Fairplay sees housing boom as affordable alternative to Summit County

Fairplay, Colorado, the inspiration behind the animated sitcom "South Park," is experiencing a construction boom. The town, known for its scenic landscapes and outdoor activities like fly-fishing and hiking, offers a more affordable housing market compared to nearby Summit County.

Local real estate agent Scott Lindblom from Sotheby’s notes that Park County is becoming a significant part of his business due to its affordability and appeal. "The bulk of my business is more and more becoming Park County," says Lindblom. "It’s because of the value."

In contrast to Summit County's median home price of $2 million, homes in Park County are priced around $575,000. The Village at Spruce Hill is a new development in Fairplay featuring single-family homes ranging from $545,000 to $650,000.

Developer Zak Richardson highlights the growth potential in Fairplay: “This is a town where we see a lot of growth potential,” he says. Joel Berner, an economist at Realtor.com, also points out that 76% of sales in Park County were under $500,000 in 2024.

New resident Lauren Richards moved from Silverthorne to Fairplay for financial reasons and enjoys her new home without the high homeowners association fees typical in Summit. She mentions the charm of living in what feels like an episode of "South Park."

Anthony Sole from Sotheby’s describes Fairplay as “The Actual South Park Town” in a YouTube video tour, showing off local attractions like South Park City Museum.

Despite being less developed than Denver regarding new constructions—only 4.3% of listings were new builds—Park County remains attractive for those seeking affordable housing near outdoor recreational areas.