1st Advantage MortgageThe median Dickenson County household earns $47,254, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Dickenson County
- Renting and owning in Dickenson County
- How much Dickenson County households make
- The Dickenson County job picture
- Counties near Dickenson County
- Dickenson County towns compared
- Budget math at the Dickenson County median
- Dickenson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Dickenson County borrowers
- Virginia rules that apply in Dickenson County
- A Dickenson County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Dickenson County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Dickenson County
Dickenson County is home to about 13,733 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 103rd most populous of 133 county-level areas in Virginia. Spread over 330 square miles, that works out to roughly 41.6 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Clintwood is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 1,400 people (10% of the county total).
Renting and owning in Dickenson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $738 in Dickenson County versus $1,579 statewide. By the Census definition, 48% of Dickenson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $102,700, or 2.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 76%.
| Dickenson County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $738/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $102,700 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 25% | n/a |
Because most Dickenson County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
How much Dickenson County households make
Dickenson County households have a median income of $47,254 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 125th of 133 in Virginia.
| Household income | Dickenson County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.3% | +23.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.7% | +6.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.8% | -14.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.2% | -15.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 17% of Dickenson County households make $100,000 or more, and 41% make less than $35,000. Census counts 17.3% of Dickenson County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.434 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $47,254 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Dickenson County job picture
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 9% locally and 1% for Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 22% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.6% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Dickenson County workers | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.7% | +4.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.8% | -5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +1.8 pts |
| Public administration | 9.1% | +0.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.5% | +7.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Dickenson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Counties near Dickenson County
Distances run center to center, from Wise County at 19 miles out to Letcher County at 28. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Dickenson County; Wise County is highest at $52,943 and Norton city lowest at $41,495. The list crosses into Kentucky, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickenson County | - | $47,254 | $738/mo | 76% |
| Wise County, VA | 19 mi | $52,943 | $790/mo | 74% |
| Buchanan County, VA | 19 mi | $42,886 | $743/mo | 83% |
| Russell County, VA | 20 mi | $50,012 | $653/mo | 76% |
| Norton city, VA | 21 mi | $41,495 | $692/mo | 50% |
| Pike County, KY | 24 mi | $44,312 | $858/mo | 75% |
| Letcher County, KY | 28 mi | $41,793 | $669/mo | 74% |
Dickenson County towns compared
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Dickenson County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 2,395 people, so roughly 83% of residents live outside any named place. No Dickenson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clintwood | town | 1,400 | $52,083 | $714 | 6 mi |
| Haysi | town | 519 | $31,833 | $531 | 6 mi |
| Clinchco | town | 268 | $42,000 | $840 | 1 mi |
| Breaks | CDP | 208 | $125,938 | n/a | 12 mi |
Budget math at the Dickenson County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Dickenson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,938 before taxes
- 19% goes to median rent ($738)
- At 40%, room after rent is $837 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Dickenson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Dickenson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 10% of adults over 25. 4.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Dickenson County | Virginia statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.1% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.1% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.3% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Dickenson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 12.6% |
What the numbers mean for Dickenson County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Dickenson County borrowers.
- Keeping the car running. At 22% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Dickenson County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 28% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fixed incomes. Dickenson County's median age is 46.1. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Virginia rules that apply in Dickenson County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Dickenson County, check the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
A Dickenson County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Dickenson County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Dickenson County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Dickenson County household make?
About $47,254 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 49% below the Virginia median.
Is Dickenson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $738 against $1,579 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Dickenson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Dickenson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Dickenson County?
By population: Clintwood, Haysi, Clinchco, Breaks. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Will a Dickenson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.