Once a hub of West Virginia’s coal industry, Fairmont has experienced the same decades-long decline as the rest of the state. However, in recent years, low real estate prices and a prime location between more expensive cities have led to its population stabilizing, with many anticipating growth in the future. “I think of Fairmont as a blank slate—there’s so much potential,” says Misty Rohaly, a Realtor with Keystone Realty Group. “We’re seeing a lot of younger families moving in and making a lot of these older houses their own.”
A quaint ranch sits on a raised lot in Fairmont.
A row of older homes in the West End of Fairmont.
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Historic homes in need of renovation
The median price for homes in Fairmont falls in the high $100,000s, well below the national median in the low $400,000s. The West End has a collection of centennial homes in various styles, while Garden Village is known for midcentury designs. New construction is cropping up in South Fairmont, which is closer to the highway. A large number of homes will require some attention from potential buyers. “Our population tends to be older, so their homes often need renovation,” says Rohaly. “By the time they’re ready to sell them, they haven’t updated in a while.”
Though it largely functions as a bedroom community for commuters to Morgantown, Clarksburg and Bridgeport, Fairmont is home to multiple manufacturing companies. The area’s primary hospital is Fairmont Medical Center, which employs over 300 people.
The area’s primary hospital is Fairmont Medical Center with over 300 employees.
The Garden Village section of Fairmont is home to midcentury designs.
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A top ten school district for athletes
Marion County Schools serves the city’s students and receives a B-minus from Niche, which rates it one of the top ten school districts in West Virginia for athletics. The district includes over 20 schools, including Fairmont Senior High School, which boasts several state championships for its football team, including 2023.
Established in 1865, Fairmont State University has an enrollment of over 3,000 students. The university is particularly well known for its National Security program. “They just elected a new president, and he’s got a lot of plans for expansion,” she says. “That school is growing, growing, growing.”
Fairmont State University has over 40 degree programs and some not offered anywhere else in West Virginia.
Fairmont High School has an overall rating of a B+ according to Niche.
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Kayaking on the Tygart River
Fairmont’s Parks and Recreation Department oversees seven public parks and resources, including Morris Park, which features over 100 acres of walking trails, wooded landscapes and sports facilities. Oliver Avenue Park contains the Fairmont Community Garden, with plots available for rental throughout the growing season. Valley Falls State Park has over 1,100 acres of scenic waterfalls, forests and rapids flowing down the Tygart River. “So much centers around the river,” says Rohaly. “People picnic, kayak, innertube—it’s a hub during the summer.”
Morris Park is the home of the annual Christmas Lights Festival.
Valley Falls State Park is just a short drive from Fairmont.
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"The pepperoni roll capital of the world"
A long-time staple for hungry miners, the Country Club Bakery invented the pepperoni roll in Fairmont. As a result, many locals still consider Fairmont the “pepperoni roll capital of the world.” Once the site of the Middletown Mall, the development of Middletown Commons has attracted a wide variety of national brands, restaurants and some mom-and-pop shops. As a result, the southside of the city has become one of its most highly trafficked areas.
The Pepperoni Roll was created in Fairmont at the Country Club Bakery to feed coal miners.
Middletown Commons is home to a wide variety of national brands, restaurants and some mom-and-pop shops.
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Do some putting at the Coal Mining Museum
Local attractions include the Marion County Historical Museum, the Telephone Museum and Coal Country Miniature Golf, which combines an 18-hole course with a coal mining museum. Every Tuesday, the Fairmont Farmers Market opens in Palantine Park, offering local produce, pastries and more.
A local attraction is the Telephone Museum which is open seasonally.
The Marion County Historical Museum is open to the public during to week for tours.
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Right between Morgantown, Clarksburg and Bridgeport
Interstate 79 is one of the main highways in the city and leads directly to Morgantown, some 20 miles northeast. Twenty miles in the opposite direction takes commuters to Clarksburg and Bridgeport. “The infrastructure is better in Fairmont than other places,” says Rohaly. “So traffic isn’t really an issue here unless construction is going on.” Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority provides a bus line that is reachable through several routes or its dial-a-ride service. The North Central West Virginia Airport offers limited flights into the Carolinas and Florida.
Important to know
The FBI states that violent crime in Fairmont is somewhat higher than the rates for both West Virginia and the country at large. City property crime was higher than the state rate but lower than the national.
Fairmont has a continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed high levels of fracking-related radioactive waste at the site of a closed wastewater plant. That same year, the EPA approved a multimillion-dollar cleanup plan, which has not yet been completed.
Written By
Phil Keeling
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Kelly
Video By
Chris Freeman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michelle Dodrill,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Fairmont, WV sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairmont, WV over the last 12 months is $202,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream home in Fairmont, WV! Back on the market due to no fault of the seller! This stunning property boasts panoramic mountain views, offering a picturesque backdrop year round. With a neutral interior waiting for your personal touch, this turn-key home is perfect for anyone looking to make it their own. The fenced-in yard provides privacy and security, ideal for entertaining or
Conveniently located between Morgantown and Fairmont, this home sits on over 33 beautiful acres, offering the perfect combination of privacy and accessibility. Act quickly to take advantage of this amazing opportunity! Welcome to your dream home! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence features stunning cherry wood accents throughout, enhancing its warm and inviting atmosphere. The flowing
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***AUCTION***Price of $169,300 Reflects the County Appraised Value ONLY Not the Reserve or List Price. This property is being sold at auction, do not make offers to purchase prior to the sale based on this amount. For more information and our online bidding, please visit our website KaufmanAuctionsWV*** 2 Bedroom Brick Home, Fairmont WV Real Estate Auction. Location: 917 Sylvan Ave Fairmont, WV
Situated on 4.3 acres, tucked away in a serene, wooded setting, this 4 bedroom 2 full bath home has had the same property owners for decades. Enter in through the cozy sunroom into the eat in kitchen with plenty of cabinet space and pantry. The primary bedroom with full bath is located on the first floor as well. Relax in the 23x10 living room with sliding glass doors to the covered front
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a quaint A-frame cottage at 431 Valley Falls Road in the desirable Rock Lake community. Set on a peaceful 0.2-acre lot, this cozy retreat features hardwoods throughout and offers direct access to the serene, private lake—perfect for summer getaways or weekend escapes. A 16x12 block outbuilding with power provides additional space for storage or a workshop.
Just minutes off of 1-79, this 2 bedroom East Side home is ready for you to move right in! Fresh updates throughout include new flooring, mostly new wiring, new paint and much more! First floor laundry space and new deck. Enjoy the large yard this summer!
Property consists of 6 apartment buildings built from 2003 to 2016 in a peaceful, rural setting, yet located just 1.5 miles from Exit 132 (South Fairmont) of Interstate 79. Convenient to Fairmont, Bridgeport, Clarksburg and Morgantown.
Modern luxury apartment off of the Gateway Connector. A short commute to Morgantown or Bridgeport. Brand new construction. Spacious rooms. Open floor plan. Kitchen features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Move-in ready! Washer & Dryer Included. Option to have it furnished. More info in agent remarks.
Newer flooring, paint, bathroom sink and shower. Big deck and flat yard. Large garage with shop area. New stove and refrigerator. Within minutes of interstate. 100 yards from the rail trail for evening bike rides, running or walking.
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