Dunbar, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunbar, Virginia had a total population of 115, the 617th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $14,527, which is 84% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 85.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 84% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (85.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Dunbar Quick Facts
How Dunbar 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 | 51 | 115 | +125.5% |
| Median household income | $14,420 | $14,527 | +0.7% |
How Dunbar 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+)
Dunbar 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Dunbar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperanceville | 115 | N/A | N/A | 39.1% | 29.6% |
| Midland | 122 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Millboro | 108 | N/A | N/A | 1.8% | 25.9% |
| Free Union | 124 | N/A | $1,527,400 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Savageville | 124 | N/A | N/A | 33.3% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 115, Dunbar's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dunbar is a small community located in Virginia, within Wise County. The total population is 115. It ranks as the 617th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunbar is 71.5 years. This is 83% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dunbar is $14,527. This is 84% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 82% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 85.2%. This is 762% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Dunbar, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 38.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dunbar is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.9% of the population.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, Virginia?
Dunbar, Virginia has a population of 115 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunbar, VA?
The median household income in Dunbar is $14,527, which is 82% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunbar, VA?
The poverty rate in Dunbar is 85.2%. This means approximately 98 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunbar, Virginia?
Dunbar's population is 73.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunbar, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Dunbar — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Dunbar, Virginia?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Dunbar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.