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Big Stone Gap, VA
Town in Wise County, Virginia.
Population
5,162
Land area
4.8sq mi
People per sq mi
1,076
ZIP codes
0
Big Stone Gap and its ZIP codes
Big Stone Gap at a glance
- Big Stone Gap is about 4.9 times as dense as Virginia as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $54,581 a year, 41% less than the Virginia figure of $93,170.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $163,000 (58% below Virginia) and median rent is $797 a month.
Local data for Big Stone Gap, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Big Stone Gap, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$54,581
Poverty rate
26.2%
Median home value
$163,000
Median rent
$797/mo
Homeownership
63.3%
Bachelor's or higher
15.8%
Median age
41.0
Average commute
18.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (411), German Americans (275), Scottish Americans (199).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Wise County. PPP loans are for Big Stone Gap.
Unemployment rate
4.9%
Sep 2026, +0.8 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
Big Stone Gap, VA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone75.3%
- Carpooled10.0%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked8.9%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home5.8%
Average one-way commute: 18.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Big Stone Gap, 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
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Big Stone Gap, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
44.2%
U.S. 33.3% +10.9 pts
Diabetes
14.0%
U.S. 12.1% +1.9 pts
Smoking
18.9%
U.S. 12.8% +6.1 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.8%
U.S. 11.1% +0.7 pts
Cities near Big Stone Gap
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| East Stone GapCensus-designated place | 2.1 mi | 0.5 |
| Big Stone Gap EastCensus-designated place | 2.4 mi | 0.5 |
| AppalachiaTown | 2.5 mi | 3.4 |
| StonegaCensus-designated place | 6.2 mi | 0.6 |
| OsakaCensus-designated place | 6.5 mi | 0.4 |
| KeokeeCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 4.7 |
| DunbarCensus-designated place | 8 mi | 0 |
| NortonCity | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Lynch, KYCity | 9.9 mi | 0.3 |
| DuffieldTown | 10 mi | 0.6 |
| DrydenCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 7.1 |
| Benham, KYCity | 12 mi | 0.2 |
| StickleyvilleCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.9 |
| ClinchportTown | 13 mi | 0.7 |
| WiseTown | 14 mi | 3 |
| Cumberland, KYCity | 14 mi | 3.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Big Stone Gap, VA in?
- Big Stone Gap is in Wise County, Virginia.
- What is the population of Big Stone Gap, VA?
- About 5,162 people live in Big Stone Gap, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Big Stone Gap?
- Nearby places include East Stone Gap (2.1 mi), Big Stone Gap East (2.4 mi), Appalachia (2.5 mi), Stonega (6.2 mi), Osaka (6.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023