Population 163,453 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Fairfield County
Household size in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.67 | 2.56 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.70 | 2.59 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.73 | 2.60 | 2.47 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.72 | 2.56 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | +0.00 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Fairfield County average 2.72 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is bigger than in the Columbus area overall, where it has 2.56 people. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.67, even as the national average fell. Only five of Ohio's 88 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.9 | 36.2 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.2 | 37.0 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.1 | 37.6 | 40.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.7 | 37.9 | 40.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +1.7 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
At 40.7, the median age in Fairfield County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is older than in the Columbus area as a whole, where the median age is 37.9. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 37.9, mirroring the country.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 12.1% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 12.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.4% | 12.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | +0.7 pts | −0.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Fairfield County as they are nationally: 11.4%, against 11.6%. Single parents are less common here than in the Columbus area as a whole (12.7%). The single-parent share has edged up 0.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Fairfield County
Renters in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.2% | 35.4% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.3% | 37.9% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.1% | 38.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.1% | 38.7% | 32.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +3.3 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Fairfield County rent their homes (25.1%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 32.8% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the south; owners are most common in the west. The renter share has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 10.9% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 10.0% | 10.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 8.8% | 10.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 7.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.9 pts | −2.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Fairfield County: 6.5% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.8 points, mirroring the country. Fairfield County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Ohio counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1976 | 1968 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1977 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1979 | 1970 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1982 | 1982 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Fairfield County was built around 1982, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the southeast. Of Ohio's 88 counties, only seven have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $902 | $852 | $765 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $926 | $924 | $814 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,068 | $1,051 | $901 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,388 | $1,378 | $1,142 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$485 | +$526 | +$377 | +$606 |
The median renter in Fairfield County pays $1,388 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $485 a month since 2006–10, up 54%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.6% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Fairfield County
Bachelor's degrees in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.8% | 33.3% | 25.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.0% | 34.4% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 37.6% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.6% | 40.2% | 31.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +6.9 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Fairfield County (32.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in the Columbus area as a whole (40.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.8 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.1% | 89.6% | 87.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.8% | 90.2% | 88.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.8% | 91.6% | 90.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.1% | 92.2% | 91.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Fairfield County is above the national rate: 94.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points, mirroring the country. Fairfield County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Ohio counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Fairfield County
| Period | Fairfield County | Columbus area | Ohio | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 7.8% | 9.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −3.4 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Fairfield County runs below the national rate: 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.9 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Fairfield County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield County | 2.72 | 40.7 | 11.4% | 25.1% | 6.5% | 1982 | $1,388 | 32.6% | 94.1% | 3.9% |
| Pickaway County | 2.63 | 40.2 | 11.0% | 26.0% | 5.0% | 1979 | $1,190 | 22.4% | 90.1% | 3.3% |
| Perry County | 2.66 | 40.3 | 11.4% | 23.6% | 10.8% | 1975 | $845 | 15.9% | 88.4% | 3.5% |
| Morgan County | 2.40 | 44.5 | 11.5% | 21.1% | 21.3% | 1977 | $764 | 14.1% | 88.1% | 3.5% |
| Noble County | 2.50 | 51.2 | 5.0% | 16.5% | 17.7% | 1977 | $702 | 16.0% | 84.3% | 1.5% |
| Greene County | 2.45 | 40.7 | 9.2% | 32.0% | 6.9% | 1978 | $1,316 | 42.4% | 94.0% | 4.1% |
| Montgomery County | 2.32 | 40.8 | 12.7% | 37.5% | 8.7% | 1967 | $1,145 | 32.1% | 92.7% | 5.7% |
| Monroe County | 2.40 | 45.6 | 7.8% | 20.1% | 17.6% | 1976 | $769 | 12.0% | 90.6% | 5.9% |
| Wetzel County | 2.32 | 44.4 | 10.6% | 16.8% | 15.8% | 1962 | $648 | 18.1% | 92.0% | 5.3% |
| Preble County | 2.44 | 43.7 | 11.2% | 20.3% | 8.3% | 1967 | $869 | 18.5% | 92.4% | 3.2% |
| Union County | 2.41 | 41.8 | 11.4% | 20.2% | 10.8% | 1967 | $882 | 19.1% | 88.5% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Rankin County, MS · Jackson County, MI · Johnson County, IA · Kings County, CA · Merrimack County, NH · Middlesex County, CT · Monroe County, MI · Monroe County, PA · Ouachita Parish, LA · Paulding County, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Fairfield County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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