Hiwassee: Demographics & People
Hiwassee's population stands at 72 people, in 59 households. Population shrank 13.2% from 83 (2022) to 72 (2024). Median age 67.7 years. (20.9y older than Pulaski County; 29.9y older than Virginia). Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 24% of households are family-led. County is gaining 161 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 1.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 76% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 13.2% from 83 (2022) to 72 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~62 (extrapolated at -6.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 51.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 33,800 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -13.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 83 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 72 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 72 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 51 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 67.7y is 28.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 67.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 72 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 27.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 45 |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 37.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 65 Plus | 62.5% |
| Median age | 67.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 72 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 83 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (3)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 26 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 46 |
| Share born in this state | 36.1% |
| Share born in another state | 63.9% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 63.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 643 |
Households & Family Composition
59 households. Averaging 1.8 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 24% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 29 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 6 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 29 |
| Average household size | 1.84 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 21.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 736 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 194 |
| Family households | 14 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 23.7% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 59 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 5.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 161 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Lived in same home a year ago | 72.0% |
|---|---|
| Moved within the county (past year) | 5.6% |
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 27,654 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 27,493 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 161 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 155 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pulaski |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 30.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 24.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 35.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pulaski County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,550 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pulaski County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 50.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 44.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 29.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 34,027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 72, shrinking, retirement community, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 72 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Pulaski County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade