The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Virginia had a total population of 489, the 480th largest community in Virginia. The poverty rate is 65.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (65.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
The University of Virginia's College at Wise Quick Facts
How The University of Virginia's College at Wise 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 | 538 | 489 | -9.1% |
How The University of Virginia's College at Wise 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+)
The University of Virginia's College at Wise 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 |
| Stonega | 151 | $39,712 | 0.0% | $63,900 |
Cities Similar to The University of Virginia's College at Wise
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burkeville | 488 | N/A | $88,300 | 21.6% | 10.4% |
| Hot Springs | 487 | $104,545 | $260,100 | 15.7% | 16.4% |
| Gasburg | 485 | $77,917 | $323,800 | 39.4% | 14.6% |
| Linville | 484 | N/A | $327,800 | 0.0% | 0.6% |
| Urbanna | 495 | $62,917 | $403,700 | 43.9% | 7.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 489, The University of Virginia's College at Wise'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
The University of Virginia's College at Wise is a small community located in Virginia, within Wise County. The total population is 489. It ranks as the 480th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in The University of Virginia's College at Wise is 19.5 years. This is 50% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 2.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 65.6%. This is 563% 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 3.8%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in The University of Virginia's College at Wise was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in The University of Virginia's College at Wise is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.6%. The Black or African American population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 18.3%.
Education
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for The University of Virginia's College at Wise, 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 The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Virginia?
The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Virginia has a population of 489 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in The University of Virginia's College at Wise, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for The University of Virginia's College at Wise — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in The University of Virginia's College at Wise, VA?
The poverty rate in The University of Virginia's College at Wise is 65.6%. This means approximately 42 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Virginia?
The University of Virginia's College at Wise's population is 78.9% White, 8.6% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in The University of Virginia's College at Wise, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for The University of Virginia's College at Wise — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.