Wise, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wise, Virginia had a total population of 2,916, the 244th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $53,596, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Wise Quick Facts
How 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 | 2,940 | 2,916 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $44,234 | $53,596 | +21.2% |
| Median home value | $118,100 | $144,700 | +22.5% |
How 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+)
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 |
| 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 |
| Stonega | 151 | $39,712 | 0.0% | $63,900 |
Cities Similar to Wise
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsville | 2,864 | $58,000 | $159,000 | 14.8% | 22.4% |
| Merrimac | 2,733 | $53,611 | N/A | 45.9% | 12.6% |
| Lebanon | 3,116 | $53,050 | $162,400 | 19.1% | 17.8% |
| Timberville | 3,036 | $59,909 | $231,000 | 9.5% | 17.1% |
| Elkton | 3,006 | $62,031 | $246,800 | 17.6% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Wise is a small community located in Virginia, within Wise County. The total population is 2,916. It ranks as the 244th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wise is 36.5 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wise is $53,596. This is 42% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $144,700. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Wise is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wise has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.4% vs 58.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Wise, Virginia?
Wise, Virginia has a population of 2,916 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wise, VA?
The median household income in Wise is $53,596, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wise, VA?
The poverty rate in Wise is 12.5%. This means approximately 350 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wise, Virginia?
Wise's population is 95.4% White, 0.0% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wise, VA?
The median home value in Wise is $144,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Wise, Virginia?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Wise hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.