Small-town market profile · West Virginia
Fairmont, WV area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Fairmont area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 55,584
- −1.2% since 2020
- Households
- 23,339
- Median household income
- $67,370
- +33.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $166,700
- Jobs located here
- 18,773
- Highest market score
- 80
- Lawn, cleaning and pest control, #22 of 481 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Fairmont area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Fairmont area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 55,584 people live in the Fairmont area, in 23,339 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Fairmont area from 2020 to 2025 at −1.2%, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median household income in the Fairmont area is $67,370 a year, 17% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 33.9% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Fairmont area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 118, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (63).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Fairmont area are for lawn care, cleaning and pest control companies (80); clothing and shoe stores (72); and HVAC and plumbing companies (71). The Fairmont area ranks #22 of 481 scored small-town markets for lawn care, cleaning and pest control companies.
The Fairmont area is made up of one county, Marion County. For its number of households, the Fairmont area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for convenience stores (93% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate agents and brokers (65% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Fairmont area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Fairmont area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 80 | #22 of 481 | 5 | 2.1 | $6.4M | 381 | 15 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 72 | #77 of 536 | 14 | 6.0 | $2.9M | 227 | 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 71 | #45 of 476 | 8 | 3.4 | $7.8M | 164 | 15 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 69 | #101 of 536 | 27 | 11.6 | $1.5M | 170 | 3 |
| Home repair trades | 68 | #63 of 526 | 16 | 6.9 | $3.9M | 160 | 31 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 66 | #82 of 507 | 13 | 5.6 | $6.2M | 150 | 7 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 65 | #78 of 533 | 25 | 10.7 | Index only | 244 | 10 |
| Real estate | 65 | #87 of 536 | 35 | 15.0 | Index only | 219 | 15 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 64 | #110 of 529 | 16 | 6.9 | $5M | 136 | 7 |
| Electricians | 60 | #87 of 295 | 6 | 2.6 | $10.4M | 86 | 12 |
| Pet businesses | 60 | #147 of 527 | 24 | 10.3 | $789K | 90 | 10 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 57 | #188 of 538 | 197 | 84.4 | $410K | 111 | 92 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 54 | #163 of 387 | 11 | 4.7 | $1.7M | 68 | 4 |
| Barbershops | 54 | #164 of 377 | 7 | 3.0 | $2.8M | 147 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | 53 | #187 of 398 | 10 | 4.3 | $1.9M | 70 | 6 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 53 | #230 of 538 | 98 | 42.0 | $824K | 124 | 43 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 52 | #271 of 538 | 57 | 24.4 | $2.4M | 70 | 11 |
| Insurance agencies | 51 | #259 of 537 | 41 | 17.6 | $1.3M | 105 | 18 |
| Pizza | 50 | #253 of 520 | 18 | 7.7 | $4.5M | 88 | 42 |
| Grocery stores | 50 | #269 of 506 | 18 | 7.7 | $7.5M | 80 | 8 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 48 | #222 of 400 | 7 | 3.0 | $3.4M | 110 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 48 | #295 of 538 | 40 | 17.1 | $481K | 108 | 24 |
| Convenience stores | 48 | #307 of 529 | 36 | 15.4 | $3.7M | 47 | 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | 47 | #238 of 441 | 6 | 2.6 | $3.2M | 127 | 5 |
| Physical therapy | 46 | #236 of 400 | 8 | 3.4 | $3M | 126 | 9 |
| Chiropractors | 46 | #239 of 426 | 10 | 4.3 | $2.4M | 101 | 6 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 45 | #322 of 538 | 126 | 54.0 | $191K | 126 | 56 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 44 | #238 of 387 | 6 | 2.6 | $3.2M | 104 | 7 |
| Nail salons | 42 | #251 of 387 | 10 | 4.3 | $1.9M | 116 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 42 | #300 of 458 | 16 | 6.9 | $1.5M | 85 | 22 |
| Child care and preschools | 41 | #310 of 454 | 14 | 6.0 | $636K | 64 | 13 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 41 | #359 of 537 | 36 | 15.4 | $2.2M | 73 | 42 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 41 | #379 of 538 | 88 | 37.7 | $220K | 104 | 13 |
| Spas and skin care | 40 | #370 of 504 | 23 | 9.9 | $843K | 96 | 3 |
| Hair salons | 40 | #381 of 538 | 48 | 20.6 | $404K | 94 | 9 |
| Auto repair and car care | 39 | #385 of 538 | 76 | 32.6 | $253K | 94 | 38 |
| Laundromats | 38 | #106 of 150 | 6 | 2.6 | $6.7M | 54 | Under 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 37 | #423 of 535 | 35 | 15.0 | $413K | 62 | 4 |
| Gyms | 34 | #422 of 506 | 23 | 9.9 | $629K | 48 | 4 |
| Funeral homes | 31 | #309 of 365 | 9 | 3.9 | $373K | 55 | 9 |
| Gas stations | 30 | #462 of 536 | 47 | 20.1 | $1.3M | 56 | 32 |
| Tire shops | 29 | #358 of 431 | 11 | 4.7 | $1.7M | 70 | 6 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 29 | #457 of 526 | 24 | 10.3 | $1M | 102 | 19 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 23 | #352 of 378 | 11 | 4.7 | $1.3M | 65 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.7 | $8M | 273 | 11 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.7 | Index only | 213 | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.7 | Index only | 150 | 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.9 | $20.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.9 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.9 | $9.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.9 | $31.2M | Too few | 4 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $19.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $32M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.4 | $14.5M | Too few | 4 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 4 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Fairmont area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $19.2M | $824 | 86 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $62.7M | $2,689 | 104 |
| Food away from home | $80.7M | $3,459 | 85 |
| Groceries | $134.4M | $5,760 | 91 |
| Personal care products and services | $19.4M | $831 | 83 |
| Child care and other personal services | $8.9M | $382 | 66 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $14.5M | $620 | 63 |
| Medical and dental services | $24.1M | $1,034 | 80 |
| Pets | $18.9M | $812 | 89 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $40.4M | $1,730 | 84 |
| Vehicle insurance | $53.8M | $2,307 | 118 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $62.3M | $2,670 | 88 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $32M | $1,370 | 97 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $332.7M | $14,255 | 86 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Fairmont area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 55,584−1.2% since 2020
- Households
- 23,339
- Median age
- 41.1
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 77%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.7
- Land area
- 309 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 181
- Median household income
- $67,370+33.9% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $82,263
- Median home value
- $166,700
- Jobs located here
- 18,773
- Daytime population
- 50,587Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Fairmont area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Fairmont area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Fairmont area 1
- Marion County, WV55,909 people
Other markets based in West Virginia 10
- Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area370,729 people
- Charleston, WV metro area205,398 people
- Morgantown, WV metro area141,323 people
- Wheeling, WV-OH metro area136,920 people
- Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH metro area114,754 people
- Beckley, WV metro area112,714 people
- Parkersburg-Vienna, WV metro area88,460 people
- Bluefield, WV-VA area98,187 people
- Clarksburg, WV area89,182 people
- Elkins, WV area27,576 people
Questions
How fast is the Fairmont, WV area growing?
Population estimates put the Fairmont area at 55,584 people in 2025, down 1.2% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 23,339 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 33.9%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Fairmont, WV area spend?
Households in the Fairmont area spend about $332.7M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $134.4M on groceries and $80.7M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Fairmont area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 118, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (63).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Fairmont, WV area?
Of the business types scored in the Fairmont area, lawn care, cleaning and pest control companies (80); clothing and shoe stores (72); and HVAC and plumbing companies (71) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For lawn care, cleaning and pest control companies, that ranks #22 of 481 scored small-town markets.
How does the Fairmont, WV area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Fairmont area is $67,370, 17% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 1.2% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $166,700, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for convenience stores (93% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate agents and brokers (65% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 44 of the 56 business types have a score in the Fairmont area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Fairmont area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in West Virginia · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Fairmont area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Fairmont area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.