Fairmont city, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fairmont city, West Virginia has a total population of 18,303, the 8th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $60,791, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Fairmont city Quick Facts
How Fairmont city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 18 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairmont city Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Fairmont city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weirton city | 18,785 | $56,699 | $122,800 | 22.8% | 14.3% |
| Martinsburg city | 18,805 | $54,590 | $231,900 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Clarksburg city | 15,829 | $46,859 | $114,600 | 24.1% | 23.2% |
| Beckley city | 16,977 | $39,939 | $148,800 | 25.9% | 27.0% |
| South Charleston city | 13,594 | $59,616 | $144,800 | 35.3% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Fairmont city is a small city located in West Virginia. The total population is 18,303. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 430 cities and towns in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairmont city is 34.5 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairmont city is $60,791. This is 5% higher than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $159,100. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Fairmont city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairmont city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 85.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.2% vs 3.2%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairmont city, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 430 Census-designated places in West Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fairmont city, West Virginia?
Fairmont city, West Virginia has a population of 18,303 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairmont city, WV?
The median household income in Fairmont city is $60,791, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fairmont city, WV?
The poverty rate in Fairmont city is 17.0%. This means approximately 2,940 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairmont city, West Virginia?
Fairmont city's population is 85.0% White, 6.2% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairmont city, WV?
The median home value in Fairmont city is $159,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Fairmont city, West Virginia?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Fairmont city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.