Appalachia, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Appalachia, Virginia had a total population of 1,391, the 336th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $43,068, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.2% is notably above the national average.
Appalachia Quick Facts
How Appalachia Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,612 | 1,391 | -13.7% |
| Median household income | $38,942 | $43,068 | +10.6% |
| Median home value | $65,500 | $67,100 | +2.4% |
How Appalachia Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Appalachia Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Wise County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Gap | 5,162 | $54,581 | 26.2% | $163,000 |
| Wise | 2,916 | $53,596 | 12.5% | $144,700 |
| Coeburn | 1,639 | $55,104 | 19.1% | $112,600 |
| St. Paul | 963 | $33,000 | 30.8% | $176,100 |
| Pound | 913 | $32,396 | 19.3% | $98,100 |
| East Stone Gap | 683 | $90,484 | 0.0% | $114,000 |
| Riverview | 607 | $43,542 | 15.3% | $38,500 |
| Big Stone Gap East | 567 | $20,938 | 33.0% | $168,100 |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | 489 | N/A | 65.6% | N/A |
| Stonega | 151 | $39,712 | 0.0% | $63,900 |
Cities Similar to Appalachia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawsville | 1,411 | N/A | $101,600 | 15.3% | 17.4% |
| Stanleytown | 1,386 | $40,000 | $143,900 | 18.6% | 9.7% |
| Kilmarnock | 1,333 | $40,234 | $282,400 | 25.2% | 23.1% |
| Brookneal | 1,300 | $44,850 | $135,600 | 9.2% | 24.8% |
| Clintwood | 1,400 | $52,083 | $162,800 | 20.4% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Appalachia is a small community located in Virginia, within Wise County. The total population is 1,391. It ranks as the 336th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Appalachia is 43.3 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Appalachia is $43,068. This is 54% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.2%. This is 186% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 13.2%. This is 209% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $67,100. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Appalachia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Appalachia has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.7% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Appalachia, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Appalachia, Virginia?
Appalachia, Virginia has a population of 1,391 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Appalachia, VA?
The median household income in Appalachia is $43,068, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Appalachia, VA?
The poverty rate in Appalachia is 28.2%. This means approximately 393 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Appalachia, Virginia?
Appalachia's population is 87.7% White, 4.0% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Appalachia, VA?
The median home value in Appalachia is $67,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Appalachia, Virginia?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Appalachia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.