Big Stone Gap, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Stone Gap, Virginia had a total population of 5,162, the 198th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $54,581, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Big Stone Gap Quick Facts
How Big Stone Gap 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 | 5,193 | 5,162 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $51,059 | $54,581 | +6.9% |
| Median home value | $169,900 | $163,000 | -4.1% |
How Big Stone Gap 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+)
Big Stone Gap Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Wise County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 2,916 | $53,596 | 12.5% | $144,700 |
| Coeburn | 1,639 | $55,104 | 19.1% | $112,600 |
| Appalachia | 1,391 | $43,068 | 28.2% | $67,100 |
| 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 Big Stone Gap
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | 4,979 | $54,041 | $152,500 | 29.8% | 15.6% |
| Emporia | 5,547 | $51,899 | $148,500 | 16.0% | 15.8% |
| Luray | 4,827 | $50,150 | $253,900 | 18.5% | 12.3% |
| Rocky Mount | 4,950 | $63,280 | $207,000 | 21.7% | 18.6% |
| Ettrick | 5,910 | $58,137 | $211,200 | 26.0% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Big Stone Gap is a small city located in Virginia, within Wise County. The total population is 5,162. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Stone Gap is 41.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Stone Gap is $54,581. This is 41% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.2%. This is 165% 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 7.0%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $163,000. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Stone Gap is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Stone Gap, 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 Big Stone Gap, Virginia?
Big Stone Gap, Virginia has a population of 5,162 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Stone Gap, VA?
The median household income in Big Stone Gap is $54,581, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Stone Gap, VA?
The poverty rate in Big Stone Gap is 26.2%. This means approximately 981 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Stone Gap, Virginia?
Big Stone Gap's population is 76.5% White, 16.2% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Stone Gap, VA?
The median home value in Big Stone Gap is $163,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Big Stone Gap, Virginia?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Big Stone Gap hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.