1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wise County household earns $52,943, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Wise County
- Income in Wise County compared with Virginia
- The Wise County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in Wise County
- Towns and communities in Wise County
- Regional comparison for Wise County
- A Wise County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Wise County
- Wise County households compared
- Checklist for Wise County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Wise County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Wise County
Roughly 35,448 residents live in Wise County, Virginia, 49th by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. It covers 403 square miles of land, or about 88 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Wise County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 13 Census places inside Wise County, Big Stone Gap leads by population with about 5,162; 5 of the 13 are incorporated.
Income in Wise County compared with Virginia
Half of Wise County households take in less than $52,943 a year and half take in more, 43% below the Virginia median of $93,170. That places it 115th among Virginia's 133 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Wise County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.4% | +15.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.5% | +14.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.0% | -14.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.2% | -15.5 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. 17.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.418 here. None of these numbers decides a Wise County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Wise County job picture
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Wise County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 7% locally and 1% for Virginia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 8.2% in Wise County. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. Households without a car make up 9.1% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Where residents work | Wise County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.9% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.2% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Public administration | 8.0% | -0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -9.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.6% | +5.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Rent, home values and ownership in Wise County
Renters in Wise County pay a median of $790 a month, 50% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. By the Census definition, 35% of Wise County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $118,600, a typical Wise County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 74%. Half the housing stock was built before 1980.
| Measure | Wise County | Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $790/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $118,600 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Wise County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Towns and communities in Wise County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Wise County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 14,838 residents, leaving about 58% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. East Stone Gap has the highest median household income on the list ($90,484) and Big Stone Gap East the lowest ($20,938), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $766 in Appalachia to $870 in Big Stone Gap East. No Wise County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Gap | town | 5,162 | $54,581 | $797 | 12 mi |
| Wise | town | 2,916 | $53,596 | $825 | 2 mi |
| Coeburn | town | 1,639 | $55,104 | $860 | 9 mi |
| Appalachia | town | 1,391 | $43,068 | $766 | 10 mi |
| Pound | town | 913 | $32,396 | $775 | 10 mi |
| East Stone Gap | CDP | 683 | $90,484 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Riverview | CDP | 607 | $43,542 | $770 | 8 mi |
| Big Stone Gap East | CDP | 567 | $20,938 | $870 | 9 mi |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | CDP | 489 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
| Stonega | CDP | 151 | $39,712 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Tacoma | CDP | 131 | $47,891 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Dunbar | CDP | 115 | $14,527 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Osaka | CDP | 74 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Regional comparison for Wise County
Norton city is closest, 3 miles from center to center; the sixth, Knott County, is 32 miles off. Russell County leads the group on income ($50,012), Norton city trails ($41,495), and Wise County out-earns 6 of the six. The list crosses into Kentucky, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise County | - | $52,943 | $790/mo | 74% |
| Norton city, VA | 3 mi | $41,495 | $692/mo | 50% |
| Letcher County, KY | 17 mi | $41,793 | $669/mo | 74% |
| Scott County, VA | 18 mi | $46,349 | $699/mo | 77% |
| Dickenson County, VA | 19 mi | $47,254 | $738/mo | 76% |
| Russell County, VA | 29 mi | $50,012 | $653/mo | 76% |
| Knott County, KY | 32 mi | $41,761 | $756/mo | 73% |
A Wise County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Wise County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Wise County: $4,412
- Rent at the median, $790, takes 18% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $975 a month
If your rent is above $790, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Wise County
A few patterns in the Wise County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 29% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Consolidating cards in Wise County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Wise County households compared
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. 6.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Wise County | Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.9% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.1% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.7% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.2% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Wise County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
Checklist for Wise County applicants
A short checklist for Wise County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Virginia borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Wise County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Wise County borrowers answers to the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Virginia: Virginia personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Wise County household make?
About $52,943 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 43% below the Virginia median.
Is Wise County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $790 against $1,579 statewide, and 35% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Big Stone Gap?
Yes, along with the other 12 Census places in Wise County, such as Wise, Coeburn, Appalachia.
Can Wise County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Wise County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Virginia it is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions.