The University of Virginia's College at Wise: Demographics & People
489 people call The University of Virginia's College at Wise home, in 22 households. Population shrank 9.1% from 538 (2022) to 489 (2024). Median age 19.5 years. (22.3y younger than Wise County; 18.3y younger than Virginia). Children under 18 are 2% of the population. Population is 79% White (non-Hispanic) and 9% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.39). County is gaining 237 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 22.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 9.1% from 538 (2022) to 489 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~445 (extrapolated at -4.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 391.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 36,130 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -9.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 538 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 489 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 489 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 391 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 19.5y is 19.4 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 2% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 19.5 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 2.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 489 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 12 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 477.0× |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 2.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 97.5% |
| Population under 18 | 12 |
| Median age | 19.5 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 489 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.39 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 422 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 71 |
| Asian residents | 23 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 35 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 39.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 76.6% |
| Asian population | 5.7% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 8.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.7% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 78.9% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 299 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 190 |
| Share born in this state | 61.1% |
| Share born in another state | 38.9% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 38.9% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 21 |
| From Europe | 11 |
| From Africa | 10 |
Households & Family Composition
22 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5.
| Average household size | 1.99 |
|---|---|
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 584 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 96 |
| Total households | 22 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. 25.4% 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) | 25.4% |
|---|---|
| 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 | 45 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.9% |
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. 425 residents live in group quarters (86.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 425 |
|---|
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 | 2.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 489, shrinking, young community, high crime, heritage: American/Irish |
| Town Summary · Population | 489 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Wise County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade