Smyth County, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Smyth County is located in Virginia with a total population of 29,585. It is the 59th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Smyth County is 46.2 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Smyth County is $46,859. This is 48% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $125,800. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Smyth County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Smyth County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.7% vs 59.0%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 86.1%.