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Wise, VA
Town in Wise County, Virginia.
Population
2,916
Land area
3sq mi
People per sq mi
960
ZIP codes
0
Wise and its ZIP codes
Wise at a glance
- Wise is about 4.4 times as dense as Virginia as a whole.
- The median household income is $53,596, 42% below the Virginia median of $93,170.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $144,700 (62% below Virginia) and median rent is $825 a month.
Local data for Wise, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Wise, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$53,596
Poverty rate
12.5%
Median home value
$144,700
Median rent
$825/mo
Homeownership
71.3%
Bachelor's or higher
25.2%
Median age
36.5
Average commute
19.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (189), German Americans (185), Italian Americans (73).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Wise County. PPP loans are for Wise.
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
Wise, VA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone69.6%
- Carpooled6.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked3.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.6%
- Worked from home18.5%
Average one-way commute: 19.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wise, 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
81° / 25°F
51.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wise, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
40.2%
U.S. 33.3% +6.9 pts
Diabetes
13.5%
U.S. 12.1% +1.4 pts
Smoking
16.1%
U.S. 12.8% +3.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.7%
U.S. 11.1% -2.4 pts
Cities near Wise
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Virginia's College at WiseCensus-designated place | 1.2 mi | 0.4 |
| TacomaCensus-designated place | 3.7 mi | 0.5 |
| NortonCity | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| RiverviewCensus-designated place | 6 mi | 0.6 |
| CoeburnTown | 6.4 mi | 2 |
| DunbarCensus-designated place | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| PoundTown | 10 mi | 2.6 |
| Big Stone Gap EastCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 0.5 |
| East Stone GapCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.5 |
| StonegaCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.6 |
| DungannonTown | 12 mi | 0.4 |
| AppalachiaTown | 13 mi | 3.4 |
| Payne Gap, KYCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.3 |
| OsakaCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 0.4 |
| Big Stone GapTown | 14 mi | 4.8 |
| ClintwoodTown | 14 mi | 2.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wise, VA in?
- Wise is in Wise County, Virginia.
- What is the population of Wise, VA?
- About 2,916 people live in Wise, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wise?
- Nearby places include The University of Virginia's College at Wise (1.2 mi), Tacoma (3.7 mi), Norton (4.6 mi), Riverview (6 mi), Coeburn (6.4 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023