Fairfield, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfield, Illinois had a total population of 4,561, the 349th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $41,989, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
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 | 4,658 | 4,561 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $41,026 | $41,989 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $91,800 | $88,800 | -3.3% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairfield Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne City | 920 | $54,643 | 14.5% | $98,300 |
| Cisne | 627 | $59,926 | 6.5% | $76,600 |
| Jeffersonville | 263 | $49,583 | 15.3% | $56,400 |
| Mount Erie | 135 | N/A | 30.5% | $94,300 |
| Mill Shoals | 126 | $58,875 | 13.5% | $65,800 |
| Sims | 123 | $48,194 | 11.4% | $44,200 |
| Golden Gate | 87 | $16,020 | 27.6% | N/A |
| Johnsonville | 72 | $55,313 | 48.6% | N/A |
| Keenes | 58 | $59,375 | 20.7% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbins | 4,556 | $40,668 | $121,300 | 13.8% | 28.7% |
| Watseka | 4,780 | $43,608 | $103,700 | 12.2% | 23.4% |
| Flora | 4,475 | $47,148 | $77,300 | 12.3% | 18.9% |
| Creve Coeur | 4,621 | $47,993 | $85,500 | 12.6% | 17.7% |
| Carmi | 4,845 | $47,827 | $114,800 | 15.8% | 21.8% |
Population Overview
Fairfield is a small community located in Illinois, within Wayne County. The total population is 4,561. It ranks as the 349th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfield is 46.4 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.7% 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 Fairfield is $41,989. This is 50% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $88,800. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Fairfield is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairfield has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.5% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfield, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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, Illinois?
Fairfield, Illinois has a population of 4,561 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfield, IL?
The median household income in Fairfield is $41,989, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfield, IL?
The poverty rate in Fairfield is 17.7%. This means approximately 796 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfield, Illinois?
Fairfield's population is 93.5% White, 0.4% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfield, IL?
The median home value in Fairfield is $88,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Fairfield, Illinois?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Fairfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.