Fairlea, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairlea, West Virginia had a total population of 1,312, the 122nd largest community in West Virginia, with a median household income of $24,411, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Fairlea Quick Facts
How Fairlea Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,266 | 1,312 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $23,197 | $24,411 | +5.2% |
How Fairlea Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairlea Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Greenbrier County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisburg | 3,835 | $49,560 | 28.1% | $334,900 |
| White Sulphur Springs | 2,549 | $46,178 | 23.2% | $117,000 |
| Rainelle | 1,458 | $35,625 | 29.8% | $80,800 |
| Ronceverte | 1,419 | $41,889 | 25.9% | $130,300 |
| Alderson | 1,383 | $32,212 | 45.8% | $130,400 |
| Rupert | 909 | $28,194 | 50.0% | $104,000 |
| Quinwood | 221 | $36,250 | 33.0% | $77,300 |
| Falling Spring | 182 | N/A | 0.0% | $153,100 |
Cities Similar to Fairlea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesage | 1,329 | N/A | $221,900 | 21.7% | 34.7% |
| Logan | 1,294 | $29,832 | $84,700 | 9.4% | 44.5% |
| Granville | 1,257 | $31,901 | $138,300 | 20.2% | 45.8% |
| Alderson | 1,383 | $32,212 | $130,400 | 12.4% | 45.8% |
| Montgomery | 1,516 | $27,679 | $133,000 | 19.7% | 28.3% |
Population Overview
Fairlea is a small community located in West Virginia, within Greenbrier County. The total population is 1,312. It ranks as the 122nd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairlea is 56.6 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 10.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairlea is $24,411. This is 59% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 70% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.6%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairlea has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.1% vs 0.8%).
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairlea, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairlea, West Virginia?
Fairlea, West Virginia has a population of 1,312 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairlea, WV?
The median household income in Fairlea is $24,411, which is 70% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairlea, WV?
The poverty rate in Fairlea is 27.6%. This means approximately 343 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairlea, West Virginia?
Fairlea's population is 92.7% White, 3.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairlea, WV?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Fairlea — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Fairlea, West Virginia?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Fairlea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.