Is Fairview Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fairview Heights

Fairview Heights, Illinois, offers a suburban lifestyle with convenient access to the amenities of the nearby St. Louis metropolitan area. This St. Clair County city is known for its retail centers and residential communities, making it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between urban and rural living.

The city provides a range of housing options and a solid job market, supported by various employers across different sectors. Its location also offers recreational opportunities and a community atmosphere. This overview aims to provide comprehensive information for individuals considering a move to Fairview Heights.

Is it Safe to Live in Fairview Heights?

Fairview Heights experiences a crime rate that is higher than the national average, with property crimes being a significant contributor to this statistic. The overall crime rate is approximately 62% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Fairview Heights is about 1 in 30 (as reported by AreaVibes).

Violent crime in Fairview Heights occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of similar size across America. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 248, which is 13.5% higher than the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes). Property crime rates are also notably higher, with a rate of 30 per 1,000 residents, which is 72.1% higher than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes).

While the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, specific neighborhoods offer varying levels of safety. Residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and Fairview Heights, IL). Your chance of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 14 in the east neighborhoods to 1 in 58 in the northeast (as reported by Fairview Heights, IL).

Demographics and Diversity

Fairview Heights is home to approximately 16,745 residents, with a projected population of 17,003 by 2026 (as reported by Census Reporter and ZoomProspector). The city’s racial composition is diverse, with White residents making up about 51% of the population, followed by Black or African American residents at approximately 27.6% (as reported by Census Dots and Point2Homes). A significant portion of the population, around 12.2%, identifies as multiracial (as reported by Census Dots).

The median age in Fairview Heights is 41 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Census Reporter). The population distribution shows about 17.1% are children under 15, with 11% in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 constitute 26.3% of the population, while another 26.2% are between 45 and 64. Those aged 65 and older represent approximately 19.3% of the residents (as reported by Point2Homes).

Citizenship in Fairview Heights is high, with about 96.8% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The percentage of residents born outside the country is about 7.05% (as reported by Data USA). The poverty rate in Fairview Heights is 8.83% for the population whose poverty status is determined, which is lower than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Fairview Heights is generally lower than the national average. Overall living expenses are approximately 2% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). Housing costs are a significant factor in this lower cost of living, being about 15.1% lower than the national average (as reported by Salary.com).

The median monthly housing cost for a single person is around $1,018, and for a family of four, it is approximately $1,867 (as reported by Salary.com). Rent prices also reflect this affordability, with the median gross rent at $1,174 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types is $1,375 as of May 2026, which is 29% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper).

Other expenses, such as food, energy, transportation, and healthcare, are also below the national average. Food expenses are about 0.3% below average, and combined costs for energy, transportation, and healthcare are approximately 9.6% lower than the national average (as reported by Salary.com). These combined factors contribute to Fairview Heights being considered one of America’s less expensive cities for overall living costs.

Housing Market

The housing market in Fairview Heights is described as very competitive, with a score of 74 out of 100 (as reported by Redfin). The average home value in Fairview Heights was approximately $191,788 as of March 2026, showing a slight increase of 1.8% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median sale price of a home was around $180,000 in March 2026, remaining stable year-over-year (as reported by Redfin).

Homes in Fairview Heights typically sell after about 38 days on the market, which is slightly longer than the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is $139, an increase of 16.8% since last year (as reported by Redfin). For renters, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types was $1,375 as of May 2026 (as reported by Zumper).

The rental market shows a median rent of $1,173 per month as of May 2026, which is 29% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Apartments in Fairview Heights have an average rent of $1,173 for a one-bedroom and around $1,381 for a two-bedroom unit (as reported by Apartments.com). Houses for rent in Fairview Heights are generally more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $1,650 (as reported by Zumper).

Job Market and Major Employers

Fairview Heights has a growing employment sector, with employment increasing by 6.42% from the previous year, reaching over 8,300 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include Healthcare & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). Management Occupations, Office & Administrative Support Occupations, and Sales & Related Occupations are the most common job groups for residents (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Fairview Heights is approximately $42,977 as of May 26, 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Other sources indicate an average annual salary of $43,000 (as reported by Zippia) and a median household income of $80,930 (as reported by Census Reporter and Point2Homes). Major employers in the area include the City of Fairview Heights, Dillard’s, and Walmart, among others (as reported by Zippia and Indeed.com).

The unemployment rate for the county was 5% in 2018, compared to the national average of 4.13% at that time (as reported by Augurisk). However, current unemployment figures for the city are not readily available. Top paying jobs in Fairview Heights include positions within Biolife, banks, and government roles (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Climate

Fairview Heights experiences a climate with significant seasonal variations. Summers are typically hot and muggy, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy (as reported by WorldWeatherOnline). The temperature typically ranges from 24°F to 88°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 8°F or exceeding 96°F (as reported by WorldWeatherOnline).

The hottest month is July, with average high temperatures around 88°F and lows of 69°F. January is the coldest month, with average highs of 40°F and lows of 25°F (as reported by WorldWeatherOnline and myPerfectWeather). The city receives an average annual precipitation of about 44 inches, with May being the wettest month, averaging 4.1 inches of rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Weather & Climate).

Annual snowfall averages around 11 to 14 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). The air can feel uncomfortably humid during the summer months, particularly from July to August (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The most comfortable months for visiting or outdoor activities are generally from mid-April to June and from September to October (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and School Ratings

Fairview Heights is served by public schools with an average ranking of 4 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools (as reported by Niche). Math proficiency scores average 18%, and reading proficiency scores average 23%, both lower than the Illinois state averages (as reported by Niche). Minority enrollment constitutes 63% of the student body, which is higher than the Illinois public school average (as reported by Niche).

The city has four public schools serving approximately 1,207 students (as reported by Niche). Top-ranked public schools include Pontiac Jr High School, Illini Elementary School, and William Holliday Elementary School (as reported by Niche). Illini Elementary School, for example, has an average math proficiency of 20-24% and a reading proficiency of 20-24% (as reported by Niche).

However, many schools in Fairview Heights face challenges. Chronic absenteeism rates are higher than the state average, and proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics is generally below state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). A significant percentage of students receive free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).