County · Virginia
Wise County, Virginia
Wise County, Virginia. Wise County had 34,824 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.6% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 14 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 51195.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
34,824
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 36,130 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,448
Median household income
$52,943
±$2,440 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$118,600
±$6,535 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$790
±$34 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Wise County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 36,130 residents in Wise County. The Census Bureau estimates 34,824 for July 1, 2025, down 3.6% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,448 over 403 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wise County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,448 | 8,705,170 | −3,038 |
| Households | 13,905±356 | 3,365,732 | −1,020 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.06 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,627±48 | 3,684,756 | −1,331 |
Wise County's population since 2000
From 40,123 in 2000 to 34,824 in 2025: down 13.2%. 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 Wise County?
Wise County holds 14 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Big Stone Gap with 5,102 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Big Stone Gap | 5,254 | $54,581 |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | 2,971 | $53,596 |
| Coeburn | 1,598 | $55,104 |
| Appalachia | 1,432 | $43,068 |
| Pound | 877 | $32,396 |
| St. Paul | 866 | $33,000 |
| Big Stone Gap EastGEOID 5107484 | 687 | $20,938 |
| RiverviewGEOID 5167704 | 616 | $43,542 |
| East Stone GapGEOID 5124720 | 537 | $90,484 |
| The University of Virginia's College at WiseGEOID 5178264 | 430 | not published |
| TacomaGEOID 5177408 | 204 | $47,891 |
| OsakaGEOID 5159752 | 132 | not published |
| StonegaGEOID 5175680 | 93 | $39,712 |
| DunbarGEOID 5123776 | 79 | $14,527 |
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 Wise County?
The median resident of Wise County is 41.8 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 4.7%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wise County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8±0.5 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% | 11.0% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0%±0.7 pts | 58.4% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.5 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±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 | 2.7%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±1.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 27.5%±2.4 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5%±1.4 pts | 6.9% | −4.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.1%±1.9 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.8%±2.0 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.2 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±0.9 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 Wise County earn?
Half of Wise County's 13,905 households earn less than $52,943 a year (±$2,440), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $47,859 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,084 after inflation. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wise County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,943±$2,440 | $93,170 | +$5,084 |
| Mean household income | $64,112±$4,137 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,953±$1,489 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.2%±2.5 pts | 9.9% | −4.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.0%±4.8 pts | 12.3% | −9.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.5%±2.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±2.3 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 Wise County?
Owners occupy 74.2% of Wise County's occupied homes and renters 25.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $118,600 by its owner (±$6,535). The median renter pays $790 a month including utilities, and 28.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wise County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $118,600±$6,535 | $383,700 | +$13,376 |
| Median gross rent | $790±$34 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.4%±6.6 pts | 39.4% | −14.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,217±$90 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2%±2.8 pts | 67.3% | +7.6 pts |
| Housing units | 16,627±48 | 3,684,756 | −1,331 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.0%±3.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.4%±3.3 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 28.7%±3.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.8%±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 Wise County building?
Builders took permits for 45 new housing units across Wise County in 2025 (37 single-family), 1.3 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 Wise County get to work?
77.3% of Wise County's workers drive alone and 10.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.2%.
| Measure | Wise County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 46.4%±2.2 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.2%±2.1 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3%±3.0 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±1.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±1.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.7%±2.1 pts | 18.3% | +8.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.6 min±2.1 | 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 Wise County's census tracts?
Wise County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,000 (Tract 9317) to $70,435 (Tract 9309).
| Tract 930751195930700 | 3,087±433 | $40,903 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 930851195930800 | 1,645±269 | $47,250 |
| Tract 930951195930900 | 4,330±555 | $70,435 |
| Tract 931051195931000 | 1,613±314 | $47,802 |
| Tract 931151195931100 | 2,240±297 | $37,932 |
| Tract 931251195931200 | 5,847±709 | $53,189 |
| Tract 931351195931300 | 3,853±486 | $59,136 |
| Tract 931451195931400 | 5,304±569 | $54,324 |
| Tract 931551195931500 | 3,953±558 | $56,629 |
| Tract 931651195931600 | 2,276±356 | $42,717 |
| Tract 931751195931700 | 1,300±187 | $26,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wise County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 49th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 124th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 73rd of 133 |
| Median household income | 115th of 133 |
| Median home value | 126th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 112th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 33rd of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 116th of 133 |
| Median age | 72nd 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 Wise 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.