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CITY · 2020 ACS

Fairmont

West Virginia · 18,416 residents · 8.602 sq mi
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The short version

Fairmont has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,540. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $117,000. The poverty rate of 22.4% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,416
−4%since 2000
from 19,097 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,141 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 2,220 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.1
−6%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
18K19K19K20K20K1990201020202024Fairmont
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,540
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,628 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,659
+54%since 2000
from $16,062 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.4%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.1%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing2.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$117,000
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$786
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $395 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 63.4% in 2000
36.2% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+7%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fairmont on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.5%(17,090)
Black7.2%(1,381)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(157)
Asian0.6%(116)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.4%(3,895)
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.3%(15,332)
Black7.2%(1,324)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(398)
Asian0.6%(106)
Other4.4%(813)
Diversity Score33%(6,084)
Diversity Score
33
+62%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.7%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 80.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.3%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+56%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.4%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.1%
+2.5 ptssince 2011
from 57.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.2%
−26.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.0%
−77.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Fairmont to nearby cities

FAIRMONT VS
Bridgeport
Income$100,022+120%
Home value$291,600+149%
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FAIRMONT VS
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Income$44,727−2%
Home value$259,400+122%
Population30,293+68%
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FAIRMONT VS
Clarksburg
Income$47,386+4%
Home value$129,900+11%
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FAIRMONT VS
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Income$117,014+157%
Home value$367,600+214%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Fairmont, West Virginia?

Fairmont, West Virginia has about 18,416 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Fairmont, West Virginia earns about $45,540 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fairmont, West Virginia expensive?

In Fairmont, West Virginia, the median home is worth about $117,000, and the typical rent is about $786 a month.

How educated are people in Fairmont, West Virginia?

About 28.7% of adults age 25 and over in Fairmont, West Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fairmont, West Virginia?

About 22.4% of people in Fairmont, West Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fairmont, West Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Fairmont, West Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,794 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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

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