Stonega: Demographics & People
Stonega is home to 151 people, in 69 households. Population shrank 1.9% from 154 (2022) to 151 (2024). Median age 79.4 years. (37.6y older than Wise County; 41.6y older than Virginia). Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 87% of households are family-led. County is gaining 237 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 13% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 1.9% from 154 (2022) to 151 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~148 (extrapolated at -1.0%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 144.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 36,130 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -1.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 154 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 151 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 151 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 144 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 79.4y is 40.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 79.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 151 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 43.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 108 |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 28.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 65 Plus | 71.5% |
| Median age | 79.4 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 151 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 | 154 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 151 |
|---|---|
| Share born in this state | 100.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 644 |
Households & Family Composition
69 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 87% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 63 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Total families | 63 |
|---|---|
| Average household size | 2.14 |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 584 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 96 |
| Family households | 60 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 87.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 69 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. 2.6% 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) | 2.6% |
|---|---|
| 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 | 49 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 32.7% |
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 · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 151, declining, retirement community, working-class, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 151 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Wise County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade