Fairlawn: Demographics & People
Fairlawn is home to 2,488 people, in 1,246 households. Population shrank 2.6% from 2,555 (2022) to 2,488 (2024). Median age 55.1 years. (8.3y older than Pulaski County; 17.3y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 16% of the population. Population is 92% White (non-Hispanic) and 6% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.23). 62% of households are family-led. County is gaining 161 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 38% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 91 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 2.6% from 2,555 (2022) to 2,488 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~2,423 (extrapolated at -1.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 2,338.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 33,800 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -2.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 2,555 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 2,488 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 2,488 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 2,338 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 55.1y is 16.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 16% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 55.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 16.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 2,488 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 411 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 343.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 961.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 773 |
| Population under 18 | 411 |
| Median age | 55.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 2,488 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.23 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 2,394 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 108 |
| Asian residents | 42 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 194 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 22.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 87.4% |
| Asian population | 1.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 6.0% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 92.5% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.9% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,508 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 921 |
| Share born in this state | 60.6% |
| Share born in another state | 39.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 37.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 74 |
| From Europe | 14 |
| From Africa | 34 |
Households & Family Composition
1,246 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 62% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 753 families, 31% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 501 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 753 |
| Married couples with children | 234 |
| Average household size | 2.03 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 6.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 736 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 194 |
| Family households | 773 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 62.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 1,246 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 15.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 161 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 15.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 27,654 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 27,493 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 161 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 166 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.9% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 2 residents live in group quarters (0.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 2 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 155 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pulaski |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 30.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 24.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 35.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pulaski County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,550 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pulaski County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 50.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 44.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 29.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 34,027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 16.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 2,488, declining, retirement community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 2,488 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Pulaski County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade