Living in Fairplains, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fairplains · Census data 2020–2024
Fairplains has 1,803 residents with a median age of 43.4. The median household income is $38,585 (47% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $140,200, the median rent is $653/month.
Fairplains at a glance
- Population
- 1,803
- Median age
- 43.4State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $38,585State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $140,200State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $653/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 61.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.6%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Fairplains a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 47% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 12.3%; a poverty rate of 36.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Fairplains
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fairplains the median home value is $140,200, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $653 per month, which is 21.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $859 a month in housing costs.
Fairplains median household income
The median household income in Fairplains is $38,585 and the income per person is $19,124. 36.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Fairplains: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 863
- Owner-occupied
- 61.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.2%
- Vacant
- 12.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.35
Fairplains demographics
- Population
- 1,803
- Median age
- 43.4
- Under 18
- 25.6%
- 65 and older
- 29.6%
- Households
- 753
- Foreign-born
- 7.3%
- Veterans
- 15%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fairplains ›
Education in Fairplains
13.6% of adults 25 and older in Fairplains have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 2.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fairplains
- Unemployment rate
- 12.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 1.6%
- Drive alone
- 94.2%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.5%
Fairplains vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairplains | 1,803 | $38,585 | $140,200 | $653 |
| North Wilkesboro | 4,421 | $38,474 | $212,700 | $599 |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | $172,400 | $604 |
| Cricket | 2,317 | $39,859 | $140,600 | $773 |
| Wilkesboro | 3,646 | $40,907 | $223,700 | $764 |
| Hays | 1,053 | $55,035 | $183,800 | — |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | $227,200 | $695 |
| Moravian Falls | 1,285 | $47,548 | $218,800 | $700 |
| Ronda | 436 | $48,393 | $109,500 | $875 |
More for people moving to Fairplains
Fairplains ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fairplains: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fairplains, NC?
The median household income in Fairplains is $38,585, 47% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fairplains?
The median home value in Fairplains is $140,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Fairplains?
The median gross rent in Fairplains is $653 per month, about 21.9% of household income.
Is Fairplains, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes. Minuses: median household income 47% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 12.3%; a poverty rate of 36.3%.
What is the median age in Fairplains?
The median age in Fairplains is 43.4 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Fairplains?
The average commute to work in Fairplains is 25 minutes; 1.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fairplains?
The unemployment rate in Fairplains is 12.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fairplains?
13.6% of adults in Fairplains have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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