Big Stone Gap East: Demographics & People
Big Stone Gap East's population stands at 567 people, in 265 households. Population grew 31.9% from 430 (2022) to 567 (2024). Median age 55.2 years. (13.4y older than Wise County; 17.4y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 8% of the population. Population is 95% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 54% of households are family-led. County is gaining 237 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 46% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 36 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 31.9% from 430 (2022) to 567 (2024) — about 53.1× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~762 (extrapolated at 15.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,081.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 36,130 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 31.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 430 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 567 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 567 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,081 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 55.2y is 16.3 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 8% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 55.2 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 8.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 567 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 46 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 91.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 325.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 105 |
| Population under 18 | 46 |
| Median age | 55.2 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 567 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 | 415 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 95.4% (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 (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 327 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 240 |
| Share born in this state | 57.7% |
| Share born in another state | 42.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 42.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 644 |
Households & Family Composition
265 households. Averaging 1.8 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 54% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 116 families, 6% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 32 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 116 |
| Married couples with children | 7 |
| Average household size | 1.84 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 29.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 29 |
| Family households | 142 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 53.6% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 265 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. 9.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 237 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 27,380 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 27,143 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 237 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
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.
| Residents with a disability | 143 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 21.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-09 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51195 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 195 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Wise |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 34.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 29.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 40.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51195 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Wise County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,269 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51195 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Wise County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 61.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 50.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 35.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 37,383 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 7.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 12 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 8.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 567, booming, retirement community, lower-income, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 567 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Wise County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade