Fairfax, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairfax, Minnesota had a total population of 1,088, the 350th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $60,172, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Fairfax Quick Facts
How Fairfax 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 | 1,134 | 1,088 | -4.1% |
| Median household income | $53,750 | $60,172 | +11.9% |
| Median home value | $99,800 | $116,300 | +16.5% |
How Fairfax 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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairfax Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Renville County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia | 2,205 | $63,098 | 13.4% | $159,200 |
| Renville | 1,503 | $69,306 | 13.1% | $126,400 |
| Hector | 1,130 | $63,362 | 8.8% | $132,000 |
| Bird Island | 930 | $75,833 | 7.7% | $142,100 |
| Buffalo Lake | 635 | $66,167 | 20.1% | $113,400 |
| Franklin | 526 | $51,500 | 16.1% | $89,800 |
| Sacred Heart | 481 | $70,667 | 11.8% | $85,700 |
| Danube | 472 | $61,944 | 2.3% | $141,300 |
| Morton | 384 | $53,036 | 11.0% | $78,100 |
Cities Similar to Fairfax
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler | 1,090 | $65,500 | $151,100 | 24.5% | 10.5% |
| Hector | 1,130 | $63,362 | $132,000 | 12.1% | 8.8% |
| Sherburn | 1,015 | $59,777 | $106,900 | 17.7% | 22.7% |
| Buhl | 1,022 | $58,750 | $127,700 | 20.4% | 3.8% |
| Edgerton | 1,104 | $68,894 | $132,100 | 27.5% | 5.1% |
Population Overview
Fairfax is a small community located in Minnesota, within Renville County. The total population is 1,088. It ranks as the 350th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairfax is 40.9 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 17.1% 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 Fairfax is $60,172. This is 32% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 111% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $116,300. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Fairfax is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairfax is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.8% vs 6.4%). The Asian population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%.
Education
9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairfax, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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 Fairfax, Minnesota?
Fairfax, Minnesota has a population of 1,088 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairfax, MN?
The median household income in Fairfax is $60,172, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairfax, MN?
The poverty rate in Fairfax is 19.6%. This means approximately 201 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairfax, Minnesota?
Fairfax's population is 78.5% White, 0.0% Black, 16.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairfax, MN?
The median home value in Fairfax is $116,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Fairfax, Minnesota?
9.2% of adults (25+) in Fairfax hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.