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Big Stone Gap East, VA

Virginia

Big Stone Gap East is a small town in Virginia with a population of 430.

2.0 /5.0
C Fair
430 Population 896/sq mi density
$168,100 Home Value
$859 Median Rent 51.0% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 299 sunny days/yr
C
Overall
2.0 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Home Value $168,100
40% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.9%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $859
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.2%
144% higher than US avg

How Big Stone Gap East Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population430
Median Age55.6 yrs
Density896/mi²
Male / Female36% / 64%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans6.5%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$26,526
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty30.2%
Commute44 min

Housing

Home Value$168,100
Rent$859
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units291
Rent Burden51.0%

Health

Obesity41.7%
Uninsured8.9%
Smoking17.4%
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI35 (Good)
Rain56.0 in/yr
Sunny Days299/yr
Elevation1,532 ft (467 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.9%
High School+85.6%
Graduate+9.0%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute44 min
Broadband76.1%

Is Big Stone Gap East a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Stone Gap East receives an overall livability score of 2.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, long commute times, high obesity rates. Big Stone Gap East has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. The poverty rate of 30.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Stone Gap East is $168,100, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $859 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Big Stone Gap East experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 299 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 56.0 inches, including 9.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Big Stone Gap East has a population of 430 with a density of 896 people per square mile. The median age is 55.6 years, 43% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.5%).

Population

430
Total Population
896
People / sq mi
55.6yrs
Median Age
43% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 35.6%
Female 64.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Stone Gap East vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Stone Gap East vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Stone Gap East is N/A. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 30.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes.

Income: Big Stone Gap East vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$26,526
Avg Weekly Wage$879
IRS Avg AGI$50,964

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate30.2%
144% above US avg
Establishments (County)231

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare49
Retail37
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time43.5 min
Drive Alone79.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Stone Gap East is $168,100, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $859 (26% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$168,100
40% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$65
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio72.4%
Price Drops100.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$859
26% below US avg
Rent Burden51.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,137
1 Bedroom$1,181
2 Bedrooms$1,369
3 Bedrooms$1,787
4 Bedrooms$2,126

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.4%
Housing Units291
Median Year Built1992

Property Tax

In Big Stone Gap East, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.9% of residents lack health insurance. 17.4% are current smokers. 28.4% report depression. 26.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Stone Gap East vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure34.8%
Asthma11.8%
COPD7.9%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.4%
24% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity26.6%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress15.0%
Short Sleep35.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured8.9%
3% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.2%
Dental Visits60.8%
Premature Death21,701/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access92.6%
Healthcare Facilities49
Big Stone Gap East has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.0 inches. The area enjoys 299 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.0 inches
47% above US avg
Snowfall9.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,532 ft (467 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density896/sq mi
Coordinates36.8793°N, 82.7433°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS51720
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.6-point margin. 76.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.5%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.9%
65% below US avg
High School+85.6%
Graduate Degree+9.0%
School Test Score5.58
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density896/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access76.1%
Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants30
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute43.5 min
Drive Alone79.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Big Stone Gap, VA 5,193 pop · 2.1 mi Appalachia, VA 1,612 pop · 3.7 mi Norton, VA 3,620 pop · 7.4 mi Wise, VA 2,940 pop · 11.2 mi Coeburn, VA 1,606 pop · 15.8 mi Cumberland, KY 2,234 pop · 15.8 mi Whitesburg, KY 1,998 pop · 17.1 mi Pennington Gap, VA 2,020 pop · 18.2 mi Gate City, VA 1,939 pop · 18.5 mi Weber City, VA 1,478 pop · 20.3 mi Jenkins, KY 1,569 pop · 20.7 mi Mount Carmel, TN 5,504 pop · 22.1 mi St. Paul, VA 1,046 pop · 23.6 mi Bloomingdale, TN 8,840 pop · 24.3 mi
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