Wise County: Demographics & People
Wise County is home to 35,448 people, in 13,905 households. Median age 41.8 years. (4.0y older than Virginia). Population is 5% Black and 1% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 237 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 35,448; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 35,448 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 14,910 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 41.8y is 2.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 35,448 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 6,766 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 7,679.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 13,957.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 7,046 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 19.1% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 21.7% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 39.4% |
| Median age | 41.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 35,448 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 35,448 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 31,982 |
| Black residents | 1,724 |
| Asian residents | 112 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 102 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 359 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 1,169 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 509 |
| Diversity Index | 18.2% |
| Asian population | 0.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 4.9% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.4% (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). 19.7% are foreign-born — above the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 35,448 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 34,909 |
| Residents born in this state | 24,422 |
| Residents born in another state | 10,264 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 6,971 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 817 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 223 |
| Foreign-born residents | 19.7% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
13,905 households.
| Family households | 9,367 households (at Virginia median) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 13,905 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 237 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| 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 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 | 33,038 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 9,083 |
| Pct With Disability | 27.5% |
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 | 3,043 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 35,273 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 31,161 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 2,312 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 1,072 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 665 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 63 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 4,112 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 11.7% |
| Pct White | 90.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29