Fair Play, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fair Play, Missouri had a total population of 595, the 477th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $40,781, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 15.8% is notably above the national average.
Fair Play Quick Facts
How Fair Play 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 | 470 | 595 | +26.6% |
| Median household income | $37,125 | $40,781 | +9.8% |
| Median home value | $73,800 | $105,600 | +43.1% |
How Fair Play 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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fair Play Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivar | 11,170 | $49,622 | 18.8% | $201,600 |
| Humansville | 1,058 | $37,446 | 33.9% | $63,700 |
| Pleasant Hope | 716 | $65,078 | 16.1% | $155,600 |
| Morrisville | 595 | $60,625 | 15.4% | $151,300 |
| Halfway | 137 | $29,583 | 32.1% | $53,100 |
| Flemington | 73 | $31,563 | 19.2% | $135,400 |
| Aldrich | 65 | $82,750 | 4.6% | $133,900 |
Cities Similar to Fair Play
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowry City | 618 | $41,250 | $82,200 | 6.9% | 26.9% |
| Doolittle | 561 | $40,417 | $119,200 | 10.7% | 14.3% |
| Matthews | 561 | $42,695 | $108,400 | 4.0% | 14.4% |
| Irondale | 622 | $37,368 | $99,300 | 3.8% | 33.0% |
| Parkway | 624 | $44,479 | $192,900 | 14.6% | 15.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 595, Fair Play'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
Fair Play is a small community located in Missouri, within Polk County. The total population is 595. It ranks as the 477th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fair Play is 40.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fair Play is $40,781. This is 42% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.4%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 15.8%. This is 292% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $105,600. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Fair Play is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fair Play has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
2.8% 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 91% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 72.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fair Play, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Fair Play, Missouri?
Fair Play, Missouri has a population of 595 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fair Play, MO?
The median household income in Fair Play is $40,781, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fair Play, MO?
The poverty rate in Fair Play is 23.4%. This means approximately 139 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fair Play, Missouri?
Fair Play's population is 94.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fair Play, MO?
The median home value in Fair Play is $105,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Fair Play, Missouri?
2.8% of adults (25+) in Fair Play hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.