Is Fairfield Glade Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fairfield Glade

Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, offers a unique blend of tranquil living with access to recreational opportunities, making it an appealing destination for many, particularly retirees. This community is situated in Cumberland County, known for its natural beauty and a slower pace of life. The area is characterized by its golf courses, lakes, and extensive trail systems, catering to an active lifestyle. Residents often praise the friendly atmosphere and the abundance of activities available, from social gatherings to outdoor pursuits.

The community’s development as a master-planned area on the Cumberland Plateau has shaped its economy, which leans heavily on tourism and services catering to its significant retirement population. While it offers a peaceful retreat, its proximity to larger cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga provides residents with the option to access urban amenities without residing in a bustling environment. This balance between serene living and accessibility is a key draw for those considering a move to Fairfield Glade.

Is it Safe to Live in Fairfield Glade?

Fairfield Glade presents a generally safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate is considered slightly higher than the average US city, with a “C” grade indicating this trend (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). However, the community also ranks in the 41st percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 41% of cities in the United States (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Focusing on specific types of crime, the murder rate is notably low, with a “B+” grade, signifying it is lower than the average US city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Property crime rates are also relatively low, with Fairfield Glade receiving a “B” grade, indicating a rate slightly lower than the average US city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents often perceive the northeast part of the city as the safest, with chances of being a victim of crime varying by neighborhood (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is also lower than the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing

Housing Costs

The housing market in Fairfield Glade presents a median listing price of $449.9K (as reported by realtor.com®). However, other sources indicate a median home value of $356,800 (as reported by Niche) and a median sale price of $357,250 (as reported by Redfin). The median real estate price is $345,755 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Homes typically spend a median of 74 days on the market (as reported by realtor.com®), though recent data shows this has increased significantly to 123 days (as reported by Redfin). The cost of living in Fairfield Glade is 1% higher than the national average, with housing costs being 11% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

The average rent in Fairfield Glade is approximately $1,217 per month (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org), or $2,081 per month (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This places it in the 94th percentile compared to the state average rent (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). For renters, the median income in the area allows for roughly 22% of earnings to be spent on housing (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Fairfield Glade is approximately 1% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This figure is 9% higher than the Tennessee state average (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing costs contribute significantly to this, being 11% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

However, Tennessee does not have a state income tax on wages and salaries, which can significantly reduce the tax burden for residents (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort). Utility costs are also often lower than the national average (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort). This relative affordability, especially for housing compared to larger cities within the state, makes Fairfield Glade an attractive option (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

The economy of Fairfield Glade is largely supported by tourism and services catering to its substantial retirement community. Key employers include Food City, Travel + Leisure Co., and MasterCorp (as reported by Indeed.com). The Fairfield Glade Community Club also plays a role in local employment (as reported by Indeed.com). Healthcare services are a growing sector due to the high proportion of older adults driving demand for specialized care (as reported by Grokipedia).

The total employment in Fairfield Glade was approximately 1,848 workers in a recent year (as reported by Data USA). The primary employment sectors include Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (as reported by Data USA). Many residents are employed in clerical, assistant, and tech support occupations, followed by sales and service jobs (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Salaries and Unemployment

The average salary in Fairfield Glade is approximately $18.37 per hour or $38,215 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $71,682 (as reported by Niche and Census Reporter), and an average annual total compensation of approximately $86,926 for employees at Fairfield Glade (as reported by Fairfield Glade). The unemployment rate in Fairfield Glade stands at 0.6% (as reported by Niche), which is very low. Another report indicates an unemployment rate of 3% (as reported by Point2Homes).

The majority of the working population, about 80.1%, is employed in professional or administrative positions, with the remaining 19.9% in hands-on or service-based jobs (as reported by Point2Homes). Many residents commute less than 15 minutes to work, with most driving alone in a private vehicle (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Climate and Weather

Temperatures and Seasons

Fairfield Glade experiences a climate with warm summers and cold winters. Temperatures typically range from 29°F to 84°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 13°F or exceeding 90°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warmest month is July, with average daily high temperatures around 83°F and lows of 66°F, while January is the coldest, with average highs of 45°F and lows of 29°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

The area experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with July and August often feeling uncomfortably humid (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold, with temperatures frequently in the 30s (as reported by IDcide). The climate is generally mild, offering a range of seasonal experiences from spring blooms to autumn foliage and winter snow (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort).

Rainfall and Snowfall

The annual precipitation in Fairfield Glade averages around 59 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather), with rainfall fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. December is typically the wettest month, with an average of 4.5 inches of rain (as reported by Weather Spark), while March sees the most precipitation overall with an average of 6.07 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The chance of a wet day is higher from late March to mid-August, with July having the most days with precipitation (as reported by Weather Spark).

The snowy period lasts for about two months, typically starting in January and ending in February. February sees the most snowfall, with an average of 2.0 inches, contributing to an annual snowfall of approximately 5 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). There is generally no snowfall from March through December (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education

School Districts and Ratings

The public schools serving Fairfield Glade are part of the Cumberland County School District (as reported by Niche). Stone Memorial High School is a prominent secondary school in the area, receiving a rating of 3.87 out of 5 based on 200 reviews (as reported by Niche). The Phoenix School also serves the community, with a rating of 4.29 out of 5 based on 7 reviews (as reported by Niche).

Overall, the public schools in Fairfield Glade are considered above average (as reported by Niche). Niche ranks the Cumberland County School District #49 out of all school districts in Tennessee, with an overall grade of B (as reported by Niche). Factors considered in these rankings include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, and teacher quality (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

Population and Diversity

Fairfield Glade is home to a population of approximately 9,487 residents (as reported by Data USA and Niche). The population is projected to reach 9,647 by 2026 (as reported by Fairfield Glade, TN Population 2026). The community is predominantly White, with 91.3% of residents identifying as such (as reported by Census Reporter and Fairfield Glade Demographics). Other racial groups include Hispanic (4%) and those identifying with two or more races (2.7%) (as reported by Census Reporter).

The median age in Fairfield Glade is quite high, around 71.1 years, indicating a significant retiree population (as reported by Census Reporter and Fairfield Glade, TN Population 2026). For every 100 females, there are approximately 86.0 males (as reported by Fairfield Glade, TN Population 2026). Citizenship is high, with 98.4% of residents being citizens (as reported by Data USA).

Income and Poverty

The median household income in Fairfield Glade was $71,682 in 2024 (as reported by Census Reporter). This represents a slight decrease of -2.6% from the previous year (as reported by Fairfield Glade, TN Demographics). Households led by residents aged 45 to 64, often well-established professionally, earn a median income of $79,087 (as reported by Fairfield Glade, TN Demographics).

The poverty rate in Fairfield Glade is reported at 7.2% (as reported by Fairfield Glade, TN Population 2026). However, NeighborhoodScout reports that 0.0% of children under seventeen in the neighborhood live below the federal poverty line, ranking it among the lowest neighborhoods affected by this issue in the U.S. (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Overall, 93.3% of locals live above the poverty line (as reported by Fairfield Glade, TN Demographics).

Pros and Cons of Living in Fairfield Glade

Pros

Fairfield Glade offers a peaceful, tranquil environment with a strong sense of community, making it particularly attractive for retirees (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort and Niche). The abundance of recreational activities, including numerous golf courses, lakes, and hiking trails, supports an active lifestyle (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort). Tennessee’s lack of state income tax on wages and salaries is a significant financial advantage (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort).

The cost of living, particularly housing, is relatively affordable compared to larger cities in Tennessee, and utility costs are often below the national average (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort). Residents also appreciate the mild climate with four distinct seasons and the convenience of being within driving distance of larger urban centers like Knoxville and Chattanooga (as reported by Fairfield Glade Resort).

Cons

Despite its many advantages, Fairfield Glade does have some drawbacks. The median home prices are higher than the Tennessee average, with median listing prices reaching $449.9K (as reported by realtor.com®). Crime rates, while not excessively high, are noted as being slightly higher than the average US city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Furthermore, the community has a high median age, indicating a predominantly older population, which may not appeal to those seeking a younger, more dynamic demographic. The job market may also be limited for those not in healthcare or services catering to retirees, and a recent closure of a resort led to job losses (as reported by Grokipedia).