| City: | Fairwater, Wisconsin |
| County: | Fond Du Lac County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:27:49 AM |
| Population: | 346 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 274 / 920 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 43.7321, -88.8653 |
| Land Area: | 0.735 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Fairwater is a small rural community in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, where all 346 residents receive mail exclusively through PO Boxes. This is a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no alternative mail delivery across the entire 0.81 square mile territory. Street delivery doesn't exist here. The post office maintains 132 PO Boxes serving 146 households, resulting in a 90% adoption rate that indicates near-universal reliance on box service.
The village combines a compact downtown with surrounding rural routes. Main Street (14 delivery points) and Church Street (5 points) form the core, with several streets containing apartment units. Rural carrier routes extend into the countryside, serving homes on Mary Lane, Grand Woods Circle, and along State Road 44. Two distinct rural routes handle mail for addresses outside the immediate village center.
Fairwater's 346 residents live in a predominantly owner-occupied community. Of 146 households, 118 (81%) are owner-occupied, while 28 are rentals. Median household income stands at $81,667, well above Wisconsin's working-class rural average. The median age of 42 suggests a stable, middle-aged population rather than a retirement or college town. Only 1 of 159 total housing units is marked for seasonal use.
The economy shows unusual diversity for a town this size. Public administration employs 27 workers, while transportation and warehousing accounts for a striking 148 workers in the local workforce. This suggests the presence of a distribution facility or trucking operation serving the region. Federal government workers number 10. Meanwhile, 23% of workers report working from home, higher than typical for rural Wisconsin.
Demographically, Fairwater is 96% White (333 of 346 residents), with 38 Hispanic or Latino residents (11%). Educational attainment is modest: just 14.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The housing stock is old, with 144 of the area's units built before 1939. Median home value sits at $130,200, and median rent at $1,100 monthly.
All mail to Fairwater addresses must use PO Box format. The ZIP code is 53931. Street addresses are not valid for mail delivery in this community.
Traditional small-town street names (Main, Church, Elm) concentrated in compact village center with rural routes extending outward.
ZIP Code 53931 has 346 residents and 146 households (average 2.37 persons per household). The median age is 42.0 years, slightly older than the state (40.1) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.0% male and 48.0% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (96.2%, much higher than the state average of 80.4% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (2.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.9%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 346Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 350Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 470.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $71,250Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 146Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $145,800Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.37Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.80Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 240 | 280 | 229 | 254 | 229 | 240 | 235 | 253 | 220 | 232 | 353 | 339 | 368 | 350 |
| Decennial Census | 237 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 346 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 42
Male Median Age: 45
Female Median Age: 41.4
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 7 | 16 | 7 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 17 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Female | 11 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Total | 18 | 29 | 13 | 30 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 32 | 27 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 6 |
| White: | 333 | 95.14% |
| Black: | 3 | 0.86% |
| Hispanic:* | 10 | 2.86% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 4 | 1.14% |
| Total: | 350 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 180 | 52.02% | 45.0 years |
| Females: | 166 | 47.98% | 41.4 years |
| Total: | 346 | 100% | 42.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 337 | 96.29% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 5 | 1.43% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 6 | 1.71% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2 | 2.29% |
| Total Population: | 350 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 342 | 97.71% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 8 | 2.29% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $71,250, which is far less than the national median ($80,734), is up $17,361 (32.2%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $1,500. Family households earn a median of $94,286 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $94,286). By gender, male median income is $62,500 and female is $42,500, which is well under the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $20,000 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 75.2%, which is much higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.5%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Production (42.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $53,889 | $55,000 | $55,938 | $56,316 | $56,563 | $61,250 | $66,364 | $67,500 | $69,750 | $75,625 | $63,594 | $67,083 | $81,667 | $71,250 |
| Median Family Income | $50,000 | $56,042 | $56,500 | $57,344 | $67,917 | $63,750 | $90,500 | $95,000 | $92,500 | $91,250 | $86,667 | $93,750 | $92,292 | $94,286 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $30,000 | $33,036 | $33,125 | $45,250 | $34,063 | $46,000 | $55,500 | $50,625 | $58,438 | $54,821 | $55,114 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $41,250 | $40,417 | $39,063 | $38,472 | $38,875 | $37,143 | $39,519 | $42,159 | $53,182 | $54,464 | $56,875 | $65,625 | $66,563 | $62,500 |
| Median Female Income | $35,278 | $35,547 | $38,000 | $38,021 | $33,125 | $37,500 | $33,750 | $40,000 | $37,083 | $40,000 | $42,500 | $43,125 | $43,750 | $42,500 |
| Employed: | 181 | 74.79% |
| Unemployed: | 1 | 0.41% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 60 | 24.79% |
| Total: | 242 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 45 | 24.86% |
| Service: | 19 | 10.50% |
| Sales and Office: | 24 | 13.26% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 17 | 9.39% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 76 | 41.99% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 181 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $145,800, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is up $50,800 (53.47%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $40,000. The median gross rent is $988, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is up $288 (41.14%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $225. Of occupied housing, owners make up 81.06% (62.62% with a mortgage, 37.38% free-and-clear) and renters 18.94% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 11.41%, which is markedly above the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $95,000 | $104,800 | $119,200 | $121,200 | $117,500 | $113,800 | $108,900 | $101,000 | $105,800 | $124,000 | $102,800 | $119,000 | $130,200 | $145,800 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 10 | 40.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 8 | 32.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 7 | 28.00% |
| Total: | 25 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $700 | $710 | $760 | $694 | $630 | $710 | $733 | $773 | $763 | $850 | $907 | $965 | $1,100 | $988 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 67 | 50.76% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 40 | 30.30% |
| Renter Occupied: | 25 | 18.94% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 132 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 132 | 88.59% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 17 | 11.41% |
| Total Housing Units: | 149 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 123 | 82.55% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 20 | 13.42% |
| Other Units: | 6 | 4.03% |
| Total Housing Units: | 149 | 100% |
In 2024, 14.10% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 87.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.90%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 10.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 11.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 2.20 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (68.75%). College enrollment is 14.58%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 16 | 7.27% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 12 | 5.45% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 95 | 43.18% |
| Some college, no degree: | 38 | 17.27% |
| Associate's degree: | 28 | 12.73% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 19 | 8.64% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 12 | 5.45% |
| Total: | 220 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 192 | 87.27% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 31 | 14.09% |
| Private Insurance: | 292 | 72.10% |
| Public Insurance: | 110 | 27.16% |
| No Insurance: | 3 | 0.74% |
| Total: | 405 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 402 | 99.26% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 6.1% | 7.1% | 10.7% | 11.5% | 21.4% | 15.2% | 14.3% | 13.7% | 10.6% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 3 | 3.13% |
| Kindergarten: | 4 | 4.17% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 66 | 68.75% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 9 | 9.38% |
| College or graduate school: | 14 | 14.58% |
| Total: | 96 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 7 | 7.29% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 79 | 82.29% |
ZIP Code 53931 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 9 business establishments, employing about 152 people with an annual payroll of $9,336,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 142Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 9Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,724,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $9,336,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 152Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 53931 is located in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, within the Fond du Lac, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 22540) and Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 101,633 people, about 0.34% of whom live in ZIP Code 53931. It covers 0.735 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.018 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Fond du Lac, WISource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 22540Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 101,633Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.735 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.018 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 06Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 4918.39 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5525075Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Fairwater village; WisconsinSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 53931 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.