Fairplains, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairplains, North Carolina had a total population of 1,803, the 358th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,585, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Fairplains Quick Facts
How Fairplains 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 | 1,876 | 1,803 | -3.9% |
| Median household income | $36,586 | $38,585 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $134,300 | $140,200 | +4.4% |
How Fairplains 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairplains Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wilkes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | 23.8% | $212,700 |
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | 22.6% | $223,700 |
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | 27.0% | $140,600 |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | 11.7% | $172,400 |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | 18.9% | $227,200 |
| Moravian Falls | 1,285 | $47,548 | 5.4% | $218,800 |
| Hays | 1,053 | $55,035 | 4.9% | $183,800 |
| Pleasant Hill | 793 | $52,381 | 7.1% | $147,800 |
| Ronda | 436 | $48,393 | 21.3% | $109,500 |
Cities Similar to Fairplains
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 1,864 | $40,590 | $236,000 | 11.9% | 22.9% |
| Coats | 1,664 | $37,009 | $125,200 | 19.1% | 21.6% |
| Sparta | 1,928 | $42,454 | $209,600 | 21.3% | 21.5% |
| Bryson City | 1,902 | $44,167 | $243,400 | 25.5% | 24.3% |
| Andrews | 1,998 | $37,061 | $98,600 | 12.6% | 21.4% |
Population Overview
Fairplains is a small community located in North Carolina, within Wilkes County. The total population is 1,803. It ranks as the 358th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairplains is 43.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.1% 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 Fairplains is $38,585. This is 47% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.3%. This is 179% 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 12.3%. This is 160% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $140,200. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairplains is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.1%. The Black or African American population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.1% vs 11.3%).
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 76.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairplains, 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 Fairplains, North Carolina?
Fairplains, North Carolina has a population of 1,803 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairplains, NC?
The median household income in Fairplains is $38,585, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairplains, NC?
The poverty rate in Fairplains is 36.3%. This means approximately 647 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairplains, North Carolina?
Fairplains's population is 72.0% White, 6.4% Black, 21.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairplains, NC?
The median home value in Fairplains is $140,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Fairplains, North Carolina?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Fairplains hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.