Population 43,267 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Fayette County
Household size in Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.71 | 2.72 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.74 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.70 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.65 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.18 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Fayette County has 2.52 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.71, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.3 | 35.8 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.3 | 36.7 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.4 | 37.6 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 37.7 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.1 | +1.9 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.4, Fayette County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.3, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Tennessee's 95 counties, only three are older.
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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 17.3% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.5% | 16.4% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 15.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 16.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.4% of households in Fayette County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Fayette County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of Tennessee counties.
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 Fayette County
Renters in Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 34.7% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.5% | 37.9% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.1% | 40.0% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 39.5% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +4.8 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Fayette County is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly four in ten owners (37.7%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 1.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 12.1% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 11.6% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −2.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Fayette County: 7.8% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 3.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Fayette County has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Tennessee 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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1980 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1994 | 1981 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1997 | 1983 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Fayette County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1997, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the northeast has the oldest housing. Only four of Tennessee's 95 counties 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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $746 | $912 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $797 | $991 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $914 | $1,080 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,131 | $1,428 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$385 | +$516 | +$526 | +$606 |
Rent in Fayette County runs $1,131 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $385 a month since 2006–10, up 52%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.5% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the east.
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 Fayette County
Bachelor's degrees in Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.2% | 25.5% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.3% | 26.6% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 28.0% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.2% | 30.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.1 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Fayette County than nationally: 27.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 8.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the east.
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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.3% | 84.8% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.6% | 86.4% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.3% | 87.8% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.9% | 89.2% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.6 pts | +4.4 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Fayette County have finished high school (91.9%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 8.6 points, mirroring the country. Only seven of Tennessee's 95 counties have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Fayette County
| Period | Fayette County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 10.1% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 11.0% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 7.1% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 6.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.3 pts | −3.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Fayette County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Memphis area as a whole (6.9%). Unemployment has fallen 5.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Fayette 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | 2.52 | 47.4 | 8.4% | 18.6% | 7.8% | 1997 | $1,131 | 27.2% | 91.9% | 4.8% |
| Shelby County | 2.64 | 36.8 | 17.4% | 45.9% | 10.2% | 1978 | $1,481 | 33.3% | 89.2% | 7.7% |
| Hardeman County | 2.38 | 42.4 | 13.3% | 28.3% | 14.9% | 1983 | $853 | 13.8% | 86.3% | 8.8% |
| Crittenden County | 2.64 | 37.1 | 21.8% | 42.6% | 14.5% | 1984 | $983 | 16.7% | 85.6% | 10.6% |
| McNairy County | 2.61 | 43.1 | 10.7% | 20.3% | 18.5% | 1985 | $723 | 13.3% | 88.6% | 5.7% |
| Hardin County | 2.47 | 44.9 | 10.7% | 22.0% | 22.1% | 1984 | $797 | 14.3% | 82.5% | 4.7% |
| Cross County | 2.57 | 41.3 | 18.4% | 32.5% | 15.8% | 1982 | $784 | 19.3% | 85.8% | 11.2% |
| Wayne County | 2.55 | 45.0 | 11.0% | 19.8% | 18.7% | 1986 | $553 | 13.1% | 82.6% | 2.7% |
| Woodruff County | 2.22 | 46.5 | 8.0% | 35.3% | 17.2% | 1978 | $611 | 15.5% | 82.8% | 6.0% |
| Lawrence County | 2.72 | 39.4 | 9.9% | 22.4% | 9.8% | 1983 | $814 | 15.4% | 86.3% | 5.0% |
| White County | 2.59 | 39.2 | 13.9% | 30.9% | 12.7% | 1992 | $891 | 20.8% | 87.6% | 5.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Clatsop County, OR · Douglas County, NV · Dearborn County, IN · Darke County, OH · Dale County, AL · Curry County, NM · Crittenden County, AR · Columbus County, NC · Colquitt County, GA · Coles County, IL
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 Fayette 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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