Big Stone Gap town, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Big Stone Gap town, Virginia has a total population of 5,193, the 196th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $51,059, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Big Stone Gap town Quick Facts
How Big Stone Gap town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Stone Gap town Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Big Stone Gap town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield town | 5,016 | $53,500 | $161,100 | 31.7% | 14.9% |
| Emporia city | 5,633 | $49,375 | $131,100 | 15.2% | 13.5% |
| Luray town | 4,836 | $55,802 | $243,500 | 19.5% | 7.2% |
| Bensley CDP | 5,819 | $49,695 | $199,100 | 15.6% | 22.4% |
| Ettrick CDP | 5,760 | $54,857 | $184,400 | 26.9% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Big Stone Gap town is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 5,193. It ranks as the 196th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Stone Gap town is 41.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Stone Gap town is $51,059. This is 44% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 135% 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 7.5%. This is 74% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $169,900. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 62.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Stone Gap town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Stone Gap town, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Stone Gap town, Virginia?
Big Stone Gap town, Virginia has a population of 5,193 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Stone Gap town, VA?
The median household income in Big Stone Gap town is $51,059, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Big Stone Gap town, VA?
The poverty rate in Big Stone Gap town is 23.3%. This means approximately 887 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Stone Gap town, Virginia?
Big Stone Gap town's population is 74.4% White, 19.4% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Stone Gap town, VA?
The median home value in Big Stone Gap town is $169,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Big Stone Gap town, Virginia?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Big Stone Gap town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.