County · Virginia
Smyth County, Virginia
Smyth County, Virginia. Smyth County had 28,882 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.1% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 9 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 51173.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,882
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,800 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,420
Median household income
$49,883
±$3,503 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$139,600
±$10,003 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$731
±$35 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Smyth County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 29,800 residents in Smyth County. The Census Bureau estimates 28,882 for July 1, 2025, down 3.1% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 29,420 over 451 square miles of land.
| Measure | Smyth County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,420 | 8,705,170 | −1,347 |
| Households | 12,659±297 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.05 | 2.52 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 15,080±46 | 3,684,756 | −318 |
Smyth County's population since 2000
From 33,081 in 2000 to 28,882 in 2025: down 12.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Smyth County?
Smyth County holds 9 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Marion with 5,555 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Marion | 5,751 | $40,896 |
|---|---|---|
| Saltville | 1,824 | $48,658 |
| AdwolfGEOID 5100468 | 1,658 | $44,464 |
| Chilhowie | 1,654 | $51,429 |
| Atkins | 1,121 | $48,500 |
| Seven Mile FordGEOID 5171264 | 664 | $38,003 |
| Sugar GroveGEOID 5176448 | 610 | $45,676 |
| Allison GapGEOID 5101240 | 610 | $36,635 |
| McMullinGEOID 5148445 | 455 | $68,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Smyth County?
The median resident of Smyth County is 46.4 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 23.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.2%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Smyth County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.4±0.4 | 39.0 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.0%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 11.0% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.4%±0.3 pts | 58.4% | −0.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±0.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 23.1%±1.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | −4.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.8%±1.7 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.8%±1.9 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.2 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Smyth County earn?
Half of Smyth County's 12,659 households earn less than $49,883 a year (±$3,503), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $50,375 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Smyth County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,883±$3,503 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,477±$4,330 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,460±$1,903 | $50,666 | +$3,871 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.8%±2.1 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.0%±5.9 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.0%±1.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.2%±2.6 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Smyth County?
Owners occupy 71.0% of Smyth County's occupied homes and renters 29.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $139,600 by its owner (±$10,003). The median renter pays $731 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Smyth County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $139,600±$10,003 | $383,700 | +$21,700 |
| Median gross rent | $731±$35 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8%±5.9 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,125±$49 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.0%±2.4 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,080±46 | 3,684,756 | −318 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±2.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.5%±2.5 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.2%±2.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.7%±1.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Smyth County building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units across Smyth County in 2025 (12 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Smyth County get to work?
82.8% of Smyth County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Smyth County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.0%±2.1 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±0.9 pts | 4.3% | −2.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 82.8%±2.4 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±1.7 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±1.6 pts | 18.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±1.3 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Smyth County's census tracts?
Smyth County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,815 (Tract 306) to $66,818 (Tract 304).
| Tract 30151173030100 | 2,760±379 | $50,370 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 30251173030200 | 4,415±485 | $48,828 |
| Tract 303.0151173030301 | 2,185±258 | $39,325 |
| Tract 303.0251173030302 | 3,998±372 | $50,114 |
| Tract 30451173030400 | 1,742±266 | $66,818 |
| Tract 30551173030500 | 2,439±308 | $40,000 |
| Tract 30651173030600 | 2,744±294 | $34,815 |
| Tract 307.0151173030701 | 4,822±362 | $49,242 |
| Tract 307.0251173030702 | 4,315±441 | $59,806 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Smyth County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 59th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 120th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 87th of 133 |
| Median household income | 122nd of 133 |
| Median home value | 121st of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 126th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 34th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 108th of 133 |
| Median age | 39th of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Smyth County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.