As the home of Ohio's biggest single-site employer, separating the city of Fairborn from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is difficult, if not impossible. "We're very patriotic, and we appreciate living near the base," says Linda Riffle of United Inc. Realtors. The base is the city's primary employer, although nearby healthcare facilities, like Soin Medical Center, are close behind. People come from all over the country to work for the base and attend its defense-focused graduate school. "A lot of people stationed at Wright Patterson stay in Fairborn, even when they retire," says Emily Gay, the city's communications manager.
While military personnel and their families are a significant part of the population, over 33,000 people call Fairborn home, including Wright State University students. The university's graduates play a pivotal role in the city's growth, inspiring new housing and industrial initiatives targeted toward retaining young professionals. This, coupled with the city's classic architecture and united sense of civic pride, creates a lifestyle that values both progress and tradition. "People say Fairborn feels like an all-American town, like a Main Street USA," Gay says.
You can watch F-16s from the 180th Fighter Wing take off from from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn.
The Soin Medical Center is the second largest employer in Fairborn.
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Growing options for first-time homeowners
Many people live within the city's more established subdivisions, each with a mix of bungalows, bi-level houses and ranch-style homes. These grew during the population boom of the 1960s and 1970s, driven by the growth of Wright-Patterson, and most homes reflect the design of the times. Rental options surround the university, and the city has a higher percentage of renters than the national average – although it’s common amongst cities near military bases and universities. As the city expands, its focus has shifted toward increasing home ownership. Recently built neighborhoods offer condominiums and New Traditional homes priced around the city's median home price of $212,000, substantially lower than the national median of $407,000.
New homes in Fairborn offer Craftsman and modern farmhouse flair.
A cozy brick home sits on a quiet street in Fairborn.
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Developing industry and Halloween spirit
Mom-and-pop businesses are pillars of the city's commercial scene. Initially opened in 1929, Foy's Halloween and Variety Store is the oldest store in Fairborn. "They even have their original creaky wood floors," Riffle says. The family-owned store attracts people from all over the state with its massive Halloween costume and candy inventory. The city's farmers market opens every Wednesday in Main Street Commons during summer and mid-fall. Local artisans and farmers sell flowers, honey, preserves and other homemade items.
The city is growing by developing key districts into supportive environments for start-up businesses and emerging industries. Concept plans are in place for three new districts and a major downtown redevelopment project.
Fairborn shop, Foy's, hosts a huge Halloween Parade each year for residents.
The toys at Bookery Fantasy Collectibles in Fairborn will bring you back to your childhood.
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Fairborn City School District is full of new facilities
Wright State University is the city's premier university, teaching over 11,000 students beside Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Within the base is The Air Force Institute of Technology, which specializes in engineering, aviation and aerospace fields of study.
Most children attend the Fairborn City School District, although parts of the city are under the Beavercreek City School District. The districts have B-minus and A-minus ratings on Niche, respectively. The B-minus-rated Fairborn High School began the 2024 school year with a new $95 million complex, including an 11,000-square-foot multi-sport facility.
Wright State University is the Fairborn's premier university educating over 11,000 students.
Fairborn High School is a public high school for grades 9-12.
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Air Force Marathon gets worldwide recognition
The Air Force Marathon is the city's biggest event of the year. "Runners from all over the world come in for the marathon, and it brings a lot of attention to the city," Gay says. Celebrated each September, two miles of the marathon pass through Fairborn's downtown, which shuts down to become "The Fly Zone." Streets overflow with colorful decorations, flags and enthusiastic onlookers cheering on participants. Non-military events, including free outdoor concerts on summer Fridays in Community Park and the annual Sweet Corn Festival, are also popular. Fall holidays are in another league, with thousands gathering for Main Street's Halloween Festival and Spooktacular Parade. In 2025, Fairborn will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a contest to create the city's first flag.
Exploring preserved coral reefs at Oake's Quarry
Fairborn has over 1,000 acres of wetlands, nature preserves, historic gardens and traditional parks. Community Park is a hub for recreation with assorted sports courts, fishing spots and an amphitheater for festivals. The Garland Wetland Reserve's trails wind past native vernal pools, and "Oake's Quarry has Pearl's Fen, one of Ohio's best wetlands areas," Riffle says. With over 230 acres of old-growth forest and grass prairie, visitors can horseback ride on the trails or admire coral reefs and limestone preserved in the park's fossil beds.
Pearl's Fen in Fairborn is a peat wetland containing a rich diversity of plant and animal life.
Children of Fairborn love to play at the many parks around the city.
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Around the corner from the Crossroads of America
Interstate 675 slices through Fairborn and connects with Interstate 70 in about 2 miles. North of Dayton, I-70 intersects with Interstate 75, leading to larger cities like Cincinnati and Columbus, roughly 60 miles and 70 miles away, respectively. Public transportation is available through the county Greene CATS Public Transit service, while Greater Dayton RTA Bus Route 1 offering service from the university to Downtown Dayton. The closest airport is Dayton International, about 16 miles away.
Crime rates and weather trends
The FBI states that violent crime rates in Fairborn are higher than the national average, but property crimes are lower. The Fairborn Police Department reports that the city saw a significant drop in total incidents between 2022 and 2023.
Annual weather is moderate, with the city experiencing four distinct seasons. Extreme weather events are rare, even during the hottest and coldest months. "We get just enough snow to make it feel like winter," says Gay.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Shawn Miller
Video By
Max Gilmore
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Fairborn, OH sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairborn, OH over the last 12 months is $230,250, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Motivated Seller! Welcome to 1537 Meadowlands, a truly one-of-a-kind estate on over 4 acres, offering more than 4,500 square feet of living space and approximately 7,500 square feet when including the incredible heated and cooled aquatic addition. This exceptional 5-bedroom, 4-bath home combines luxury, privacy, and resort-style amenities. Inside, you'll find spacious living areas designed for
Lovingly maintained and updated by the same owner for over 20 years, this Rona Hills ranch home reflects years of exceptional care and pride of ownership. Offering comfortable one-level living, a functional floor plan, and a welcoming atmosphere, this home provides a wonderful opportunity for its next owner to enjoy immediately while adding their own personal touches over time. Finished basement
Gorgeous move-in ready home in Fairborn! This four bedroom, two and a half bath home has lots of updates with plenty of room to grow in the full, unfinished basement with plumbing for additional bathroom. Newer hardwood flooring throughout the main level and bedroom/office upstairs. Primary bathroom fully updated in 2025 with two-person jetted tub with 12 jets and dedicated water heater, heated
Discover an exceptional opportunity to own a rare five-bedroom ranch home, ideally situated in the vibrant heart of Fairborn, Ohio. This residence seamlessly combines classic appeal with contemporary enhancements, offering a truly move-in ready experience. Recent upgrades include new flooring, fresh paint, modern fixtures, water heater, vanity, light fixtures, insulated garage door, garage door
Gorgeous fully remodeled manufactured home located in a desirable 55+ community of South Point Village! This move-in-ready home features 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths with beautiful updates throughout, including new carpet, ceramic tile, and professional finished drywall. The spacious kitchen offers plenty of cabinet and counter space and opens directly to the large covered front porch-perfect for
Motivated Seller! Welcome to 1537 Meadowlands, a truly one-of-a-kind estate on over 4 acres, offering more than 4,500 square feet of living space and approximately 7,500 square feet when including the incredible heated and cooled aquatic addition. This exceptional 5-bedroom, 4-bath home combines luxury, privacy, and resort-style amenities. Inside, you'll find spacious living areas designed for
Welcome Home! Discover an exceptional living experience in this truly special Waterford Landing residence, where meticulous care and thoughtful design converge to create an unparalleled home. This remarkable property offers an expansive 3,721 square feet of living space, perfectly situated on a desirable corner lot. The main floor welcomes you with elegant nine-foot ceilings and stunning hardwood
Cul-de-sac lot with wooded backdrop in Park Hills Crossing's 55+ community, this is the one buyers wait for! This beautifully maintained 3 bed, 2 bath home in a 55+ community, ideally situated on a cul-de-sac lot near the clubhouse. With over 1,700 sq ft, this home offers an open-concept layout, spacious kitchen with island, abundant cabinetry, and a walk-in pantry with custom shelving. Major
Well-maintained 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home with a 2-car garage featuring numerous recent updates throughout. Improvements include a new furnace and central air unit, new water heater, updated door locks, new hall light, ceiling fans, and outdoor lighting. The inside of the home was painted less than two years ago and offers new vinyl plank flooring in two bedrooms, the hallway, living room, and
Welcome to this spacious 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home in Fairborn offering over 2,000 square feet of comfortable living space and a 3-car garage. Situated on a huge fenced corner lot backing up to the community pond, this home combines peaceful views with an ideal location just minutes from WPAFB, major highways, shopping, and dining.The open-concept floor plan is perfect for everyday living and
Welcome Home! Nestled on over an acre of land, this beautifully updated 3-bedroom brick ranch with a full basement offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and space. Step inside to a spacious living room featuring durable luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring that flows seamlessly into the expanded eat-in kitchen. The fully remodeled kitchen boasts brand-new cabinetry, stunning granite
Discover an exceptional opportunity in Fairborn, where comfort meets convenience. This delightful single-family residence, nestled at 187 Pat Ln, offers a welcoming atmosphere with its thoughtfully designed living spaces. The property provides a serene retreat, perfectly balancing peaceful living with accessibility to local amenities. The exterior boasts practical features such a fence, enhancing
Check out this charming starter home that has been completely updated from top to bottom! Recent improvements include a new roof (2025) 2 ton HVAC (2023), Flooring (2026) Siding (2026), Bath (2025), Fresh paint, light fixtures and renovated Kitchen. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, this move-in-ready home offers convenient access to I-675, WPAFB, Wright State University, endless shopping and
Fantastic opportunity to own 11.8 acres on Trebein Rd. directly across from the north end of the truck terminal. The current zoning is A1, but possible uses may include Light Industrial among others. Great interstate access; 3-5 minutes from I-675 exit 20. Line drawings for representative purposes only.
Discover an exceptional opportunity in Fairborn, where a generous, verdant lot awaits your vision for a dream home. This spacious property, spanning 0.14 acres, is bordered by mature trees, creating a serene and private atmosphere. The tranquil neighborhood setting enhances the appeal, offering a peaceful retreat while maintaining convenient access to local amenities. This lot provides the
Prime at Wright has the perfect layout for your lifestyle while offering top-notch security and garage parking. We are located near all of the Greater-Dayton area campuses – Wright State University, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton.
Discover your new home at Ivy Manor Apartments. This property is situated on W. Funderburg Rd. in the 45324 area of Fairborn. When you choose an apartment at Ivy Manor Apartments, you'll have access to top features and amenities including: convenient on-site parking options, and high-speed internet access. Stop looking and get moving. Contact or stop by Ivy Manor Apartments to discuss your new
Avalon Place is the perfect community to call home. Located in Fairborn, residents can enjoy the plethora of amenities that our neighborhood has to offer. Serve it up on our sand volleyball court, have fun at the playground, or relax in our sparkling swimming pool. Featuring one, two, and three bedroom apartments and townhomes for rent, Avalon Place is the perfect choice for any lifestyle.
Price: Starting at only $889/monthUtilities: Flat Fee of $200/mo (electricity, gas, water, trash, sewer)Available Apartments: Studio, 1 BD / 1 BA, 2 BD / 1 BASize: Up To 730+ Sqft of Living Space**Features**Laundry Facilities AvailableAll utilities included in flat fee of $200/monthCable Available for an additional $30/monthFast Maintenance and
Breckenridge Apartments is conveniently located in Fairborn, OH. Our pet-friendly community offers 1 and 2 bedroom apartments that feature oversized closets and spacious kitchens. Our community has beautifully landscaped grounds that offer an on-site laundry facility, 24-hour emergency maintenance, and on-site, professional management.
Enjoy a fully furnished studio suite in our hotel at an affordable rate with free wi-fi, free utilities and free premium cable. Each studio suite has a full kitchen with full-size refrigerator, stovetop and microwave, and has a flexible workspace and plenty of storage. All our hotels are pet-friendly and have on-site guest laundry available. Plus, there are no long-term commitments and you can
Treeborn Apartments feature a single story design with studio and one bedroom apartment homes. We are walking distance from the Community East City Park which has swimming, tennis, a track and a picnic area. We are located close to shopping and entertainment with the Fairfield Commons Mall and Nutter Center minutes away. Every home comes with a private entrance and patio space. Apartments come
Come home to Communities at Channingway in Fairborn, OH. Here at Communities at Channingway, you'll have a wide selection of features and amenities like washers and dryers, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and two pools. The leasing staff is excited to help you find your ideal place. It's time to love where you live. Stop by for a visit today.
Welcome to Meadowrun Apartments! Our community offers 2 bedroom apartments for rent in Fairborn, OH! Enjoy the many amenities that Meadowrun Apartments has to offer including a swimming pool, full basketball courts, fitness center, and walking trails. We are adjacent to Wright State University, minutes to great shopping at The Mall at Fairfield Commons, The Greene, and only two miles to Wright
Experience comfort and convenience in our beautifully designed 1- and 3-bedroom apartments, each featuring private patios or balconies, fully equipped kitchens, and washer/dryer connections in select units. Whether you're enjoying quiet moments at home or exploring all the vibrant local attractions, Prime at Laurel Springs has everything you need.Located in the heart of Fairborn, our
Experience modern apartment living at Windsor Place, a beautifully maintained, pet-friendly community in one of Beavercreek’s most convenient locations.Choose from thoughtfully designed two- and three-bedroom apartment homes featuring open living spaces, contemporary finishes, and the everyday conveniences you expect. Each home includes a modern kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, an
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