Norton: Economy & Jobs
Norton reports a median household income of $41,495 (about the same as Norton city median $41,495; 2.2× below Virginia median $93,170), with homes at a median value of $110,000. The surrounding county supports 3,064 jobs (avg $45,715).
- $50,964 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Virginia $92,983).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $41,495 — below the Virginia median ($92,968). Poverty rate 26.3% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 38% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 2.7× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 19.4% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 37.7% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 26.3% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 1.9% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $1,650 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $84,091 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $50,964 (vs Virginia $92,983) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $43,868 |
| Median Household Income | $41,495 (vs Virginia $92,968) |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Professional |
| Economic Character · Income Level | working-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $41,495 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.8% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 18% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 18.5% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 3,064 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $140,087,196 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $45,715 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,981,130 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.8% (vs Virginia 2.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 196 |
|---|---|
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 4,143 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 231,990 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 4 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Law Offices | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Physician Offices | 18 |
| Local Businesses · Dental Offices | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Hotels Motels | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 10 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 13 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (5)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | BLACK DIAMOND 24 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 13 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | WISE COUNTY VIRGINIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $31,271,876 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 8,481.66 (vs Virginia $14,580) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 3,687 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 71.9% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 1.4% |
| Pct Walked | 18.5% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 41.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 45.4% |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | good |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12