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Appalachia, VA
Town in Wise County, Virginia.
Population
1,391
Land area
3.4sq mi
People per sq mi
404
ZIP codes
0
Appalachia and its ZIP codes
Appalachia at a glance
- Appalachia is 83% denser than Virginia as a whole.
- The median household income is $43,068, 54% below the Virginia median of $93,170.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $67,100 (83% below Virginia) and median rent is $766 a month.
Local data for Appalachia, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Appalachia, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$43,068
Poverty rate
28.3%
Median home value
$67,100
Median rent
$766/mo
Homeownership
70.8%
Bachelor's or higher
18.2%
Median age
43.3
Average commute
22.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (200), Irish Americans (195), Scottish Americans (38).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Wise County. PPP loans are for Appalachia.
Unemployment rate
4.9%
Aug 2026, +0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$48,431
10,958 jobs, 2025
Federal spending
$331M
FY 2026, $9,167 per person
How people get to work
Appalachia, VA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.0%
- Carpooled3.5%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home12.4%
Average one-way commute: 22.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Appalachia, VA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
370
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
154
1.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 24°F
56.0 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Appalachia, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
47.4%
U.S. 33.3% +14.1 pts
Diabetes
18.0%
U.S. 12.1% +5.9 pts
Smoking
25.4%
U.S. 12.8% +12.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
12.7%
U.S. 11.1% +1.6 pts
Cities near Appalachia
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Stone GapTown | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Big Stone Gap EastCensus-designated place | 2.7 mi | 0.5 |
| East Stone GapCensus-designated place | 3.3 mi | 0.5 |
| StonegaCensus-designated place | 3.7 mi | 0.6 |
| OsakaCensus-designated place | 4 mi | 0.4 |
| DunbarCensus-designated place | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| KeokeeCensus-designated place | 7.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Lynch, KYCity | 7.9 mi | 0.3 |
| NortonCity | 8.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Benham, KYCity | 10 mi | 0.2 |
| DrydenCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 7.1 |
| DuffieldTown | 13 mi | 0.6 |
| Cumberland, KYCity | 13 mi | 3.1 |
| WiseTown | 13 mi | 3 |
| The University of Virginia's College at WiseCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 0.4 |
| TacomaCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 0.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Appalachia, VA in?
- Appalachia is in Wise County, Virginia.
- What is the population of Appalachia, VA?
- About 1,391 people live in Appalachia, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Appalachia?
- Nearby places include Big Stone Gap (2.5 mi), Big Stone Gap East (2.7 mi), East Stone Gap (3.3 mi), Stonega (3.7 mi), Osaka (4 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023