Population

Fairhope is located in Baldwin County, one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama.  Between 1980 and 1990, Baldwin County grew in population by 25.1 percent, with Fairhope growing even faster at 38.6%.   Although both have seen tremendous growth, in actual numbers Fairhope’s growth has been more steady, given its smaller size relative to the County.  In 1998, Fairhope’s overall population was slightly over 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fairhope’s growth is a result of two factors: in-migration and annexation.  The character, history, location, climate, and quality of life of the community are attractive to a range of people who chose to relocate, and in some cases, retire in Fairhope.   Indeed, the percentage of residents aged 65 and over is the largest portion of the overall age distribution and is a growing percentage of the population.  This is compared to the groups of under 5, 5-14, 15-24, and 25-34, all of which saw population decreases between 1980 and 1990.  Money magazine has recognized Fairhope as one of the top retirement communities in the nation, reinforcing the relocation decisions of many of the City’s senior residents.

Annexations also served to increase the population.  In the early 1990s, City annexations included the subdivisions of Rock Creek and the Woodlands and lots throughout Montrose.  As these areas and the existing un-built portions of the City continue to develop, Fairhope will experience population growth and development demands.

Employment

According to the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, there are some 746 businesses in Fairhope, with over 4700 employees.  The largest employer in Fairhope is Thomas Hospital, followed by Marriott’s Grand Hotel, Goodyear Aerospace and Print Excel.  Other employers include the Emperor Clock Company, Harbor Furniture Manufacturing, and Hoover Material Systems.  Service sector jobs are the major percentage of employment as a group, followed by a catchall category including manufacturing, and then retail jobs.

The average household income is $43,522, while the median household income is $32,158.   Income within the City is higher than Baldwin County, with a similar distribution of lower incomes but with City family exceeding County family incomes in the upper income ranges.  In 1989, Fairhope had the fourth highest per capita income in Baldwin County, following Daphne, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach.

Founded in 1894, Fairhope, Alabama has evolved into a growing community of almost 10,000 citizens (1990 census). Many have found Fairhope an ideal place to start a family or to retire.  Evidence for this can be found in the large single family housing stock.  This large stock is supported by commercial, public, green space, and light industrial land uses that are interwoven throughout the town.  This has created a healthy balance that attracts people, some as tourists and others that call Fairhope home.

Today, Fairhope’s land use is dominated by single family housing.  Both older neighborhoods and newer subdivisions can be seen throughout the community.  Significant single family residential can be found along the northern Section Street and U.S. 98 corridors, along Twin Beech and Gayfer.  Between 1990 and 1994 almost 600 single-family units were built.  This low-density land use has steadily expanded north and east from the oldest parts of Fairhope.

Downtown Fairhope

Older sections of Fairhope are located around the intersection of Section and Fairhope Avenue. At this location, some multifamily housing can also be found.  Other multifamily homes are located north of Gayfer, east of Greeno, and north of Fairhope Avenue.

At the northern end of Fairhope, a long established single family residential district, known as Montrose, exists.  Over a number of years, annexations have occurred on a lot by lot basis.  Portions of the annexed property have been previously designated as a historic district.

With over 25% of Fairhope’s employment in trade and entertainment services, commercial land use is an important part of the community.  The majority of the commercial land can be found in Downtown Fairhope, as well as along the stretch of Greeno between Fairhope Avenue and Twin Beech. Commercial is also located at Section and Gayfer and along South Mobile Street.

Most of the commercial pockets supply the immediate neighborhoods with goods and services.  The larger commercial centers, including Downtown and the Greeno Corridor, serve the larger area residents and visiting tourists.  These commercial centers have shops and boutiques catering to visitors, as well as service commercial that caters to adjacent neighborhoods.

Education, government, churches and other institutions make up the public land use category.  Much of the community’s public uses are located south of Gayfer.  Seven schools make up the town’s public and private school systems and over 2,000 students attend one of the two local higher learning institutions.  Federal, state, and local government offices can be found in Fairhope as well.  Almost 500 people are employed at these government offices.  Other large concentrations of public land uses can be found along Section south of Gayfer and on southern U.S. 98.

Parks and green space are an important resource to any community.  Green spaces provide a place for relaxation and recreation -- a sanctuary for the people of a community.  Fairhope has green spaces interspersed throughout the community.  Most of the larger green spaces are located south of Highway 104. Other parks can be found along Section south of Gayfer and at the intersection of Mobile Street and Fairhope Avenue.  Other open spaces, such as golf courses, ball fields, and beaches are available to the residents and visitors of Fairhope.

Fairhope is not a community known for its industrial base; however, hundreds of jobs are supplied by this sector.  As of 1994 seven companies employed 15 or more people.  Many companies, such as Rohr Aero Services and Poser Business Forms, have over 70 employees.  Virtually all of the light industrial land use is located south Greeno or in the vicinity of the airport.  Most of the light industrial is buffered from single family residential uses by neighboring commercial and/or public land uses

Perhaps more important than the location of the individual types of land use discussed above is the relation to its surrounding land uses.  Problems can occur when adjacent land uses do not relate properly to each other.  Examples range from residential subdivisions encroaching on agricultural land, to commercial, institutional or industrial uses interfacing with neighborhoods, to commercial vacancies occurring due to lack of a population base.

Existing Land Use

The intersection of Section and Fairhope constitutes the center of Fairhope’s downtown.  It is a central commercial core incorporated with mixed-use multi-family residential and public land uses, all in close proximity.  As one moves away from this intersection, single family residential becomes more prevalent.  Larger lots and newer subdivisions are more common to the north and east along Main Street and Fairhope Avenue.  The other prominent commercial land use exists in the form of a corridor along Greeno.  Both public and light industrial uses can be found within this corridor.

Fairhope is a small but growing community with a strong residential base. Fairhope has a good combination of commercial, public, green space, and light industrial land use that creates an environment for good jobs, strong schools, and goods and services for residents and visitors.  Maintaining and expanding on these community strengths is crucial to ensuring that future land use decisions enhance the quality of life Fairhope residents have come to enjoy.

From Downtown to its older neighborhoods, to its waterfront, Fairhope exhibits excellence in architectural character.  This character can be described through several factors.

Overall Urban Design Framework

From its founding until after World War II, Fairhope developed within a consistent urban design framework.  The scale and relationship among the City’s districts, linkages such as parks, natural features such as terrain and views, and landscape treatment are all unifying factors.  A challenge for the future of Fairhope is to honor these urban design traditions in newer development.

Parks, terrain and views

Building Scale

Whether residential or commercial, buildings in Fairhope have historically conformed to a common scale.  Although building materials and architectural themes may vary, the scale of buildings, fenestration such as windows and doors, and rooflines are visually complementary.  All types of newer developments, however, have often imported a style and scale inconsistent with Fairhope’s image.

Landscape/ Streetscape Treatment

Fairhope’s climate makes it conducive to a bountiful and coordinated landscape treatment.  From special pedestrian paving materials to colorful seasonal plantings, landscape and streetscape treatments add a “finishing touch” to Fairhope’s design image.  These treatments require an ongoing maintenance program, to which the City is committed.

Landscape/streetscape treatment

For Fairhope to grow in harmony with these architectural and landscape legacies, future developers must understand and adhere to these urban design principles.