1st Advantage MortgageFairfield County households have a median income of $47,885 and median rent of $938 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Fairfield County offer.
On this page
- Fairfield County, SC: the basics
- Fairfield County against other South Carolina counties
- Fairfield County industries and commutes
- How much Fairfield County households make
- The Fairfield County housing market in figures
- Census places in Fairfield County
- Regional comparison for Fairfield County
- More Fairfield County figures
- Reading the Fairfield County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Fairfield County's medians
- South Carolina rules that apply in Fairfield County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Fairfield County, SC: the basics
Fairfield County is home to about 20,550 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 38th most populous of 46 county-level areas in South Carolina. Fairfield County spans 686 square miles; with 20,550 people, that is 29.9 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Columbia, SC metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Winnsboro is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 3,322 people (16% of the county total).
Fairfield County against other South Carolina counties
Ranked against the other 45 county-level areas in South Carolina, these are the Fairfield County figures furthest from the middle.
- Fairfield County ranks the highest of 46 South Carolina counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 62%, against 52% statewide. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
- On the uninsured rate, Fairfield County sits near the bottom of South Carolina at 7.0%, 2nd lowest of 46. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
- Median age: 47.4 in Fairfield County. Only 4 of 46 South Carolina counties are higher. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.
- On population, Fairfield County sits near the bottom of South Carolina at 20,550, 9th lowest of 46. In a small county, the nearest lender may not be the best; compare online offers too.
Fairfield County industries and commutes
Education and health care (21%), manufacturing (19%) and professional and administrative services (11%) lead Fairfield County's job mix. Manufacturing stands out: 19% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Fairfield County averages 5.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Fairfield County share | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.5% | -1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.3% | +6.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.3% | -1.9 pts |
| Public administration | 7.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.1% | +1.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
How much Fairfield County households make
Median household income in Fairfield County: $47,885 (31% below South Carolina, $69,324).
| Income band | Share in Fairfield County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.4% | +10.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.1% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -5.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -4.3 pts |
On the low end, 35% of Fairfield County households report under $35,000; at the top, 23% report $100,000-plus. Fairfield County counts about 3,215 residents below the poverty line, 15.6% of the population. Gini index for Fairfield County: 0.481. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Fairfield County median.
The Fairfield County housing market in figures
Renters in Fairfield County pay a median of $938 a month, 21% below the South Carolina figure of $1,180. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 62% of renter households here. With a median value of $151,200, a typical Fairfield County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 75%, renters 25%. Half the housing stock was built before 1984.
| Fairfield County | South Carolina | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 62% | 52% | +9.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 19% | 13% | +5.5 pts |
| Median home value | $151,200 | $259,000 | 42% lower |
| Owners | 75% | 72% | +2.8 pts |
| Median gross rent | $938/mo | $1,180/mo | 21% lower |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 26% | +0.9 pts |
Because most Fairfield County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Census places in Fairfield County
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 75% of Fairfield County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Live in one of these Fairfield County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnsboro | town | 3,322 | $37,434 | $856 | 3 mi |
| Winnsboro Mills | CDP | 1,535 | $34,708 | $986 | 4 mi |
| Ridgeway | town | 261 | $44,107 | $635 | 11 mi |
| Jenkinsville | town | 69 | $43,125 | n/a | 11 mi |
Regional comparison for Fairfield County
Chester County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Union County, is 34 miles off. Fairfield County's $47,885 median trails 5 of the six and beats 1; the range runs $41,621 (Union County) to $78,869 (Lancaster County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield County | - | $47,885 | $938/mo | 75% |
| Chester County, SC | 20 mi | $52,458 | $853/mo | 78% |
| Newberry County, SC | 28 mi | $61,780 | $872/mo | 73% |
| Richland County, SC | 29 mi | $63,784 | $1,228/mo | 60% |
| Kershaw County, SC | 31 mi | $68,231 | $971/mo | 82% |
| Lancaster County, SC | 31 mi | $78,869 | $959/mo | 83% |
| Union County, SC | 34 mi | $41,621 | $804/mo | 71% |
More Fairfield County figures
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Fairfield County: 7.0%; South Carolina: 9.6%.
| People and households | Fairfield County | Compared with South Carolina | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.2% | -16.9 pts | -6.9 pts |
| Median age | 47.4 | +7.2 yrs | +5.9 yrs |
| Work from home | 6.3% | -5.2 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.9% | +5.0 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.0% | -2.7 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | +1.6 pts | +2.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | +0.6 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | +0.2 pts | +0.5 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Fairfield County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.8% |
Reading the Fairfield County data as a borrower
Fairfield County-specific points to check:
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 23% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Fixed incomes. Fairfield County's median age is 47.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Fairfield County rent burden. 62% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
Debt-to-income at Fairfield County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Fairfield County's medians:
- $47,885 a year is $3,990 of gross monthly income
- 24% goes to median rent ($938)
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $778 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Fairfield County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
South Carolina rules that apply in Fairfield County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Fairfield County borrowers answers to the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. For consumer-credit complaints, South Carolina residents can also contact the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. State-level detail for Fairfield County borrowers is in the South Carolina guide.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Fairfield County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Fairfield County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The South Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Fairfield County?
$47,885 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 35th of 46 in the state.
How much is rent in Fairfield County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $938 a month; 62% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Fairfield County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 75% of Fairfield County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Fairfield County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Winnsboro, Winnsboro Mills, Ridgeway, Jenkinsville.
Does living in Fairfield County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Fairfield County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.