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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wise

Virginia · 2,971 residents · 3.038 sq mi
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The short version

Wise has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,832. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $113,800. Households here earn about 45% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.7
US median: 38.8
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,971
−9%since 2000
from 3,255 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
978 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 1,071 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.7
+12%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Wise
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,832
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,531 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,151
+39%since 2000
from $18,760 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.8%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing2.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Retail trade2.3%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$113,800
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$628
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $354 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 65.7% in 2000
41.8% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+11%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wise on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(3,080)
Black1.9%(63)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(46)
Asian1.1%(37)
Other0%
Diversity Score11%(357)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(2,771)
Black1.1%(34)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(37)
Asian1.1%(33)
Other0.8%(25)
Diversity Score10.8%(322)
Diversity Score
11
−1%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.4%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 23.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.8%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
18.2%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.1 min
+38%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.8%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 89.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 7.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.5%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 58.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
52.5%
−16.7 ptssince 2009
from 69.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
4.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.2%
−76.6 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wise

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Pop 3,011
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Pop 3,157
East Bronson
Pop 2,649
De Leon Springs
Pop 2,687
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Compare Wise to nearby cities

WISE VS
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Income$52,317+25%
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WISE VS
Kingsport
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WISE VS
Bristol
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WISE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wise, Virginia?

Wise, Virginia has about 2,971 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wise, Virginia?

The typical household in Wise, Virginia earns about $41,832 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wise, Virginia expensive?

In Wise, Virginia, the median home is worth about $113,800, and the typical rent is about $628 a month.

How educated are people in Wise, Virginia?

About 31.4% of adults age 25 and over in Wise, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wise, Virginia?

About 18.8% of people in Wise, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wise, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Wise, Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 222 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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