Wise is a town located in Wise County Virginia. Wise has a 2024 population of 2,860. It is also the county seat of Wise County. Wise is currently declining at a rate of -1.04% annually and its population has decreased by -3.96% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 2,978 in 2020.
The average household income in Wise is $53,089 with a poverty rate of 22.41%. The median age in Wise is 41.4 years: 38.5 years for males, and 42.9 years for females.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Wise was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
|---|---|---|
| White | 2,645 | 89.3% |
| Two or more races | 223 | 7.53% |
| Asian | 57 | 1.92% |
| Black or African American | 37 | 1.25% |
| Native American | 0 | 0% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0 | 0% |
| Other race | 0 | 0% |
White
Two or more races
Asian
Black or African American
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Other race
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1,397 | 2.09 | 57.8 | 42.2 |
| Non Family | 705 | 1.16 | 47.9 | 52.1 |
| Married | 469 | 2.8 | 76.3 | 23.7 |
| Female | 139 | 3.79 | 19.4 | 80.6 |
| Male | 84 | 3.13 | 100 | 0 |
2.83
Average Family Size
2.09
Average Household Size
57.8%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 9th to 12th Grade | 206 | 9.87% |
| Associates Degree | 158 | 7.57% |
| Bachelors Degree | 200 | 9.58% |
| Graduate Degree | 388 | 18.59% |
| High School Graduate | 573 | 27.46% |
| Less Than 9th Grade | 122 | 5.85% |
| Some College | 440 | 21.08% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 1,923 | 1,595 | 443 |
| 2+ Races | 118 | 118 | 99 |
| Hispanic | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| Asian | 46 | 46 | 46 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among asian people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 100%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelors Degree | $32,130 | $30,139 | $51,369 |
| Graduate Degree | $73,962 | $106,210 | $73,510 |
| High School Graduate | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less Than 9th Grade | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Overall | $41,792 | $30,185 | $50,417 |
| Some College | $29,028 | $0 | $29,028 |
$41,792
Average Earnings
$30,185
Average Male
$50,417
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
94.34% of Wise residents speak only English, while 5.66% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 4.25% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 2,552 | 643 | 25.2% |
22.41%
Overall Poverty Rate
23.68%
Male Poverty Rate
20.95%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Wise is White, with 25.2% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Wise is White, with 25.2% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 3.63%. Among those working part-time, it was 26.03%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 30.39%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Less Than 9th Grade | 32.32% |
| High School | 27.92% |
| Some College | 20.4% |
| Bachelors or Greater | 0% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Male Unemployed | 62.75% |
| Male Employed | 14.61% |
| Female Employed | 9.73% |
| Female Unemployed | 0% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Families | $45,686 | $60,578 |
| Households | $42,944 | $53,089 |
| Married Families | $46,181 | $-999,999,999 |
| Non Families | $34,250 | $44,190 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
37.9%
Overall Marriage Rate
36.9%
Male Marriage Rate
38.9%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 55-64.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
112
Number of Veterans
112
Male Veterans
0
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
|---|---|
| First Gulf War | 65 |
| Vietnam | 53 |
| Second Gulf War | 0 |
| Korea | 0 |
| World War II | 0 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
|---|---|
| 55 to 64 | 45 |
| 35 to 54 | 32 |
| 65 to 74 | 20 |
| 75+ | 15 |
| 18 to 34 | 0 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| White | 112 | 5.03% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
0%
Veteran Poverty Rate
56.25%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
50.5%
Labor Force Participation
48.4%
Employment Rate
4.2%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
62.09%
Born in Wise
93.18%
Native Born
6.82%
Foreign Born
3.98%
Non Citizen
2.84%
Naturalized
93.18% of Wise residents were born in the United States, with 62.09% having been born in Virginia. 3.98% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 2,713 | -30 | -1.09% |
| 2028 | 2,743 | -29 | -1.05% |
| 2027 | 2,772 | -29 | -1.04% |
| 2026 | 2,801 | -30 | -1.06% |
| 2025 | 2,831 | -29 | -1.01% |
| 2024 | 2,860 | -30 | -1.04% |
| 2023 | 2,890 | -17 | -0.58% |
| 2022 | 2,907 | -34 | -1.16% |
| 2021 | 2,941 | -37 | -1.24% |
| 2020 | 2,978 | 73 | 2.51% |
| 2019 | 2,905 | -38 | -1.29% |
| 2018 | 2,943 | -48 | -1.6% |
| 2017 | 2,991 | -48 | -1.58% |
| 2016 | 3,039 | -42 | -1.36% |
| 2015 | 3,081 | -37 | -1.19% |
| 2014 | 3,118 | -56 | -1.76% |
| 2013 | 3,174 | -29 | -0.91% |
| 2012 | 3,203 | -27 | -0.84% |
| 2011 | 3,230 | -8 | -0.25% |
| 2010 | 3,238 | 0 | 0% |
| 2000 | 3,255 | 62 | 1.94% |
| 1990 | 3,193 | -701 | -18% |
| 1980 | 3,894 | 1,003 | 34.69% |
| 1970 | 2,891 | 277 | 10.6% |
| 1960 | 2,614 | -99 | -3.65% |