, Alabama?
Fairhope, Alabama has a population of 24,190 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairhope, AL?
The median household income in Fairhope is $94,274, which is 17% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairhope, AL?
The poverty rate in Fairhope is 8.2%. This means approximately 1,960 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairhope, Alabama?
Fairhope's population is 88.6% White, 3.3% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairhope, AL?
The median home value in Fairhope is $430,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Fairhope, Alabama?
53.5% of adults (25+) in Fairhope hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.