Fairfield: Demographics & People
About 566 people live in Fairfield, in 223 households. Population grew 18.7% from 477 (2022) to 566 (2024). Median age 42.5 years. (7.3y younger than Rockbridge County; 4.7y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 14% of the population. Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 76% of households are family-led. County is gaining 596 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 24% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 39 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 18.7% from 477 (2022) to 566 (2024) — about 31.1× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~676 (extrapolated at 9.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 843.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 22,650 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 18.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 477 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 566 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 566 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 843 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 42.5y is 3.6 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 14% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 42.5 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 14.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 566 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 80 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 60.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 346.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 80 |
| Population under 18 | 80 |
| Median age | 42.5 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 566 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 477 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% (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 (3)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 504 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 54 |
| Share born in this state | 89.0% |
| Share born in another state | 11.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 9.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 42 |
| From Africa | 10 |
Households & Family Composition
223 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 76% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 125 families, 10% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 49 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 125 |
| Married couples with children | 12 |
| Average household size | 2.40 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 208 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 39 |
| Family households | 170 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 76.2% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 223 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. 26.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 596 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 26.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 20,690 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 20,094 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 596 |
| 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 | 80 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 23.7% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51163 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 163 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Rockbridge |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 8.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 5.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 11.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51163 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Rockbridge County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 600 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51163 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Rockbridge County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 51.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 46.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 22.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 22,573 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 14.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 566, booming, established, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 566 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Rockbridge County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade