We see it all the time – visitors fall in love with Wise County and become lifelong residents! If you think living life on mountain time might suit you, too, read on! Whether you are in the market for a new home, looking for your next career or to launch your own business, ready to retire to the mountains or just longing for a safe and friendly place for your family to call home, Wise County is the place for you.

Quick facts and resources on local real estate, education, healthcare, community information, and remote work potential are provided below. Take a look around – we think you’ll agree that Wise County is the perfect place to “stay for a lifetime.” We can’t wait to call you our neighbor!

Population

  • 37,383 (Wise County)

  • 3,007 (Wise, VA)

  • 5,257 (Big Stone Gap, VA)

  • 878 (Pound, VA)

  • 1,444 (Appalachia, VA)

  • 1,567 (Coeburn, VA)

  • 1,008 (St. Paul, VA)

  • Weather Highlights

  • Summer High: the July high is around 83 degrees

  • Winter Low: the January low is 22

  • Rain: averages 49 inches of rain a year

  • Snow: averages 29 inches of snow a year

  • Wise County is located in southwestern Virginia, near both the Tennessee and Kentucky borders.

  • U.S. Highway 23 and U.S. Highway 58 intersect in the County and provide convenient access to I26, I81, I75, and I77, making over 70% of the U.S. population within a day’s drive.

  • Tri-Cities airport serves the region out of Blountville, TN and can be reached in a little more than an hour’s drive.

  • Available Labor Workforce: Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) show 13,194 persons available in Wise County
  • Unemployment Rate: VEC reported a March 2022 Unemployment Rate of 3.4%
  • Average per Capita Income: $21,500
  • Business Fees: No County Business License Requirement, No County Business Tax
  • Real Property & Tangible Personal Property Tax: Wise County Real Property tax is $0.69 per $100 assessed value and the Tangible Personal Property tax is $1.65 per $100 assessed value
  • Local Sales Tax: 1%

  • Low cost of living (see for yourself on BestPlaces)

  • Outstanding public & higher education systems

  • Nationally recognized healthcare system

  • Easy transportation access & minimal traffic congestion

  • Vibrant cultural arts, music, and artisan community

  • Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities

  • Growing and supportive small business network

  • County-wide, high speed broadband connectivity