Fayette County, WV

County

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2020 Population

43,087

1.12% 1-year decline

US Senator

Joe Manchin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Shelley Moore Capito

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

44.5

0.451% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

21.4%

4.57% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$43,722

5.62% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$95,100

4.16% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

15,874

3% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Fayette County, WV had a population of 43.1k people with a median age of 44.5 and a median household income of $43,722. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Fayette County, WV declined from 43,576 to 43,087, a −1.12% decrease and its median household income grew from $41,394 to $43,722, a 5.62% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Fayette County, WV are White (Non-Hispanic) (92.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.03%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (0.998%), White (Hispanic) (0.826%), and American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (0.214%).

None of the households in Fayette County, WV reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.7% of the residents in Fayette County, WV are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Fayette County, WV are Fayette Institute of Technology (33 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Fayette County, WV was $95,100, and the homeownership rate was 78.4%. Most people in Fayette County, WV drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Fayette County, WV was 2 cars per household.

Fayette County, WV borders Greenbrier County, WV, Kanawha County, WV, Nicholas County, WV, Raleigh County, WV, and Summers County, WV.

United States West Virginia Beckley, WV

Diversity

Fayette County, WV is home to a population of 43.1k people, from which 99.7% are citizens. As of 2020, 0.499% of Fayette County, WV residents were born outside of the country (215 people).

In 2020, there were 18.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (39.8k people) in Fayette County, WV than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.17k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 430 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Fayette County, WV

White (Non-Hispanic)
39.8k ± 28
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.17k ± 150
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
430 ± 164

1.2%

Hispanic Population

517 people

1.2% of the people in Fayette County, WV are hispanic (517 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Fayette County, WV as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.499%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

215 people

0.727%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

317 people

As of 2020, 0.499% of Fayette County, WV residents (215 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Fayette County, WV was 0.727%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Fayette County, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 10.6

In 2020, the median age of all people in Fayette County, WV was 44.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 45, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 58. But people in Fayette County, WV are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Fayette County, WV residents was 44.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for West Virginia.

Most Common Origin

India
2,485 ± 1,223 people
Philippines
2,301 ± 1,177 people
China
2,228 ± 1,158 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Virginia was India, the natal country of 2,485 West Virginia residents, followed by Philippines with 2,301 and China with 2,228.

Citizenship

99.7%

2020 Citizenship

99.5%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 99.7% of Fayette County, WV residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Fayette County, WV was 99.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Fayette County, WV compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,289 ± 191
Gulf War (2001-)
488 ± 170
Gulf War (1990s)
470 ± 135

Fayette County, WV has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.64 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for West Virginia. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in West Virginia, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in West Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in West Virginia. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in West Virginia.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of West Virginia across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Fayette County, WV is $43,722. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Fayette County, WV was Census Tract 210 with a value of $50,434, followed by Census Tract 206 and Census Tract 211, with respective values of $49,442 and $47,550.

Males in West Virginia have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $43,089. The income inequality in West Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.441, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Fayette County, WV employs 15.9k people. The largest industries in Fayette County, WV are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,703 people), Retail Trade (2,184 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (1,607 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($69,228), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($68,015), and Information ($59,038).

Wages

Median Household Income

$43,722

2020 value

± $2,550

5.62%

1 Year Growth

± 7.82%

Households in Fayette County, WV have a median annual income of $43,722, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $41,394 in 2019, which represents a 5.62% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Fayette County, WV compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for West Virginia.

$59,317

Average Male Salary in West Virginia

± $2,250

$43,089

Average Female Salary in West Virginia

± $1,699

In 2020, full-time male employees in West Virginia made 1.38 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in West Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for West Virginia.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in West Virginia

Asian
$68,837 ± $25,490
White
$45,451 ± $1,344
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,271 ± $5,747

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of West Virginia workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.51 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in West Virginia.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in West Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Fayette County, WV is from West Virginia.

0.441

2020 Wage GINI in West Virginia

0.444

2019 Wage GINI in West Virginia

In 2020, the income inequality in West Virginia was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.729% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for West Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in West Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in West Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 210
Census Tract 206
Census Tract 211

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Fayette County, WV was Census Tract 210 with a value of $50,434, followed by Census Tract 206 and Census Tract 211, with respective values of $49,442 and $47,550.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Fayette County, WV colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

21.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Fayette County, WV (8.91k out of 41.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 45 - 54.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
8,039 ± 618
Black
733 ± 197
Two Or More
108 ± 142

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Fayette County, WV is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

15.9k

2020 Value

± 965

1 Year growth

± 8.1%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Fayette County, WV grew at a rate of 3%, from 15.4k employees to 15.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Fayette County, WV, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,718 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,706 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1,250 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Fayette County, WV.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Fayette County, WV, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,718 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,706 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1,250 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Fayette County, WV has an unusually high number of residents working as Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.12 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.76 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.57 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Fayette County, WV, by median earnings, are Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($147,533), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($78,393), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations ($60,000).

Industries

Employment by Industries

15.9k

2020 Value

± 965

1 Year growth

± 8.1%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Fayette County, WV grew at a rate of 3%, from 15.4k employees to 15.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Fayette County, WV, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,703 people), Retail Trade (2,184 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (1,607 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Fayette County, WV, though some of these residents may live in Fayette County, WV and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Fayette County, WV, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,703 people), Retail Trade (2,184 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (1,607 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Fayette County, WV has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (8.36 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.97 times), and Public Administration (1.56 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Fayette County, WV, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($69,228), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($68,015), and Information ($59,038).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Coal-n.e.c.
$8.42B
Coal
$6.05B
Plastics/rubber
$5.79B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia product (by dollars) was Coal-n.e.c. with $8.42B, followed by Coal ($6.05B) and Plastics/rubber ($5.79B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound West Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for West Virginia.

$65.6B

2020 Value in West Virginia

$114B

Projected 2050 Value in West Virginia

74.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound West Virginia trade was $65.6B. This is expected to increase 74.3% to $114B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound West Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from West Virginia to other states, or from other states to West Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

Ohio
$9.85B
Pennsylvania
$5.83B
Virginia
$3.98B

In 2020, the top outbound West Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $9.85B, followed by Pennsylvania with $5.83B and Virginia and $3.98B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that West Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Fayette County, WV went to Donald J. Trump with 68.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (30%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.937%). The most partisan county was Grant County, WV with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing the state of West Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

West Virginia is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (68.7%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (30%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.937%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Fayette County, WV for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of West Virginia.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Fayette County, WV

68.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in West Virginia

Grant County, WV
88.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Wyoming County, WV
85.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Mingo County, WV
85.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in West Virginia was Grant County, WV with 88.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in West Virginia colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from West Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

Joe Manchin

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on November 15, 2010
Elected to the seat to succeed Carte Goodwin, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Robert Byrd.

Shelley Moore Capito

Senator from West Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are the senators currently representing West Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in West Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from West Virginia

West Virginia is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for West Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Fayette County, WV awarded 33 degrees. The student population of Fayette County, WV is skewed towards women, with 8 male students and 20 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Fayette County, WV are White (32 and 97%), followed by Black or African American (1 and 3.03%), Asian (0 and 0%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0 and 0%).

The largest universities in Fayette County, WV by number of degrees awarded are Fayette Institute of Technology (33 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Fayette County, WV are Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (26 and 78.8%) and Electrician (7 and 21.2%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training
26 degree-majorss awarded
Electrician
7 degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Fayette County, WV was Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training with 26 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Fayette County, WV according to their major.

Universities

Fayette Institute of Technology

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

33 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Fayette County, WV institution with the largest number of graduating students was Fayette Institute of Technology with 33 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 9 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Fayette County, WV, which is 0.375 times less than the 24 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Fayette County, WV by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
32 degrees awarded
Black or African American
1 degrees awarded
Asian
0 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Fayette County, WV was White students. These 32 degrees mean that there were 32 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Fayette County, WV was $95,100 in 2020, which is 0.414 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $91,300 to $95,100, a 4.16% increase. The homeownership rate in Fayette County, WV is 78.4%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Fayette County, WV have an average commute time of 31.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Fayette County, WV is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$95,100

2020 Median

± $4,582

$91,300

2019 Median

± $4,597

In 2020, the median property value in Fayette County, WV grew to to $95,100 from the previous year's value of $91,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Fayette County, WV compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Fayette County, WV the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$43,722

Median Household Income

± $2,550

17.4k

Number of Households

± 975

In 2020, the median household income of the 17.4k households in Fayette County, WV grew to $43,722 from the previous year's value of $41,394.

The following chart displays the households in Fayette County, WV distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Fayette County, WV distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Fayette County, WV the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

78.4%

2020 Homeownership

77.3%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 78.4% of the housing units in Fayette County, WV were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 77.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Fayette County, WV compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

31.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Fayette County, WV have a longer commute time (31.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 3.91% of the workforce in Fayette County, WV have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Fayette County, WV compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (82.6%)
Carpooled (8.55%)
Worked At Home (3.49%)

In 2020, 82.6% of workers in Fayette County, WV drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.55%) and those who worked at home (3.49%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Fayette County, WV distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Fayette County, WV have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

92.7% of the population of Fayette County, WV has health coverage, with 33.3% on employee plans, 27.5% on Medicaid, 15.7% on Medicare, 13.3% on non-group plans, and 2.91% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in West Virginia was $9,462 in 2014. This is a 5.5% increase from the previous year ($8,969).

Primary care physicians in Fayette County, WV see 2151 patients per year on average, which represents a 6.11% decrease from the previous year (2291 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2019 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1844 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Mingo County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (22.1%). Additionally, McDowell County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (44.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,151 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Fayette County, WV

Primary care physicians in Fayette County, WV see an average of 2,151 patients per year. This represents a 6.11% decrease from the previous year (2,291 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Fayette County, WV in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for West Virginia.

$9,462

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in West Virginia

$3,917

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,557

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,268

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in West Virginia (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.5%, from $8,969 to $9,462.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

7.32%

Uninsured

33.3%

Employer Coverage

27.5%

Medicaid

15.7%

Medicare

13.3%

Non-Group

2.91%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Fayette County, WV grew by 3.31% from 7.09% to 7.32%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Fayette County, WV changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.