Fairmont, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairmont, North Carolina had a total population of 2,463, the 301st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $36,641, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Fairmont Quick Facts
How Fairmont 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 | 2,326 | 2,463 | +5.9% |
| Median household income | $36,493 | $36,641 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $88,500 | $106,800 | +20.7% |
How Fairmont 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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairmont Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Robeson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | 30.8% | $152,600 |
| Red Springs | 3,125 | $20,833 | 40.0% | $100,800 |
| Pembroke | 2,822 | $25,889 | 39.1% | $129,400 |
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | 37.8% | $111,000 |
| Maxton | 2,330 | $22,667 | 42.7% | $83,200 |
| Barker Ten Mile | 1,156 | $66,667 | 6.0% | $163,700 |
| Rowland | 946 | $32,500 | 33.7% | $118,000 |
| Prospect | 907 | $110,769 | 21.7% | $100,700 |
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | 20.8% | $151,900 |
| Rennert | 292 | $26,875 | 33.9% | $45,800 |
Cities Similar to Fairmont
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | $152,700 | 14.7% | 32.7% |
| Mayodan | 2,401 | $38,446 | $120,600 | 9.5% | 22.8% |
| Snow Hill | 2,438 | $31,629 | $135,700 | 14.6% | 40.2% |
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | $111,000 | 9.6% | 37.8% |
| Spruce Pine | 2,398 | $42,098 | $207,500 | 24.4% | 22.5% |
Population Overview
Fairmont is a small community located in North Carolina, within Robeson County. The total population is 2,463. It ranks as the 301st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairmont is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years. 12.1% 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 Fairmont is $36,641. This is 49% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 123% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 7.8%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $106,800. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Fairmont is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairmont is Black or African American, making up 51.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.5%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (51.2% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairmont, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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 Fairmont, North Carolina?
Fairmont, North Carolina has a population of 2,463 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairmont, NC?
The median household income in Fairmont is $36,641, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairmont, NC?
The poverty rate in Fairmont is 29.0%. This means approximately 700 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairmont, North Carolina?
Fairmont's population is 26.5% White, 51.2% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairmont, NC?
The median home value in Fairmont is $106,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Fairmont, North Carolina?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Fairmont hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.