Fayette County, West Virginia

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,731 km² (668 mi²). 1,720 km² (664 mi²) of it is land and 11 km² (4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.66% water.

Demographics As of the census¹ of 2000, there are 47,579 people, 18,945 households, and 13,128 families residing in the county. The population density is 28/km² (72/mi²). There are 21,616 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (33/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.74% White, 5.57% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 18,945 households out of which 29.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% are married couples living together, 13.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% are non-families. 26.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.89.

In the county, the population is spread out with 21.70% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $24,788, and the median income for a family is $30,243. Males have a median income of $28,554 versus $18,317 for females. The per capita income for the county is $13,809. 21.70% of the population and 18.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 31.90% are under the age of 18 and 13.70% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Ansted
• Fayetteville
• Gauley Bridge
• Meadow Bridge
• Montgomery
• Mount Hope
• Oak Hill
• Pax
• Powellton
• Smithers
• Thurmond