Fairview, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairview, North Carolina had a total population of 2,298, the 318th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $92,132, which is 27% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Fairview Quick Facts
How Fairview 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 | 2,327 | 2,298 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $74,388 | $92,132 | +23.9% |
| Median home value | $373,200 | $439,600 | +17.8% |
How Fairview 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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairview Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Buncombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | 14.2% | $440,000 |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | 5.9% | $358,900 |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | 14.1% | $366,700 |
| Swannanoa | 6,901 | $69,760 | 16.8% | $287,500 |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | 4.2% | $463,700 |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | 1.5% | $400,200 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | 1.4% | $412,900 |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | 11.3% | $92,300 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | 2.0% | $1,333,300 |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | 15.6% | $404,000 |
Cities Similar to Fairview
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 2,230 | $90,795 | $306,500 | 25.1% | 6.6% |
| Laurel Park | 2,408 | $90,000 | $433,100 | 63.3% | 5.5% |
| Fearrington Village | 2,356 | $86,116 | $472,600 | 77.5% | 5.5% |
| Kure Beach | 2,466 | $104,149 | $735,100 | 52.9% | 3.9% |
| Swepsonville | 2,517 | $100,559 | $311,200 | 33.9% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Fairview is a small community located in North Carolina, within Buncombe County. The total population is 2,298. It ranks as the 318th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairview is 37.3 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 30.0% of the population under 18, Fairview has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairview is $92,132. This is 27% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 93% 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 5.7%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $439,600. Housing costs are 52% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 94.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairview has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.4% of all residents.
Education
51.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% higher 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 99.5%. Notably, 20.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairview, 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 Fairview, North Carolina?
Fairview, North Carolina has a population of 2,298 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairview, NC?
The median household income in Fairview is $92,132, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairview, NC?
The poverty rate in Fairview is 25.1%. This means approximately 578 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairview, North Carolina?
Fairview's population is 89.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairview, NC?
The median home value in Fairview is $439,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Fairview, North Carolina?
51.6% of adults (25+) in Fairview hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.