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CITY · 2020 ACS

Fairlea

West Virginia · 1,720 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 $30,582. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. With a median age of 47.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. The poverty rate of 23.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the West Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 47.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Owner-heavy
61% owner-occupied
US average: 63%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,720
+1%since 2000
from 1,706 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
460 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 456 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
47.7
+15%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Fairlea
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,582
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,664 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,220
+13%since 2000
from $16,146 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.4%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.4%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 27.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information18.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food5.4%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$772
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $458 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.8%
−10.9 ptssince 2000
from 71.7% in 2000
39.2% rent
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.8%(1,528)
Black2%(35)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(53)
Asian1.7%(30)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score17.1%(293)
Diversity Score
17
+107%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
79.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 77.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.4%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+15%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
98.2%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 87.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
−12.2 ptssince 2011
from 18.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.4%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
12.3%
−49.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.9%
+14.6 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
Female
46.1%
−14.6 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.5%
−77.0 ptssince 2013
from 78.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Fairlea, West Virginia?

Fairlea, West Virginia has about 1,720 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Fairlea, West Virginia earns about $30,582 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 $772 a month.

How educated are people in Fairlea, West Virginia?

About 12.1% 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 23.4% 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 23 residents, a change of about -1 percent over that period.

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

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