Fairmont, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairmont, West Virginia had a total population of 18,221, the 8th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $63,032, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Fairmont Quick Facts
How Fairmont 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 | 18,303 | 18,221 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $60,791 | $63,032 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $159,100 | $163,800 | +3.0% |
How Fairmont 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+)
Fairmont Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Valley | 3,482 | $67,635 | 9.0% | $213,600 |
| Mannington | 1,829 | $54,286 | 10.4% | $106,000 |
| Barrackville | 1,430 | $78,558 | 4.1% | $167,700 |
| White Hall | 946 | $76,667 | 5.9% | $286,700 |
| Monongah | 837 | $50,875 | 12.1% | $77,300 |
| Rivesville | 627 | $48,000 | 14.0% | $150,700 |
| Idamay | 575 | $98,953 | 17.7% | $111,200 |
| Grant Town | 506 | $64,688 | 25.3% | $105,000 |
| Farmington | 390 | $72,045 | 9.0% | $69,300 |
| Fairview | 267 | $55,583 | 11.6% | $92,400 |
Cities Similar to Fairmont
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weirton | 18,647 | $59,575 | $133,500 | 24.2% | 12.6% |
| Martinsburg | 18,904 | $59,555 | $240,000 | 24.7% | 19.8% |
| Beckley | 16,818 | $45,826 | $158,000 | 29.2% | 28.9% |
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | $129,900 | 25.7% | 23.5% |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | $155,400 | 37.8% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Fairmont is a small city located in West Virginia, within Marion County. The total population is 18,221. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairmont is 34.9 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairmont is $63,032. This is 6% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $163,800. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Fairmont is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairmont is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 3.1%).
Education
32.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% higher 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 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairmont, 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 Fairmont, West Virginia?
Fairmont, West Virginia has a population of 18,221 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairmont, WV?
The median household income in Fairmont is $63,032, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairmont, WV?
The poverty rate in Fairmont is 17.4%. This means approximately 2,992 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairmont, West Virginia?
Fairmont's population is 83.9% White, 6.0% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairmont, WV?
The median home value in Fairmont is $163,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Fairmont, West Virginia?
32.9% of adults (25+) in Fairmont hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.