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Big Stone Gap, VA

Full City Profile · Virginia · Norton city County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,193 Population 1,082/sq mi density
$51,059 Median Income $21,768 per capita
$169,900 Home Value $138,554 Zillow
$823 Median Rent 19.6% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 299 sunny days/yr
77 Violent Crime/100K 1,625 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$51,059 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$169,900 home value, $823/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
77 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Big Stone Gap, VA

At a Glance

Median Income
$51,059
32% below
$21,768 per capita
Home Value
$169,900
40% below
Zillow: $138,554
Median Rent
$823/mo
29% below
19.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
77/100K
80% below
1,625/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
18.8%
44% below
80.9% high school+
Unemployment
2.7%
25% below
15.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
44.4%
38% above
19.3% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
55°F
299 sunny days/yr

How Big Stone Gap Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Big Stone Gap's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
68%
Home Value
60%
Rent
71%
Poverty
128%
Bachelor's
56%
Unemployment
75%
Crime
20%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Big Stone Gap a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 — Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Big Stone Gap residents earn a median household income of $51,059 , which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $21,768. The unemployment rate stands at 2.7% (25% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 231 business establishments, including 30 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Big Stone Gap is $169,900 , 40% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $138,554. Median rent is $823/month, with 19.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 101.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1975.

Safety & Crime

Big Stone Gap reports 77 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 80% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,625/100K. The murder rate is 0.0/100K.

Education

18.8% of adults in Big Stone Gap hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below the national average). 80.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Big Stone Gap has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 56.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Data Overview

People

Population5,193
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density1,082/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans6.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$51,059
Per Capita$21,768
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty15.9%
Avg Weekly Wage$879

Housing

A+
Home Value$169,900
Rent$823
Ownership62.0%
Zillow$138,554
Housing Units1,872
Rent Burden19.6%

Crime

F
Violent77/100K
Property1,625/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault19/100K
Burglary116/100K

Health

Obesity44.4%
Diabetes13.2%
Smoking19.3%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death21,701/100K

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
Sunny Days299/yr
Rain56.0 in/yr
AQI35 (Good)
Elevation1,498 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.8%
High School+80.9%
Graduate+7.5%
School Score5.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute20 min
Broadband84.3%
Internet Speed54 Mbps
EV Stations1

Did You Know?

The median home in Big Stone Gap was built in 1975.
The nearest airport is Foothills Regional (97 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.524 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
18.8% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.