Fairlea, WV

West Virginia

Fairlea is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,266. Residents earn $23,197 per year, which is 69% below the national average.

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
1,266 Population 339/sq mi density
$23,197 Median Income $32,013 per capita
N/A Home Value
$873 Median Rent 47.4% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$23,197 median income, 3.3% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.6 / 5.0
$873/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $23,197
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.0%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $873
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 40.3%
225% higher than US avg

How Fairlea Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,266
Median Age60.1 yrs
Density339/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

C
Median Income$23,197
Per Capita$32,013
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty40.3%
County GDP$1,454M
Commute22 min

Housing

D
Home ValueN/A
Rent$873
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden47.4%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.6%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain41.5 in/yr
Elevation2,166 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.0%
High School+75.3%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute22 min
Libraries6

Is Fairlea a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fairlea receives an overall livability score of 2.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fairlea has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fairlea is $23,197, 69% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 40.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

Renters pay a median of $873 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

14.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Fairlea experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.5 inches, including 29.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Fairlea has a population of 1,266 with a density of 339 people per square mile. The median age is 60.1 years, 54% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

1,266
Total Population
339
People / sq mi
60.1yrs
Median Age
54% above US avg
3.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Fairlea vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fairlea vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fairlea is $23,197, which is 69% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 40.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Fairlea vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$23,197
69% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,013
Avg Weekly Wage$849
IRS Avg AGI$57,500

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate40.3%
225% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,392
County GDP$1,454M

Business (County)

Restaurants86
Healthcare150
Retail149
Manufacturing24

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,903
17% below US avg

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.8 min
Work from Home7.3%

Walkability

Monthly rent averages $873 (25% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$873
25% below US avg
Rent Burden47.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$714
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$945
3 Bedrooms$1,231
4 Bedrooms$1,380

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,903
17% below US avg
In Fairlea, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.6% report depression. 32.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fairlea vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes13.1%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure38.7%
Asthma12.6%
COPD9.7%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity32.3%
Depression31.6%
Mental Distress23.2%
Physical Distress16.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death14,045/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access61.8%
Healthcare Facilities150

Crime Rates: Fairlea vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Fairlea has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.5 inches
9% above US avg
Snowfall29.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,166 ft (660 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.7 km²)
Population Density339/sq mi
Coordinates37.7752°N, 80.4587°W
County FIPS54025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.1%
D 28%

Winner: Republican by 42.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.0%
58% below US avg
High School+75.3%
School Test Score4.81
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density339/sq mi
Total Area3.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities150
Restaurants86
Retail Stores149

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.8 min
Work from Home7.3%

Nearby Cities

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