Fair Play: Demographics & People
Fair Play's population stands at 757 people, in 376 households. Population grew 31.0% from 578 (2022) to 757 (2024). Median age 52.1 years. (4.8y older than Oconee County; 15.2y older than South Carolina). Children under 18 are 19% of the population. Population is 95% White (non-Hispanic) and 3% Asian. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.08). 79% of households are family-led. County is gaining 8,427 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs South Carolina avg 2.5).
- 21% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs South Carolina 38%).
- 54 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs South Carolina 68).
Population & Trend
Population grew 31.0% from 578 (2022) to 757 (2024) — about 51.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,009 (extrapolated at 15.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,420.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 203,718 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 31.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 578 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 757 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 757 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Population Estimate | 1,420 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 52.1y is 13.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 19% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 52.1 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 757 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 143 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 107.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 386.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 121 |
| Population under 18 | 143 |
| Median age | 52.1 years (vs South Carolina 36.9y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 757 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.08 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 549 |
|---|---|
| Asian residents | 14 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 11 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 8.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 95.6% |
| Asian population | 3.4% (vs South Carolina 1.8%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.7% (vs South Carolina 6.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 94.8% (vs South Carolina 60.8%) |
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 (6)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 5.2% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 5% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 380 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 298 |
| Share born in this state | 50.2% |
| Share born in another state | 49.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 39.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.2% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 7,269 |
Households & Family Composition
376 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 79% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 217 families, 18% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 109 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 217 |
| Married couples with children | 39 |
| Average household size | 2.42 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 4,885 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 1,899 |
| Family households | 297 households (vs South Carolina 5,968) |
| Households that are families | 79.0% (vs South Carolina 61.8%) |
| Total households | 376 households (vs South Carolina 9,745) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 17.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 8,427 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 17.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 197,830 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 189,403 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 8,427 |
| 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 | 45 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | SC-03 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 45007 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 45 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 007 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Anderson |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 22.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 21.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 24.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 45007 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Anderson County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 9,753 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 45007 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Anderson County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 47.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 41.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 46.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 202,558 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 757, booming, retirement community, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 757 people (vs South Carolina 24,505) |
| Town Summary · County | Anderson County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade