Fairlee, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairlee, Maryland had a total population of 299, the 422nd largest community in Maryland. The poverty rate is 58.9%.
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 (58.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 37.8% is notably above the national average.
Fairlee Quick Facts
How Fairlee 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 | 259 | 299 | +15.4% |
| Median home value | $271,200 | $270,600 | -0.2% |
How Fairlee 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairlee Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Kent County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chestertown | 5,594 | $54,346 | 11.6% | $344,000 |
| Rock Hall | 1,215 | $74,597 | 7.6% | $262,000 |
| Galena | 728 | $88,958 | 1.7% | $281,000 |
| Butlertown | 511 | $72,991 | 17.4% | $209,500 |
| Chesapeake Landing | 509 | $53,566 | 0.0% | $231,300 |
| Betterton | 391 | $86,250 | 10.1% | $226,700 |
| Tolchester | 379 | $121,042 | 0.0% | $334,200 |
| Kennedyville | 205 | $36,510 | 9.8% | $263,500 |
| Worton | 126 | $90,982 | 0.0% | $251,100 |
| Still Pond | 102 | N/A | 9.8% | $146,000 |
Cities Similar to Fairlee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mar | 306 | N/A | $240,500 | 12.0% | 32.0% |
| Zihlman | 306 | $52,054 | $91,900 | 21.0% | 11.8% |
| Bagtown | 310 | $158,500 | $332,400 | 0.0% | 14.5% |
| Rosemont | 310 | $106,250 | $437,900 | 32.5% | 9.3% |
| Deer Park | 288 | $52,500 | $159,600 | 11.5% | 11.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 299, Fairlee's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Fairlee is a small community located in Maryland, within Kent County. The total population is 299. It ranks as the 422nd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairlee is 39.4 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.4 years. With 31.8% of the population under 18, Fairlee has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 58.9%. This is 523% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. 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 37.8%. This is 673% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $270,600. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $419,900. 35.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairlee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.4%.
Education
5.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 88% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairlee, Maryland 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 Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. 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 Fairlee, Maryland?
Fairlee, Maryland has a population of 299 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairlee, MD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Fairlee — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairlee, MD?
The poverty rate in Fairlee is 58.9%. This means approximately 176 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairlee, Maryland?
Fairlee's population is 54.9% White, 33.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairlee, MD?
The median home value in Fairlee is $270,600.
How educated is Fairlee, Maryland?
5.4% of adults (25+) in Fairlee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.