Fairforest, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairforest, South Carolina had a total population of 1,727, the 218th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $52,468, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.9%.
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 (28.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Fairforest Quick Facts
How Fairforest 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 | 1,711 | 1,727 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $60,199 | $52,468 | -12.8% |
| Median home value | $176,000 | $199,800 | +13.5% |
How Fairforest 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: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairforest Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Spartanburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg | 38,910 | $51,964 | 23.8% | $203,700 |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | 9.9% | $244,400 |
| Valley Falls | 8,239 | $55,661 | 22.2% | $256,600 |
| Lyman | 6,547 | $75,653 | 6.1% | $277,600 |
| Woodruff | 4,538 | $70,959 | 14.2% | $204,800 |
| Duncan | 4,310 | $52,500 | 12.4% | $211,400 |
| Saxon | 4,085 | $32,292 | 45.8% | $90,000 |
| Southern Shops | 3,797 | $37,754 | 43.3% | $109,600 |
| Whitney | 3,685 | $51,275 | 17.6% | $157,400 |
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | 16.2% | $223,000 |
Cities Similar to Fairforest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeville | 1,740 | $55,637 | $181,800 | 4.3% | 7.8% |
| Pelzer | 1,722 | $58,134 | $178,100 | 24.1% | 26.9% |
| St. Matthews | 1,645 | $51,310 | $204,200 | 30.4% | 31.1% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Edisto | 1,801 | $46,788 | $71,900 | 21.3% | 25.2% |
Population Overview
Fairforest is a small community located in South Carolina, within Spartanburg County. The total population is 1,727. It ranks as the 218th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairforest is 50.7 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairforest is $52,468. This is 24% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.9%. This is 105% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Fairforest, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $199,800. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairforest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.1%. The Black or African American population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.1% vs 7.4%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 1.8%).
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 69.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairforest, South 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 South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South 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 Fairforest, South Carolina?
Fairforest, South Carolina has a population of 1,727 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairforest, SC?
The median household income in Fairforest is $52,468, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairforest, SC?
The poverty rate in Fairforest is 28.9%. This means approximately 498 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairforest, South Carolina?
Fairforest's population is 57.6% White, 6.1% Black, 32.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairforest, SC?
The median home value in Fairforest is $199,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Fairforest, South Carolina?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Fairforest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.