About Our Town

FAYETTEVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA

Fayetteville is a town in and the county seat of Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,754 at the 2000 census.

Fayetteville was listed as one of the 2006 “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel Magazine [1].

During the Civil War, the majority of the people in Fayetteville were in sympathy with the Southern cause. Fayetteville changed hands several times during the war and was partially destroyed during the fighting. Fayetteville was originally founded by Abraham Vandal, a Revolutionary War veteran and local farmer. The town was originally named Vandalia. The Fayette County Courthouse is located on part of the original Vandal farm. The town’s name was later (prior to 1837) changed to Fayetteville after the Revolutionary War hero, Marquis de Lafayette who toured the US in 1824/25.

In 1897, the Fayette County Courthouse was completed and is a remarkable example of the Romanesque Revival architectural style. The Altamont Hotel was built the same year. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the E. B. Hawkins House. The Fayetteville Historic District was designated in 1990.

Fayette County Courthouse

Fayetteville grew rapidly in the late 19th century thanks mainly to the coal industry. The mining industry declined in the late 20th century. Fayetteville’s economy now is almost completely based on the tourism industry. Popular activities include white water rafting, fishing, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the region. Also, the New River Gorge Bridge hosts annual celebration, “Bridge Day,” which is held on the third Saturday of October.

Downtown-Fayetteville-West-Virginia-OhioActive

The New River Gorge Bridge is the longest arch bridge in the western hemisphere; its creation made traveling on 19N much easier, turning a 45-minute sojourn from one side of the gorge to the other into a roughly 45-second jaunt. The New River is the second oldest river in the world and is one of many rivers to flow north.

Geography

Fayetteville is located at 38°3′4″N 81°6′25″W (38.051181, -81.106961)^[5].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.6 km²), all land.

Demographics

The Fayette County Courthouse by night

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 2,754 people, 1,151 households, and 766 families residing in the town. The population density was 934.8 people per square mile (360.4/km²). There were 1,257 housing units at an average density of 426.7 per square mile (164.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.88% White, 4.58% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.15% from two or more races. Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.62% of the population.

There were 1,151 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.