Fair Bluff town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Fair Bluff town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 513. It ranks as the 583rd most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fair Bluff town is 51.8 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.9% 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 Fair Bluff town is $29,063. This is 58% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 63% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 136% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 4.9%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $48,900. Housing costs are 81% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Fair Bluff town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Fair Bluff town is Black or African American, making up 61.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.8%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.0% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.2% vs 3.1%).

Education

10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Fair Bluff town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.