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
Fairmont covers 8.6 sq mi of land at 2128 people per square mile.
About Fairmont, WV
Fairmont is a city in West Virginia with a population of 18,303. It ranks #8 among cities in West Virginia by population. The median age is 34.5, younger than the national median. The population is 50.6% male and 49.4% female.
The median household income in Fairmont is $60,791, below the US median of $74,580. 10.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $159,100, with monthly rent averaging $902. The homeownership rate of 61.5% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Fairmont reflects 31.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.4 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).
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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.