1st Advantage MortgageIn Smyth County, Virginia, the typical household earns $49,883 a year and the typical rent is $731. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Virginia license first.
On this page
- Smyth County by the numbers
- Smyth County housing compared with Virginia
- Income in Smyth County compared with Virginia
- How Smyth County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Smyth County
- The counties around Smyth County
- More Smyth County figures
- Reading the Smyth County data as a borrower
- What a median Smyth County budget can carry
- Virginia rules that apply in Smyth County
- Four steps for Smyth County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Smyth County by the numbers
Roughly 29,420 residents live in Smyth County, Virginia, 59th by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 451 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 65 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 9 Census places inside Smyth County, Marion leads by population with about 5,670; 3 of the 9 are incorporated.
Smyth County housing compared with Virginia
Renters in Smyth County pay a median of $731 a month, 54% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Home values center on $139,600, or 2.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 71%. Median construction year: 1973.
| Smyth County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $731/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $139,600 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.2% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 9% | n/a |
Income in Smyth County compared with Virginia
At $49,883, the typical Smyth County household income is 24% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Smyth County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.0% | +19.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.5% | -12.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -13.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Smyth County households make $100,000 or more, and 37% make less than $35,000. 16.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Smyth County median.
How Smyth County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 22%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 22% locally and 7% for Virginia. The survey's unemployment rate for Smyth County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). About 83% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.5% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Top industries | Smyth County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 22.2% | +15.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -10.0 pts |
| Construction | 5.0% | -1.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Towns and communities in Smyth County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 49% of Smyth County residents live in one of the 9. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $36,635 in Allison Gap to $51,429 in Chilhowie. Rent is cheapest in Saltville ($645) and steepest in Adwolf ($904). Live in one of these Smyth County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | town | 5,670 | $40,896 | $714 | 1 mi |
| Chilhowie | town | 2,428 | $51,429 | $802 | 8 mi |
| Saltville | town | 2,198 | $48,658 | $645 | 13 mi |
| Adwolf | CDP | 1,046 | $44,464 | $904 | 4 mi |
| Atkins | CDP | 985 | $48,500 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Seven Mile Ford | CDP | 644 | $38,003 | $691 | 5 mi |
| Sugar Grove | CDP | 563 | $45,676 | $744 | 10 mi |
| Allison Gap | CDP | 526 | $36,635 | n/a | 14 mi |
| McMullin | CDP | 324 | $68,750 | n/a | 3 mi |
The counties around Smyth County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Smyth County's, from 20 to 30 miles away. Washington County leads the group on income ($64,552), Tazewell County trails ($47,313), and Smyth County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Smyth County resident follows Virginia rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smyth County | - | $49,883 | $731/mo | 71% |
| Tazewell County, VA | 20 mi | $47,313 | $795/mo | 74% |
| Grayson County, VA | 22 mi | $47,730 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Washington County, VA | 24 mi | $64,552 | $854/mo | 76% |
| Wythe County, VA | 26 mi | $57,745 | $764/mo | 77% |
| Ashe County, NC | 28 mi | $56,866 | $859/mo | 79% |
| Bland County, VA | 30 mi | $61,216 | $644/mo | 86% |
More Smyth County figures
17% of Smyth County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 5.5%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Smyth County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.8% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.1% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Smyth County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Reading the Smyth County data as a borrower
What the Smyth County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 16% 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. Smyth County's median age is 46.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
What a median Smyth County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Smyth County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,157 before taxes
- Median rent: $731, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,056 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Smyth County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Virginia rules that apply in Smyth County
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Four steps for Smyth County borrowers
Steps that save money for Smyth County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Smyth County household make?
About $49,883 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 46% below the Virginia median.
Is Smyth County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $731 against $1,579 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Smyth County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Smyth County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Marion?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Smyth County, such as Chilhowie, Saltville, Adwolf.
Does living in Smyth County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Smyth County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.