CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Big Stone Gap

Virginia · 5,254 residents · 4.799 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Big Stone Gap has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,919. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $127,200. The poverty rate of 30.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 48% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,254
+8%since 2000
from 4,856 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,095 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,012 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.0
−2%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K5K6K1990201020202024Big Stone Gap
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,919
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,584 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,284
+75%since 2000
from $13,284 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.8%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
30.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 25.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$127,200
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$634
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $333 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.7%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 64.7% in 2000
41.3% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+3%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Stone Gap on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(4,536)
Black4.4%(214)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(29)
Asian0.4%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.1%(637)
2020
White, non-Hispanic77.3%(4,061)
Black16.9%(889)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(87)
Asian0.4%(20)
Other1.7%(92)
Diversity Score43.4%(2,282)
Diversity Score
43
+231%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
77.0%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 66.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.8 min
+54%since 2000
from 15.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.9%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
36.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 37.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
50.4%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
59.6%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
Female
40.4%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.8%
−70.8 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Big Stone Gap

Brookridge
Pop 4,923
Fellsmere
Pop 5,025
Jan Phyl
Pop 5,708
Fussels Corner
Pop 5,682
Places similar to Big Stone Gap
Head to head

Compare Big Stone Gap to nearby cities

BIG STONE GAP VS
Bloomingdale
Income$52,317+31%
Home value$165,500+30%
Population9,292+82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG STONE GAP VS
Kingsport
Income$52,490+31%
Home value$234,100+84%
Population57,530+1028%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG STONE GAP VS
Bristol
Income$58,162+46%
Home value$194,500+53%
Population28,107+451%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG STONE GAP VS
Bristol
Income$50,404+26%
Home value$184,100+45%
Population16,418+222%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Stone Gap, Virginia?

Big Stone Gap, Virginia has about 5,254 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Big Stone Gap, Virginia?

The typical household in Big Stone Gap, Virginia earns about $39,919 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Stone Gap, Virginia expensive?

In Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the median home is worth about $127,200, and the typical rent is about $634 a month.

How educated are people in Big Stone Gap, Virginia?

About 19.5% of adults age 25 and over in Big Stone Gap, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Stone Gap, Virginia?

About 30.1% of people in Big Stone Gap, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Big Stone Gap, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Big Stone Gap, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 506 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Virginia
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Big Stone Gap with another place

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →