Smyth County, Virginia Demographics 2026
Smyth County, Virginia has a population of 29,585, the 59th most populous county in Virginia. The median household income is $46,859 and the median home value is $125,800. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Smyth County Quick Facts
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: 60 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Smyth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 5,694 | $37,357 | 19.0% | $160,600 |
| Chilhowie | 2,462 | $53,250 | 12.0% | $158,600 |
| Atkins | 1,026 | $46,432 | 9.0% | $77,700 |
| Adwolf | 1,001 | $42,639 | 15.5% | $135,500 |
| Sugar Grove | 598 | $45,357 | 5.5% | $57,200 |
| Allison Gap | 544 | $24,052 | 39.5% | $69,600 |
| Seven Mile Ford | 528 | $27,716 | 22.7% | $152,700 |
| McMullin | 241 | N/A | 14.1% | $152,800 |
Explore Virginia Rankings
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. The county encompasses 8 Census-designated places.
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. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $78,538. 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%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Smyth County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), with comparisons drawn against Virginia and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Smyth County, Virginia?
Smyth County has a population of 29,585, making it the 59th most populous county in Virginia.
What is the median income in Smyth County?
The median household income in Smyth County is $46,859 with a poverty rate of 16.5%.
How many cities are in Smyth County, Virginia?
Smyth County contains 8 Census-designated places.