Fairmont, West Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Fairmont, West Virginia is 18,303 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 8th-largest city in West Virginia. The median household income is $60,791, the median home value is $159,100, and the median age is 34.5.
The population has declined 3.5% since 2010 (18,714 → 18,063).
18,303
Population
2128
People / sq mi
$60,791
Median Income
$159,100
Median Home Value
Get Fairmont's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Fairmont covers 8.6 sq mi of land at 2128 people per square mile.
About Fairmont, WV
In Fairmont, home values do the distinguishing — a median of $159,100. With 18,303 residents, Fairmont is a city in West Virginia. It is the #8-largest of all cities in West Virginia nationally.
The typical household earns $60,791, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 10.8%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $159,100, with typical rent around $902.
Roughly 31.1% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 10.6%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.
Fairmont city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Fairmont city had a population of 18,714 in 2010 and 18,063 in 2024, a -3.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,718 in 2011. Average annual growth rate: -0.25%.
18,063
Population (2024)
18,714
Population (2010)
18,718
Peak (2011)
-0.25%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,714 |
| 2011 | 18,718 |
| 2012 | 18,697 |
| 2013 | 18,647 |
| 2014 | 18,601 |
| 2015 | 18,568 |
| 2016 | 18,469 |
| 2017 | 18,430 |
| 2018 | 18,431 |
| 2019 | 18,388 |
| 2020 | 18,414 |
| 2021 | 18,320 |
| 2022 | 18,187 |
| 2023 | 18,148 |
| 2024 | 18,063 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.4% |
| Black or African American | 6.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$60,791
Median Household Income
$31,722
Per Capita Income
10.8%
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$159,100
Median Home Value
$902
Median Rent
61.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
92.7%
High School+
31.1%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.5%
Drive Alone
71.8%
Public Transit
10.6%
Work From Home
21.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
25.9%
Foreign Born
98.0%
Non-English at Home
7.7%
Veterans
17.8%
With Disability
92.8%
Health Insurance
94.1%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 28.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 11.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 7.2% |
| Public Administration | 7.2% |
| Construction | 5.4% |
| Retail Trade | 5.1% |
| Manufacturing | 4.7% |
| Information | 3.3% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.0% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.4% |
Largest cities in West Virginia
Largest counties in West Virginia
Part of West Virginia
Metro areas in West Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairmont, West Virginia has a population of 18,303 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 8th-largest city in West Virginia.
The median household income in Fairmont, West Virginia is $60,791, with 10.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Fairmont, West Virginia is $159,100, with median monthly rent at $902 and a homeownership rate of 61.5%.
The median age in Fairmont, West Virginia is 34.5 years. The population is 50.6% male and 49.4% female.
The population has declined 3.5% since 2010 (18,714 → 18,063).
Where to stay in Fairmont
Visiting or relocating to Fairmont, WV? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
More from West Virginia
Population 47,918
Population 46,189
Population 30,273
Population 29,461
Population 26,670
Full rankings of West Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for West Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across West Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.