County · Virginia
Wythe County, Virginia
Wythe County, Virginia. Wythe County had 27,983 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 6 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 51197.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
27,983
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,290 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,188
Median household income
$57,745
±$4,590 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$171,200
±$8,959 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$764
±$48 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Wythe County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 28,290 residents in Wythe County. The Census Bureau estimates 27,983 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 28,188 over 462 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wythe County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,188 | 8,705,170 | −656 |
| Households | 12,533±302 | 3,365,732 | +550 |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.05 | 2.52 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 14,030±25 | 3,684,756 | −345 |
Wythe County's population since 2000
From 27,599 in 2000 to 27,983 in 2025: up 1.4%. 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 Wythe County?
Wythe County holds 6 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Wytheville with 8,128 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wytheville | 8,265 | $47,270 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Retreat | 1,546 | $61,979 |
| Fort ChiswellGEOID 5129040 | 876 | $88,719 |
| Max MeadowsGEOID 5150312 | 553 | $58,781 |
| IvanhoeGEOID 5140216 | 501 | $51,406 |
| AustinvilleGEOID 5103656 | 119 | not published |
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 Wythe County?
The median resident of Wythe County is 46.0 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 2.2%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wythe County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0±0.4 | 39.0 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 19.4%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.3%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% | 11.0% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.9%±0.4 pts | 58.4% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±1.0 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.7%±1.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0%±1.5 pts | 6.9% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.2%±1.5 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.4%±2.4 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6%±1.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.8 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 Wythe County earn?
Half of Wythe County's 12,533 households earn less than $57,745 a year (±$4,590), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $60,752 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wythe County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,745±$4,590 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,745±$7,066 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,875±$2,953 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.2%±2.8 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.6%±6.6 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.2%±2.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.9%±2.9 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 Wythe County?
Owners occupy 77.0% of Wythe County's occupied homes and renters 23.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,200 by its owner (±$8,959). The median renter pays $764 a month including utilities, and 40.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wythe County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $171,200±$8,959 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $764±$48 | $1,579 | −$68 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9%±7.6 pts | 39.4% | +12.4 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,129±$47 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.0%±2.6 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,030±25 | 3,684,756 | −345 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.9%±3.1 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.0%±2.6 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.6%±2.4 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 Wythe County building?
Builders took permits for 81 new housing units across Wythe County in 2025 (77 single-family), 2.9 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 Wythe County get to work?
81.0% of Wythe County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Wythe County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.8%±2.0 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±1.7 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.0%±3.5 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±2.1 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±1.0 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±1.9 pts | 18.3% | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.3 min±1.6 | 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 Wythe County's census tracts?
Wythe County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $45,281 (Tract 501.01) to $66,888 (Tract 503.02).
| Tract 501.0151197050101 | 2,734±340 | $45,281 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 501.0251197050102 | 2,320±466 | $58,797 |
| Tract 502.0151197050201 | 3,286±416 | $60,987 |
| Tract 502.0251197050202 | 3,444±419 | $63,304 |
| Tract 503.0151197050301 | 4,090±567 | $56,429 |
| Tract 503.0251197050302 | 3,537±481 | $66,888 |
| Tract 504.0151197050401 | 4,143±507 | $57,688 |
| Tract 504.0251197050402 | 4,634±572 | $52,632 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wythe County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 63rd of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 100th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 94th of 133 |
| Median household income | 98th of 133 |
| Median home value | 104th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 117th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 43rd of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 96th of 133 |
| Median age | 43rd 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 Wythe 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.