Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 4 min6:02 am – 9:06 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 17 min7:52 am – 5:09 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People532 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 38.2249 householdsMedian household income $68,250Median home value $150,800Median rent $635 a month80% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,364 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting1.6% unemployment rate74% of adults are in the labour force, 312 employedMain industries: education and health care 33%, wholesale trade 13%, farming, forestry and mining 13%Average commute 20 minutes82% drive alone, 10% car-pool, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages17% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher99% finished high school, 3% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 87°F, lows 66°FColdest month January: highs 35°F, lows 16°F30 in of rain a year, on about 50 dayswettest month May19 in of snow a year, on about 9 days34 days above 90°F, 145 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Clay Ctr station, 8 mi away
Parks and public landsKissinger Basin Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 2.0 miBulrush Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 2.1 mi · 159 acresBluewing Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.8 mi · 77 acresSmartweed Marsh West Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 6.5 miSmartweed Marsh Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 7.7 miWhite Front Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 9.1 mi · 321 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes23 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 4.1 on 1 Mar 202622 mi away, near Cowles, NebraskaMost recent: magnitude 4.1 on 1 Mar 202622 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowClay County, NE, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsHail Relatively HighStrong wind Relatively HighDrought Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality82% of days had good air in 2025278 of 337 days measured57 moderate, 2 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 34, worst day 118main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Hall County, NE, 37 mi away
Internet at home88% of households have a broadband subscription61% have cable, fibre or DSL10% rely on a mobile data plan alone6% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCity of Fairfieldserves 333 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,780 ft543 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalMary Lanning Healthcare18.7 miPost officeFairfield Post Office1.2 miTown hallClay Center City Office8.0 miPoliceClay Center Police Department8.0 miFire stationFairfield Volunteer Fire and Rescue1.3 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportCentral Nebraska Regional Airport GRI39 miMajor airportEppley Airfield OMA131 miInterstateI-8029 miUS highwayUS 614 miAmtrakHastings, NE HAS18 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 68938 ZIP area.
