Gate City ZIP Codes — Scott County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Gate City, Virginia and it is 24251. Area code: 276.

ZIP codes

117.16

sq mi land

0.75

sq mi water

276

area code

Gate City, VA ZIP code map

About Gate City, VA

Gate City, Virginia, is a small yet vibrant community located in Scott County, distinguished by its friendly atmosphere and rich history. Nestled in the southwestern part of the state, it offers a unique blend of rural charm and modern conveniences. With a strong sense of community, Gate City serves as a hub for local events and gatherings, inviting visitors to experience its welcoming spirit.

Location & geography

Gate City is positioned in the southwestern region of Virginia, providing residents and visitors with stunning views of the surrounding Appalachian foothills. The city is approximately 17 miles from Kingsport, Tennessee, and around 30 miles from Bristol, Virginia, making it a convenient location for those traveling to and from larger metropolitan areas. Covering a land area of 117.16 square miles, with a water area of 0.75 square miles, Gate City features a mix of rolling hills and waterways, contributing to its picturesque setting.

Community & economy

The character of Gate City can be described as a close-knit, friendly community that prides itself on its Southern hospitality. The local economy primarily revolves around agriculture, healthcare, and retail, providing essential services and products to its residents. Daily life in Gate City is marked by local festivals, community events, and a passion for outdoor activities, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Transportation in Gate City is primarily facilitated by U.S. Route 23, which serves as a major highway connecting the city to other areas of Virginia and beyond. The nearest named airports include the Tri-Cities Airport in Tennessee, which is roughly 30 miles away, offering regional flights to various destinations. Public transit options may be limited, but the city's walkable nature encourages local travel.

History

Gate City was officially founded in the late 18th century, emerging as an important stop on the stagecoach route due to its strategic location. Historically, the economy of Gate City has been supported by agriculture and timber industries, contributing to its growth over the decades. A notable event in the city's history is the establishment of the Scott County seat, which has played a crucial role in the area's governance and development.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Gate City is that it was once a key junction for the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, making it a vital transportation hub in the past. Additionally, Gate City is home to the historic Old Scott County Jail, which adds to its unique charm and rich history.

ZIP codes for Gate City, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24251	Gate City	Scott	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,821

Population

48.5

Median age

$46,105

Median household income

$31,238

Per capita income

$123,900

Median home value

$624

Median monthly rent

77.5%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

2.1%

Unemployment

3,555

Housing units

17.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

105

Under 5

103

166

5–9

162

212

10–14

206

237

15–19

231

251

20–24

245

445

25–34

433

437

35–44

426

529

45–54

515

320

55–59

312

285

60–64

278

567

65–74

552

301

75–84

292

107

85+

104

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,286	16.4%
18 and over	6,535	83.6%
65 and over	1,923	24.6%
Median age	48.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.7%

Two or more races 1.5%

Black or African American 1.5%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	7,568	95.7%
Two or more races	122	1.5%
Black or African American	117	1.5%
Hispanic or Latino	91	1.2%
Other race	14	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 9.3%

$10k–$15k 7.6%

$15k–$25k 15.7%

$25k–$35k 5.9%

$35k–$50k 14.7%

$50k–$75k 16.0%

$75k–$100k 10.9%

$100k–$150k 11.8%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.3%
$10k–$15k	7.6%
$15k–$25k	15.7%
$25k–$35k	5.9%
$35k–$50k	14.7%
$50k–$75k	16.0%
$75k–$100k	10.9%
$100k–$150k	11.8%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$46,105

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.3%

$50k–$100k 24.1%

$100k–$150k 19.2%

$150k–$200k 17.5%

$200k–$300k 17.5%

$300k–$500k 7.7%

$500k–$1M 1.2%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$123,900
Median rent / month	$624
Owner occupied	77.5%
Renter occupied	22.5%
Vacant	20.3%
Single-family detached	81.1%
Large apartment buildings	1.2%
Mobile homes	14.2%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.30

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.5%
2000–2009	8.9%
1990–1999	11.6%
1980–1989	12.7%
1970–1979	10.9%
1960–1969	12.5%
1950–1959	17.7%
1940–1949	7.7%
1939 or earlier	13.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	28.4%
3 bedrooms	54.4%
4 bedrooms	8.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.2%
1 vehicle	24.4%
2 vehicles	41.9%
3 or more	28.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.3%
Electricity	90.5%
Propane / LP gas	4.1%
Fuel oil	2.5%
Wood	1.6%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,680	48.7%
Cohabiting couple	88	2.5%
Male householder, no spouse	649	18.8%
Female householder, no spouse	1,035	30.0%
Households with children under 18	745	21.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,373	39.8%
Average household size	2.27

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.8%	16.1%
Married	50.3%	53.2%
Separated	1.1%	4.2%
Widowed	3.7%	17.1%
Divorced	10.2%	9.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.2%

Some HS, no diploma 6.8%

HS graduate 36.8%

Some college, no degree 22.4%

Associate's degree 11.3%

Bachelor's degree 11.6%

Graduate / professional 6.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.0%
Bachelor's or higher	17.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	33	2.9%
Kindergarten	93	8.3%
Elementary school	465	41.4%
High school	377	33.6%
College / grad school	154	13.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.3%

Manufacturing 16.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.5%

Retail trade 7.9%

Construction 7.7%

Professional & management 7.3%

Finance & real estate 7.0%

Public administration 5.8%

Other services 3.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.0%

Information 3.0%

Wholesale trade 1.4%

Agriculture & mining 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.7%
Service	22.7%
Sales & office	19.5%
Natural resources & construction	12.3%
Production & transportation	14.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.8%
Government	13.9%
Self-employed	3.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	90.4%
Carpool	4.5%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	0.1%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.0

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 12.7%

18 and over 14.1%

Married-couple families 5.0%

Female-led households 17.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.8%
Retirement income	27.8%
Supplemental Security	7.3%
Cash public assistance	2.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.1%
High cholesterol	37.2%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	32.7%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	10.2%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	28.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.1%
Fair or poor health	19.5%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	12.8%
No health insurance	13.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.3%
Visited dentist	58.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.4%
Teeth loss	15.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	485	7.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	30.3%
Under 18	13.1%
18–64 years	29.8%
65 and over	42.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.4%
Public insurance	48.3%
Uninsured under 19	3.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,613	97.3%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,806	99.8%
Born in same state	7,789	99.6%
Born in different state	2,205	28.2%
Foreign born	17	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	15	0.2%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,686	34.3%
French	1,168	14.9%
Italian	565	7.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	51	0.7%
German	16	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.1%
Internet access	83.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Gate City, VA have?

Gate City, VA has one ZIP code: 24251. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.