The numbers behind Medicare in Fairfield County
| Fairfield County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 5,103 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 25.0% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 6,419 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 3,513 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 54.7% | 46.7% statewide |
Sources: Census Bureau 2023 estimates and CMS Medicare Advantage penetration, September 2026.
With roughly 5,103 residents age 65 and older, Fairfield County is 36th among 46 South Carolina counties for older residents. That group is 25.0% of its population, compared with 19.3% across South Carolina. About 1,823 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 62% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 7% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 54.7% of Fairfield County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 46.7% average across South Carolina. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Fairfield County
Fairfield County is a metro county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population. Metro counties usually have more hospitals and more insurers competing for Medicare members, so there can be more plans to compare.
CMS counts 6,305 Medicare beneficiaries in Fairfield County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 11% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 7%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Fairfield County, CMS reported about 625 emergency room visits and 197 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (563) and close to it for hospital stays (202). About 9% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Fairfield County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Fairfield County; we help Fairfield County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Fairfield County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Fairfield County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Where people live in Fairfield County
People in Fairfield County live in communities such as Winnsboro (3,264), Ridgeway (256), Blythewood (127), Jenkinsville (40) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Fairfield County, that means areas such as 29014, 29015, 29065, 29130, 29180, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Fairfield County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Fairfield County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Fairfield County households, including ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Ready to compare plans in Fairfield County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonMedicare guides for Fairfield County residents
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Fairfield County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgefield County | 5,677 | 50.1% | 7% | Metro |
| Union County | 5,904 | 60.6% | 11% | Metro |
| Saluda County | 4,015 | 40.4% | 10% | Metro |
| Chester County | 6,384 | 55.0% | 11% | Metro |
| Calhoun County | 3,569 | 49.5% | 9% | Metro |
| Jasper County | 8,375 | 38.7% | 5% | Metro |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.