St. Paul, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Paul, Virginia had a total population of 963, the 389th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $33,000, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
St. Paul Quick Facts
How St. Paul 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 | 1,046 | 963 | -7.9% |
| Median household income | $29,554 | $33,000 | +11.7% |
| Median home value | $178,800 | $176,100 | -1.5% |
How St. Paul 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+)
St. Paul 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 |
| 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 St. Paul
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keysville | 988 | $31,442 | $161,100 | 14.6% | 32.1% |
| Arrington | 915 | N/A | $220,600 | 41.0% | 20.8% |
| Pound | 913 | $32,396 | $98,100 | 16.1% | 19.3% |
| Innovation | 1,034 | $31,943 | N/A | 51.2% | 11.9% |
| Accomac | 948 | $45,986 | $251,500 | 11.9% | 9.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 963, St. Paul'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
St. Paul is a small community located in Virginia, within Wise County. The total population is 963. It ranks as the 389th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Paul is 41.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Paul is $33,000. This is 65% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 59% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 212% 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 9.4%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $176,100. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Paul has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.4% vs 58.4%). 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
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Paul, 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 St. Paul, Virginia?
St. Paul, Virginia has a population of 963 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Paul, VA?
The median household income in St. Paul is $33,000, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Paul, VA?
The poverty rate in St. Paul is 30.8%. This means approximately 297 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Paul, Virginia?
St. Paul's population is 96.4% White, 0.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Paul, VA?
The median home value in St. Paul is $176,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is St. Paul, Virginia?
29.5% of adults (25+) in St. Paul hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.