Smyth County: Demographics & People
About 29,420 people live in Smyth County, in 12,659 households. Median age 46.4 years. (8.6y older than Virginia). Population is 2% Hispanic or Latino and 2% Black. County is gaining 694 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 73 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 29,420; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 29,420 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 14,347 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 46.4y is 7.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 29,420 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 5,665 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 5,532.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 11,461.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 6,762 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 19.3% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 18.8% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 39.0% |
| Median age | 46.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 29,420 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 29,420 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 27,843 |
| Black residents | 628 |
| Asian residents | 23 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 18 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 10 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 126 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 772 |
| Diversity Index | 10.3% |
| Asian population | 0.1% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 2.1% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.1% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 14.4% are foreign-born — near the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 29,420 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 28,996 |
| Residents born in this state | 22,501 |
| Residents born in another state | 6,387 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 4,229 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 416 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 108 |
| Foreign-born residents | 14.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
12,659 households.
| Family households | 7,829 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 12,659 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 694 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 23,811 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 23,117 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 694 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 28,760 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 6,643 |
| Pct With Disability | 23.1% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 753 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 29,221 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 26,969 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 1,380 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 415 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 449 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 8 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 2,252 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 7.7% |
| Pct White | 94.6% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29