1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wythe County household earns $57,745, and 15% 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
- Wythe County by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Wythe County
- How much Wythe County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Wythe County
- Towns and communities in Wythe County
- Regional comparison for Wythe County
- Who lives in Wythe County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Wythe County
- Debt-to-income at Wythe County's medians
- Checklist for Wythe County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Wythe County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wythe County by the numbers
Roughly 28,188 residents live in Wythe County, Virginia, 63rd by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 462 square miles, that is close to 61 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Wythe County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 6 Census places inside Wythe County, Wytheville leads by population with about 8,202; 2 of the 6 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Wythe County
Renters in Wythe County pay a median of $764 a month, 52% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. By the Census definition, 50% of Wythe County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $171,200, a typical Wythe County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. 77% of Wythe County households own their home and 23% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Wythe County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $764/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $171,200 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.0% | 4.3% | n/a |
Because most Wythe 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 Wythe County households make
The median household income in Wythe County is $57,745; statewide it is $93,170, so Wythe County runs 38% below Virginia as a whole.
| Household income | Wythe County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.6% | +14.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.8% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.1% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -14.1 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 15.2% of Wythe County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. For a borrower in Wythe County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Wythe County
The biggest employer of Wythe County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by manufacturing (19%). Manufacturing stands out: 19% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.0% in Wythe County. About 81% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Wythe County | Difference from Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.9% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.3% | +12.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -8.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Wythe County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 42% of Wythe County residents live in one of the 6. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $47,270 in Wytheville to $88,719 in Fort Chiswell. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wytheville | town | 8,202 | $47,270 | $760 | 4 mi |
| Rural Retreat | town | 1,644 | $61,979 | $800 | 11 mi |
| Fort Chiswell | CDP | 821 | $88,719 | $963 | 8 mi |
| Max Meadows | CDP | 599 | $58,781 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Ivanhoe | CDP | 540 | $51,406 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Austinville | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Wythe County
Distances run center to center, from Bland County at 16 miles out to Smyth County at 26. Pulaski County leads the group on income ($62,028), Galax city trails ($38,675), and Wythe County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wythe County | - | $57,745 | $764/mo | 77% |
| Bland County, VA | 16 mi | $61,216 | $644/mo | 86% |
| Grayson County, VA | 19 mi | $47,730 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Galax city, VA | 19 mi | $38,675 | $743/mo | 56% |
| Carroll County, VA | 23 mi | $54,484 | $738/mo | 77% |
| Pulaski County, VA | 23 mi | $62,028 | $813/mo | 73% |
| Smyth County, VA | 26 mi | $49,883 | $731/mo | 71% |
Who lives in Wythe County, in numbers
19% of Wythe County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.0%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| Wythe County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.4% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.8% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.2% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Borrowing situations common in Wythe County
Where the Wythe County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 19% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Debt-to-income at Wythe County's medians
Here is the Wythe County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,812 a month: gross income for a household at the Wythe County median
- Less median rent of $764, which is 16% of it
- $1,305: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Wythe County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checklist for Wythe County applicants
A short checklist for Wythe County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for Wythe County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Wythe County, check the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Wythe County?
$57,745 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $93,170 for Virginia. It ranks 98th of 133 in the state.
How does Wythe County rent compare with Virginia?
$764 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 52% below.
Should Wythe County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Wythe 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 Wytheville?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Wythe County, such as Rural Retreat, Fort Chiswell, Max Meadows.
Can Wythe 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.