Fairmont, WV, United States

Capital City

The reality is that Fairmont's population has steadily declined from over 19,000 in 2000 to just 18,416 as of 2020, with nearly 15% of its housing units now vacant. Despite its status as the eighth-largest city in West Virginia, the local economy has struggled, with a median household income of $63,032 and a poverty rate of 17.4%. One persistent headache is the legacy of the city's 19th-century coal mines, which have caused land subsidence issues that the government has spent years and money trying to fix. This former industrial hub is best suited for those seeking an affordable cost of living in a small Appalachian town, rather than bustling urban amenities.