Almost heaven surprises: Fun Facts About Fairmont
Think you really know Fairmont? It's a city with pepperoni rolls that could put other cities' sandwiches to shame, quirky local hangouts like Coal Country Miniature Golf, and a state park that will give you a taste of 18th century frontier life. Let's run through the facts, stats, and coal-dusted qualities that showcase what makes Fairmont's bite worth the hype.
Hannah, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Hannah is a born and raised West Virginian who briefly tested life across state lines before realizing the pull of the hills is undefeated. She has lived in both northern and south central West Virginia, moved more times than she can count during college, and knows Charleston well enough to give directions using landmarks instead of street names. She writes fiction, spins yarn into sweaters, drinks Charleston coffee like its a personality trait, and somehow keeps four pets fed. Editing West Virginia guides comes naturally when you know the people shine... even when the sun does not.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Fairmont Fairmont?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Fairmont
The Friendly City, Pepperoni Roll Capital of the World
Local Reality Check
People think it's all coal mines, but these days it's mostly college kids and families
You're most likely moving from
Morgantown or Pittsburgh suburbs looking for lower rent
Strangely large concentration of
Local Italian restaurants bakeries still cranking out pepperoni rolls at dawn
Music scene
Live music at local bars like Brickside and special events at Palatine Park
You'll have to see it to believe it
The High Level Bridge (AKA "Million Dollar Bridge") connecting east and west Fairmont
Unique Geography
The West Fork and Tygart Valley Rivers converge into the Monongahela River here
Fairmont is home to
Fairmont State University and the actual birthplace of the pepperoni roll
Well known for its
Pepperoni rolls invented by immigrant baker Giuseppe Argiro
Fun history fact
Fairmont was originally founded as "Middletown"
Celebrity sightings
Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton was born here
Noteworthy Census stat
Population was roughly 18,000 as of the 2020 census
Most interesting sub-culture within Fairmont
Old school Italian American families who guard their pepperoni roll recipes fiercely
Population
8th-most populous city in WV
Fairmont is roughly the same geographic size as
Northfield, Minnesota (about 9 square miles)
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
The Three Rivers Festival is a great local fest that happens each Memorial Day weekend at Palatine Park. It features a carnival, parade, fireworks, and so much more that you don't want to miss.
— Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Fairmont Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Fairmont guide for the bigger picture.