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CITY

Fairlea

West Virginia · 1,312 residents · 3.739 sq mi
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The short version

Fairlea has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $24,411. Population has fallen 23% since 2000, a loss of 394 residents. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. With a median age of 56.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 27.6% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 56.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
53% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,312
−23%since 2000
from 1,706 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
351 / sq mi
−23%since 2000
from 456 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
56.6
+37%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Fairlea
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$24,411
−35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,664 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,446
+95%since 2000
from $16,146 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
10.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 27.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.574
+55%since 2010
from 0.370 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information31.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade12.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance8.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade3.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$957
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $458 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.4%
−18.3 ptssince 2000
from 71.7% in 2000
46.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
77.3%
+34.0 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fairlea on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(1,631)
Black1.2%(20)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(24)
Asian0.8%(13)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.2%(141)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(1,216)
Black3.2%(42)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian4.1%(54)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score17.3%(227)
Diversity Score
17
+110%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.7%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.5%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+62%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.2%
−11.6 ptssince 2009
from 87.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
21.4%
+18.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.8%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−15.6 ptssince 2011
from 18.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
35.9%
−24.5 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.8%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.3%
−18.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
Female
54.6%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.2%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.3%
+7.5 ptssince 2012
from 20.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.8%
−74.7 ptssince 2013
from 78.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
68.2%
+6.5 ptssince 2017
from 61.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2016
from 98.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Fairlea, West Virginia?

Fairlea, West Virginia has about 1,312 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Fairlea, West Virginia?

The typical household in Fairlea, West Virginia earns about $24,411 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fairlea, West Virginia expensive?

In Fairlea, West Virginia, the typical rent is about $957 a month.

How educated are people in Fairlea, West Virginia?

About 16.3% of adults age 25 and over in Fairlea, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fairlea, West Virginia?

About 27.6% of people in Fairlea, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fairlea, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Fairlea, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 431 residents, a change of about -25 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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